Patent US4987736A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4987736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Lightweight gas turbine engine frame with free-floating heat shield
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1988-12-14
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Granted: 1991-01-29
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Expires: 2008-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A lightweight rigid turbine engine frame incorporates a one piece annular cast outer casing formed with a circumferential polygonal reinforcing section. The outer casing is separated and spaced from an inner ring by a plurality of radially extending spacer struts. The spacer struts are clamped in compression between the inner ring and outer casing by tensioning members such as bolts. A thermally free floating heat shield is mounted to the bolts in a manner which minimizes thermal stresses by avoiding all undesirable constraint of the heat shield by the engine frame.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Ciokajlo
- 👤 Daniel S. Vogt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:31
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D9/00; F01D9/06; F01D9/065; F01D25/00; F01D25/16; F01D25/162; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A frame assembly for a turbine engine comprising: an outer casing serving as an outer structural support member; an inner ring serving as an inner structural support member; a plurality of spacer struts extending between said inner ring and said outer casing; and a compression means for maintaining said spacer struts in substantially constant compression between said inner ring and said outer casing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A frame assembly for a turbine engine comprising: an outer casing serving as an outer structural support member; an inner ring serving as an inner structural support member; a plurality of spacer struts extending between said inner ring and said outer casing; and a compression means for maintaining said spacer struts in substantially constant compression between said inner ring and said outer casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said outer casing comprises a one-piece cast annular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner casing comprises an annular member formed from a plurality of axially separated segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said outer casing is comprises a circumferential reinforcing portion having a polygonal profile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said outer casing is formed with a plurality of slots for receiving and locating said spacer struts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The frame assembly of claim 1, wherein said compression means comprises a plurality of rods radially extending between and interconnecting said inner ring and said outer casing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The frame assembly of claim 6, wherein said plurality of rods comprises a plurality of threaded bolts arranged circumferentially in the pattern of a spoked array between said inner ring and said outer casing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising a heat shield assembly operatively associated with said frame assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The frame assembly of claim 8, wherein said heat shield assembly is mounted on said compression means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The frame assembly of claim 8, wherein said compression means comprises a plurality of rods radially extending between said inner ring and said outer casing, and wherein said heat shield assembly is mounted on said rods.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The frame assembly of claim 8, wherein said heat shield assembly comprises an outer flowpath liner, an inner flowpath liner and a fairing interconnecting said inner and outer flowpath liners.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The frame assembly of claim 11, wherein said heat shield assembly comprises a one-piece brazed assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The frame assembly of claim 11, wherein said heat shield assembly further comprises an impingement baffle provided on said outer flowpath liner.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The frame assembly of claim 8, wherein said heat shield assembly is exclusively supported by said compression means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The frame assembly of claim 8, wherein said heat shield assembly is freely mounted on said compression means to allow said heat shield assembly to thermally expand and contract without constraint.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-01-28 | 1994-07-30 | 1995-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-28 | 1998-07-30 | 1999-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-28 | 2002-07-30 | 2003-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |