Torque loading in component stack assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US12061128B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Torque loading in component stack assembly",
  "abstract": "According to an aspect, a system includes a memory system configured to store a plurality of instructions and a processing system. The processing system is configured to communicate with the memory system and execute the instructions that result in determining an initial torque applied to a component stack, determining an assembly torque and an angle of turn applied to the component stack after the initial torque is applied, and determining a friction value associated with the component stack. Execution of the instructions further result in determining a stack load of the component stack based on the friction value, the assembly torque, and the angle of turn, and outputting an indicator of the stack load.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A system comprising: a memory system configured to store a plurality of instructions; and a processing system configured to communicate with the memory system and execute the instructions that result in: determining an initial torque applied to a component stack, the component stack comprising a plurality of components arranged on a shaft between a stack end integrally formed with the shaft and a stack nut, wherein the initial torque comprises a load torque that closes gaps between the components; determining an assembly torque and an angle of turn applied to the component stack after the initial torque is applied; determining a friction value associated with the component stack, wherein the friction value comprises a friction torque ratio based on the initial torque, the assembly torque, and the angle of turn; determining a stack load of the component stack based on the friction value, the assembly torque, and the angle of turn as a first ratio of the angle of turn relative to a full turn and a stiffness of the component stack to a number of threads per unit distance, and a second ratio of the assembly torque to a difference between the assembly torque and the initial torque, wherein the stack load is determined between the stack end of the component stack and the stack nut, and the first ratio is multiplied by the second ratio; and outputting an indicator of the stack load.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, wherein the friction torque ratio relates the difference between the assembly torque and the initial torque to the angle of turn as scaled by the stiffness of the component stack.",
    "3. The system of claim 2, wherein the friction torque ratio is scaled based on the number of threads per unit distance.",
    "4. The system of claim 1, wherein the component stack is a bearing stack of a gas turbine engine.",
    "5. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator of the stack load is output with respect to target value.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory system and the processing system are integrated with a torque wrench.",
    "7. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory system and the processing system are integrated in an assembly support system.",
    "8. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory system and the processing system are distributed between a torque wrench and an assembly support system.",
    "9. A method comprising: determining, by a processing system, an initial torque applied to a component stack, the component stack comprising a plurality of components arranged on a shaft between a stack end integrally formed with the shaft and a stack nut, wherein the initial torque comprises a load torque that closes gaps between the components; determining, by the processing system, an assembly torque and an angle of turn applied to the component stack after the initial torque is applied; determining, by the processing system, a friction value associated with the component stack, wherein the friction value comprises a friction torque ratio based on the initial torque, the assembly torque, and the angle of turn; determining, by the processing system, a stack load of the component stack based on the friction value, the assembly torque, and the angle of turn as a first ratio of the angle of turn relative to a full turn and a stiffness of the component stack to a number of threads per unit distance, and a second ratio of the assembly torque to a difference between the assembly torque and the initial torque, wherein the stack load is determined between the stack end of the component stack and the stack nut, and the first ratio is multiplied by the second ratio; and outputting, by the processing system, an indicator of the stack load.",
    "10. The method of claim 9, wherein the friction torque ratio relates the difference between the assembly torque and the initial torque to the angle of turn as scaled by the stiffness of the component stack.",
    "11. The method of claim 10, wherein the friction torque ratio is scaled based on the number of threads per unit distance.",
    "12. The method of claim 9, wherein the component stack is a bearing stack of a gas turbine engine.",
    "13. The method of claim 9, wherein the indicator of the stack load is output with respect to target value.",
    "14. The method of claim 9, wherein the processing system is integrated in or distributed between a torque wrench and an assembly support system.",
    "15. A method comprising: calibrating a torque wrench based on thread and stiffness information associated with a component stack prior to assembly; applying an initial torque to a stack nut of the component stack to place a plurality of components of the component stack in contact between a stack end and the stack nut and close gaps between the components, wherein the stack end is integrally formed with a shaft and the components are arranged on the shaft; and applying an assembly torque to the stack nut using the torque wrench until a calibrated force display indicates that a load specification has been met based on a comparison of a stack load of the component stack determined between the stack end of the component stack and the stack nut, wherein the load specification is compared to the stack load that is determined by a processing system based on monitoring the initial torque, the assembly torque, and a turn angle applied to the stack nut as a first ratio of the angle of turn relative to a full turn and a stiffness of the component stack to a number of threads per unit distance and a second ratio of the assembly torque to a difference between the assembly torque and the initial torque, wherein the first ratio is multiplied by the second ratio.",
    "16. The method of claim 15, wherein the calibrated force display is integrated with the torque wrench."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the art of apparatus assembly and, more particularly, to friction correcting of a torque loaded component stack.\n\nDuring assembly of complex mechanical systems, such as a gas turbine engine, multiple components are arranged in one or more stacks. For example, components can be arranged on a shaft with an interference fit and be preloaded during assembly with a targeted torque value. The application of torque to the component stack during assembly can be subject to a wide range of variability based on a combination of intrinsic properties of the components as manufactured and characteristics of the components during assembly. The stack load must be sufficient to keep components of the stack in place, but too high of a load may cause components to prematurely fail or sustain damage. Designing components in a stack to meet a large stack load range may result in oversized components that add weight to the overall system, which in the case of a gas turbine engine, could result in increased fuel consumption.\n\nDisclosed is a system that includes a memory system configured to store a plurality of instructions and a processing system. The processing system is configured to communicate with the memory system and execute the instructions that result in determining an initial torque applied to a component stack, determining an assembly torque and an angle of turn applied to the component stack after the initial torque is applied, and determining a friction value associated with the component stack.",
  "cpc": [
    "G01L 3/101",
    "B25B 23/1427",
    "B25B 27/14",
    "F01D 25/16",
    "F01D 5/005",
    "F01D 5/025",
    "F01D 5/06",
    "F01D 5/066",
    "F02C 7/06",
    "F05D 2230/60",
    "F05D 2230/80",
    "F05D 2240/50",
    "F05D 2260/81",
    "G01L 3/00",
    "G01M 99/008"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F01D 25/16",
    "G01L 3/00",
    "G01L 3/10",
    "G01M 99/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "RTX Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Austin J. Higgins",
    "Ernest Boratgis"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2021-07-08",
  "publication_date": "2024-08-13",
  "grant_date": "2024-08-13",
  "priority_date": "2021-07-08",
  "application_number": "US-202117370437-A",
  "family_id": "82404328",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
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}