Patent · US11859509B2 · B2 · US

Metallic attachment system integrated into a composite structure

(11) Publication number

US11859509B2

(21) Application number

16/395,798

(22) Filing date

2019-04-26

(30) Priority date

2015-12-10

(43) Publication date

2024-01-02

(45) Date of grant

2024-01-02

(51) IPC

B32B 3/06; B32B 3/26; B32B 5/26; C04B 35/80; F01D 25/00; F01D 25/24; F01D 25/26; F01D 25/28; F02K 1/04; F02K 1/80

(52) CPC

F01D Non-positive displacement machines or engines, e.g. steam turbines: 25/26, 25/005, 25/243, 25/28
B32B Layered products, i.e. products built-up of strata of flat or non-flat, e.g. cellular or honeycomb, form: 2260/023, 2260/046, 2262/105, 2605/18, 3/06, 3/266, 5/26
C04B Lime, magnesia; slag; cements; compositions thereof, e.g. mortars, concrete or like building materials; artificial stone {}; ceramics; refractories; treatment of natural stone: 2235/48, 2235/522, 2235/616, 35/14, 35/80
F02K Jet-propulsion plants: 1/04, 1/80
F05D Indexing scheme for aspects relating to non-positive-displacement machines or engines, gas-turbines or jet-propulsion plants: 2230/22, 2230/31, 2230/60, 2260/31, 2300/175, 2300/603, 2300/6033
F16B Devices for fastening or securing constructional elements or machine parts together, e.g. nails, bolts, circlips, clamps, clips or wedges; joints or jointing: 2200/506
Y02T Climate change mitigation technologies related to transportation: 50/60

(73) Assignee

General Electric Co

(72) Inventors

Bernard James Renggli

(54) Title

Metallic attachment system integrated into a composite structure

(57) Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a composite component defining a component aperture extending between a first surface and a second surface. The composite component includes an insert having an insert annular wall positioned in the component aperture. The insert annular wall defines an insert aperture therethrough. An insert flange extends radially outwardly from the insert annular wall and contacts the first surface of the composite component. The insert flange includes a diameter about 1.5 times to about 5 times greater than a smallest diameter of the component aperture defined by the composite component.

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Claims (18)

A composite component defining a component aperture extending between a first surface and a second surface, the composite component comprising an insert, the insert comprising: an insert annular wall positioned in the component aperture, the insert annular wall defining an insert aperture therethrough; and an insert flange extending radially outwardly from the insert annular wall, wherein the insert flange contacts the first surface of the composite component, and wherein the insert flange comprises a diameter about 1.5 times to about 5 times greater than a smallest diameter of the component aperture defined by the composite component, and wherein a bushing is received within the insert aperture, the bushing having a bushing annular wall and a bushing flange extending radially outward from the bushing annular wall, and wherein the diameter of the insert flange is greater than a diameter of the bushing flange; wherein the diameter of the insert flange is about 1.5 times to about 3 times greater than the smallest diameter of the component aperture defined by the composite component.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a metallic superalloy and the composite component comprises a CMC.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein the insert is co-cured with the composite component such that the insert flange and a portion of the insert annular wall are bonded to the first surface of the composite component.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the composite component defines a cavity positioned circumferentially around the component aperture of the composite component, and wherein the insert flange is positioned within the cavity.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein the insert annular wall of the insert has a radially inner surface defining the insert aperture, and wherein the radially inner surface includes a plurality of threads.
The composite component of claim 5, wherein the plurality of threads extend along the entirety of the radially inner surface of the insert annular wall.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein the insert annular wall of the insert has a radially outer surface and the insert flange of the insert has a first surface, and wherein a fillet is positioned between and connects the radially outer surface of the insert annular wall and the first surface of the insert flange.
The composite component of claim 7, wherein the composite component has an annular boss extending therefrom, the annular boss having a curved surface shaped complementary to the fillet of the insert.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein the insert flange of the insert has a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a radially outer surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the radially outer surface has a radius.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein the bushing received within the insert aperture of the insert is oriented such that the bushing flange and the insert flange of the insert are positioned on opposite sides of the composite component.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein the bushing annular wall has a radially outer surface that includes a plurality of threads, and wherein the plurality of threads of the bushing are threadingly engaged with a plurality of threads of the insert annular wall.
The composite component of claim 11, wherein the plurality of threads of the radially outer surface of the bushing annular wall extend along an entirety of the radially outer surface of the bushing annular wall.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein the bushing flange contacts the insert annular wall.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein a spring washer is positioned between the second surface of the composite component and the bushing flange.
The composite component of claim 14, wherein a backer washer is positioned between and directly engages the spring washer and the composite component, and wherein the spring washer directly engages the backer washer and the bushing flange.
The composite component of claim 1, wherein a leaf seal is positioned between and directly engaging the insert flange and a turbine rear frame that is spaced from the composite component.
A composite component defining a component aperture extending between a first surface and a second surface, the composite component comprising an insert, the insert comprising: an insert annular wall positioned in the component aperture, the insert annular wall defining an insert aperture therethrough; and an insert flange extending radially outwardly from the insert annular wall, wherein the insert flange contacts the first surface of the composite component, and wherein the insert flange comprises a diameter about 1.5 times to about 5 times greater than a smallest diameter of the component aperture defined by the composite component, and wherein a bushing is received within the insert aperture, the bushing having a bushing annular wall and a bushing flange extending radially outward from the bushing annular wall, the bushing received within the insert aperture being oriented such that the bushing flange and the insert flange of the insert are positioned on opposite sides of the composite component with the insert flange contacting the composite component and the bushing flange not directly contacting the composite component; wherein the insert comprises a first radius between the insert annular wall and the insert flange, the first radius being less than a length of the insert annular wall, and wherein a radially outer surface of the insert flange comprises a second radius, the second radius being between about 0.05 inches and 0.5 inches.
The composite component of claim 17, wherein the bushing flange contacts the insert annular wall.

Description

The present subject matter relates generally to a gas turbine engine and, more particularly, to an attachment assembly for a gas turbine engine.

Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor section, a combustor section, a turbine section, and an exhaust section. A rotor shaft rotatably couples the compressor section and the turbine section. In this respect, the compressor section compresses air entering the gas turbine engine. This compressed air mixes with fuel in the combustor section to form an air and fuel mixture, which produces hot exhaust gases when ignited. These hot exhaust gases then flow through the turbine section, which extracts kinetic energy therefrom. This, in turn, rotates the rotor shaft, which provides the necessary mechanical energy to the compressor section to compress the incoming air. After flowing through the turbine section, the hot exhaust gases exit the gas turbine engine via the exhaust section.

In particular configurations, the exhaust section may include a center body that couples to a rear frame of the turbine section. The components defining the hot gas path, such as the center body, may be constructed of a ceramic matrix composite (“CMC”) material or another composite material capable of withstanding prolonged exposure to the hot combustion gases. The components positioned radially inward or radially outward from the hot gas path, such as the rear frame of the turbine section, typically experience lower temperatures than the components along the hot gas path. In this respect, these components may be constructed from suitable metallic materials.

Citations (86)

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US7087296B2
EP1316420A1
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CN1570365A
CN101082345A
EP1712803A1
US20070051069A1
US7874059B2
US20100263194A1
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JP2008215465A
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US7878747B2
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Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US11859509B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Metallic attachment system integrated into a composite structure",
  "abstract": "The present disclosure is directed to a composite component defining a component aperture extending between a first surface and a second surface. The composite component includes an insert having an insert annular wall positioned in the component aperture. The insert annular wall defines an insert aperture therethrough. An insert flange extends radially outwardly from the insert annular wall and contacts the first surface of the composite component. The insert flange includes a diameter about 1.5 times to about 5 times greater than a smallest diameter of the component aperture defined by the composite component.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A composite component defining a component aperture extending between a first surface and a second surface, the composite component comprising an insert, the insert comprising: an insert annular wall positioned in the component aperture, the insert annular wall defining an insert aperture therethrough; and an insert flange extending radially outwardly from the insert annular wall, wherein the insert flange contacts the first surface of the composite component, and wherein the insert flange comprises a diameter about 1.5 times to about 5 times greater than a smallest diameter of the component aperture defined by the composite component, and wherein a bushing is received within the insert aperture, the bushing having a bushing annular wall and a bushing flange extending radially outward from the bushing annular wall, and wherein the diameter of the insert flange is greater than a diameter of the bushing flange; wherein the diameter of the insert flange is about 1.5 times to about 3 times greater than the smallest diameter of the component aperture defined by the composite component.",
    "2. The composite component of claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a metallic superalloy and the composite component comprises a CMC.",
    "3. The composite component of claim 1, wherein the insert is co-cured with the composite component such that the insert flange and a portion of the insert annular wall are bonded to the first surface of the composite component.",
    "4. The composite component of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the composite component defines a cavity positioned circumferentially around the component aperture of the composite component, and wherein the insert flange is positioned within the cavity.",
    "5. The composite component of claim 1, wherein the insert annular wall of the insert has a radially inner surface defining the insert aperture, and wherein the radially inner surface includes a plurality of threads.",
    "6. The composite component of claim 5, wherein the plurality of threads extend along the entirety of the radially inner surface of the insert annular wall.",
    "7. The composite component of claim 1, wherein the insert annular wall of the insert has a radially outer surface and the insert flange of the insert has a first surface, and wherein a fillet is positioned between and connects the radially outer surface of the insert annular wall and the first surface of the insert flange.",
    "8. The composite component of claim 7, wherein the composite component has an annular boss extending therefrom, the annular boss having a curved surface shaped complementary to the fillet of the insert.",
    "9. The composite component of claim 1, wherein the insert flange of the insert has a first surface, an opposing second surface, and a radially outer surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and wherein the radially outer surface has a radius.",
    "10. The composite component of claim 1, wherein the bushing received within the insert aperture of the insert is oriented such that the bushing flange and the insert flange of the insert are positioned on opposite sides of the composite component.",
    "11. The composite component of claim 1, wherein the bushing annular wall has a radially outer surface that includes a plurality of threads, and wherein the plurality of threads of the bushing are threadingly engaged with a plurality of threads of the insert annular wall.",
    "12. The composite component of claim 11, wherein the plurality of threads of the radially outer surface of the bushing annular wall extend along an entirety of the radially outer surface of the bushing annular wall.",
    "13. The composite component of claim 1, wherein the bushing flange contacts the insert annular wall.",
    "14. The composite component of claim 1, wherein a spring washer is positioned between the second surface of the composite component and the bushing flange.",
    "15. The composite component of claim 14, wherein a backer washer is positioned between and directly engages the spring washer and the composite component, and wherein the spring washer directly engages the backer washer and the bushing flange.",
    "16. The composite component of claim 1, wherein a leaf seal is positioned between and directly engaging the insert flange and a turbine rear frame that is spaced from the composite component.",
    "17. A composite component defining a component aperture extending between a first surface and a second surface, the composite component comprising an insert, the insert comprising: an insert annular wall positioned in the component aperture, the insert annular wall defining an insert aperture therethrough; and an insert flange extending radially outwardly from the insert annular wall, wherein the insert flange contacts the first surface of the composite component, and wherein the insert flange comprises a diameter about 1.5 times to about 5 times greater than a smallest diameter of the component aperture defined by the composite component, and wherein a bushing is received within the insert aperture, the bushing having a bushing annular wall and a bushing flange extending radially outward from the bushing annular wall, the bushing received within the insert aperture being oriented such that the bushing flange and the insert flange of the insert are positioned on opposite sides of the composite component with the insert flange contacting the composite component and the bushing flange not directly contacting the composite component; wherein the insert comprises a first radius between the insert annular wall and the insert flange, the first radius being less than a length of the insert annular wall, and wherein a radially outer surface of the insert flange comprises a second radius, the second radius being between about 0.05 inches and 0.5 inches.",
    "18. The composite component of claim 17, wherein the bushing flange contacts the insert annular wall."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present subject matter relates generally to a gas turbine engine and, more particularly, to an attachment assembly for a gas turbine engine.\n\nGas turbine engines typically include a compressor section, a combustor section, a turbine section, and an exhaust section. A rotor shaft rotatably couples the compressor section and the turbine section. In this respect, the compressor section compresses air entering the gas turbine engine. This compressed air mixes with fuel in the combustor section to form an air and fuel mixture, which produces hot exhaust gases when ignited. These hot exhaust gases then flow through the turbine section, which extracts kinetic energy therefrom. This, in turn, rotates the rotor shaft, which provides the necessary mechanical energy to the compressor section to compress the incoming air. After flowing through the turbine section, the hot exhaust gases exit the gas turbine engine via the exhaust section.\n\nIn particular configurations, the exhaust section may include a center body that couples to a rear frame of the turbine section. The components defining the hot gas path, such as the center body, may be constructed of a ceramic matrix composite (“CMC”) material or another composite material capable of withstanding prolonged exposure to the hot combustion gases. The components positioned radially inward or radially outward from the hot gas path, such as the rear frame of the turbine section, typically experience lower temperatures than the components along the hot gas path. In this respect, these components may be constructed from suitable metallic materials.",
  "cpc": [
    "F01D 25/26",
    "B32B 2260/023",
    "B32B 2260/046",
    "B32B 2262/105",
    "B32B 2605/18",
    "B32B 3/06",
    "B32B 3/266",
    "B32B 5/26",
    "C04B 2235/48",
    "C04B 2235/522",
    "C04B 2235/616",
    "C04B 35/14",
    "C04B 35/80",
    "F01D 25/005",
    "F01D 25/243",
    "F01D 25/28",
    "F02K 1/04",
    "F02K 1/80",
    "F05D 2230/22",
    "F05D 2230/31",
    "F05D 2230/60",
    "F05D 2260/31",
    "F05D 2300/175",
    "F05D 2300/603",
    "F05D 2300/6033",
    "F16B 2200/506",
    "Y02T 50/60"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B32B 3/06",
    "B32B 3/26",
    "B32B 5/26",
    "C04B 35/80",
    "F01D 25/00",
    "F01D 25/24",
    "F01D 25/26",
    "F01D 25/28",
    "F02K 1/04",
    "F02K 1/80"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "General Electric Co"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Bernard James Renggli"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2019-04-26",
  "publication_date": "2024-01-02",
  "grant_date": "2024-01-02",
  "priority_date": "2015-12-10",
  "application_number": "US-201916395798-A",
  "family_id": "57482338",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US2943661A",
    "US3194292A",
    "US3666910A",
    "EP0027107B1",
    "US4732519A",
    "US4874318A",
    "WO1988007808A1",
    "US5147430A",
    "US5540621A",
    "US4936065A",
    "US5139302A",
    "US5256017A",
    "US5224825A",
    "US5275529A",
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    "US6247256B1",
    "US5709516A",
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    "US5592814A",
    "US5476702A",
    "US5664820A",
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    "US6273805B1",
    "US5800371A",
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    "US5996190A",
    "WO2001042668A1",
    "EP1235987B1",
    "WO2002069867A1",
    "US20020165517A1",
    "US6393610B1",
    "US7087296B2",
    "EP1316420A1",
    "US6641326B2",
    "US6842950B2",
    "US6805486B2",
    "CN1570365A",
    "CN101082345A",
    "EP1712803A1",
    "US20070051069A1",
    "US7874059B2",
    "US20100263194A1",
    "US7624910B2",
    "US8142124B2",
    "US7722317B2",
    "JP2008215465A",
    "US20100126183A1",
    "US8061977B2",
    "WO2009064711A2",
    "US20090126168A1",
    "JP2009204159A",
    "US8617339B2",
    "US7878747B2",
    "US20100036324A1",
    "US8757919B2",
    "EP2703654A1",
    "WO2012147823A1",
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    "US20120296578A1",
    "US20130202450A1",
    "US9133723B2",
    "US8943750B2",
    "US20140003880A1",
    "WO2014022344A1",
    "US20150226083A1",
    "WO2014058502A2",
    "US10100664B2",
    "US20140248146A1",
    "US20150354412A1",
    "US20140360053A1",
    "US9121428B2",
    "JP2015051663A",
    "US9732701B2",
    "US20150322890A1",
    "EP2944776A1",
    "US9784215B2",
    "US20160131083A1",
    "US20160177786A1",
    "US20160326911A1",
    "US10119424B2",
    "US10907508B2",
    "US10995698B2",
    "US11300075B2"
  ]
}

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