Spherical button washer for exhaust duct liner hanger

{
  "publication_number": "US2014047849A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Spherical button washer for exhaust duct liner hanger",
  "abstract": "A hanger for suspending a liner within an exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine comprises a bracket, a washer, a rod and a cap. The bracket is for connection to an exhaust duct liner of a gas turbine exhaust system. The washer is connected to the bracket at a slip joint. The rod is connected to the washer at a ball joint. The cap for is for connecting to an exhaust duct of the gas turbine exhaust system. The cap is connected to the rod.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A hanger for use in a gas turbine engine exhaust system, the hanger comprising: a bracket for connection to an exhaust duct liner of the gas turbine exhaust system; a washer connected to the bracket at a slip joint; a rod connected to the washer at a ball joint; and a cap for connecting to an exhaust duct of the gas turbine exhaust system, the cap connected to the rod. 2. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the bracket comprises: a platform; and a slide bore extending through the platform and to which the washer is connected. 3. The hanger of claim 2 wherein the bracket further comprises: a plurality of legs extending from the platform; and a plurality of feet spaced from the platform by the plurality of legs. 4. The hanger of claim 2 wherein the washer comprises: an first disk adjacent a first side of the platform; a post extending from the first disk through the slide bore; a second disk adjacent a second side of the platform; a post bore extending through the second disk and surrounding the post; wherein the second disk is spaced from the first disk and the slide bore is wider than the post to form the slip joint. 5. The hanger of claim 4 wherein the second disk further comprises a post collar surrounding the post. 6. The hanger of claim 1 wherein: the washer includes a radially outwardly extending spherical button; and the rod includes a radially inwardly extending socket that receives the spherical button to form the ball joint. 7. The hanger of claim 6 wherein the rod comprises: a pair of rod sections each forming a portion of the socket; and a retainer that holds the pair of rod sections together. 8. The hanger of claim 7 wherein the retainer is selected from the group consisting of a cap and a clip. 9. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the rod is threaded into the cap. 10. The hanger of claim 1 wherein the cap comprises: a plate for engaging the exhaust duct; a rod bore extending through the plate; and a collar surrounding the rod bore to receive the rod. 11. A suspension system comprising: an exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine; an exhaust duct liner disposed within the exhaust duct; a rod comprising: a first end having a threaded shaft; and a second end having a socket; a washer comprising: a first plate having a button joined to the socket; and a second plate spaced from the first plate to define a gap; a bracket joined to the exhaust duct liner, the bracket having a slide bore inserted into the gap; and a cap joined to the exhaust duct, the cap having a rod collar that receives the rod. 12. The suspension system of claim 11 wherein the bracket comprises: a platform through which the slide bore extends; a plurality of legs extending from the platform; and a plurality of feet spaced from the platform by the plurality of legs. 13. The suspension system of claim 11 wherein the washer further comprises: a post extending from the first plate opposite the button; a bore extending through the second plate and surrounding the post; and a post collar on the second plate surrounding the bore; wherein the post is joined to the post collar to define the gap. 14. The suspension system of claim 11 wherein the rod comprises: a pair of circumferential rod sections each forming a portion of the socket and the threaded end; and a retainer that holds the pair of rod sections together; wherein the pair of rod sections are threaded into the rod collar. 15. The suspension system of claim 11 wherein the cap comprises: a plate fastened to the exhaust duct; and a bore extending through the plate around which the rod collar is disposed. 16. A method for assembling a suspension system for hanging and exhaust duct liner within an exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine, the method comprising: joining a spherical button to a liner bracket at a slip joint; coupling a socket of a rod to the spherical button; and threading a cap around the rod. 17. The method of claim 16 and further comprising: joining the liner bracket to studs of an exhaust duct liner; and joining the cap to the exhaust duct with fasteners. 18. The method of claim 16 and further comprising: splitting the rod to fit the spherical button into the socket. 19. The method of claim 16 and further comprising: pre-assembling the washer to the bracket by joining opposing plates to opposite sides of the bracket. 20. An exhaust duct liner suspension system comprising: a washer comprising: a first disk comprising; a post bore extending through the first disk; and a rod collar surrounding the post bore; a second disk spaced from the first disk to form a gap, the second disk comprising: a post extending from a first side of the second disk through the post bore and into the rod collar; and a spherical button extending from a second side of the second disk; and a retainer rod comprising a socket coupled to the spherical button, the retainer rod being comprised of a plurality of sections. 21. The exhaust duct liner suspension system of claim 20 and further comprising: a cap coupled to the retainer rod, the cap comprising: a plate for engaging an exhaust duct; a rod bore extending through the plate; and a stiffener collar surrounding the rod bore to retain the plurality of sections."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention relates generally to gas turbine engines and more particularly to exhaust duct liner attachment systems and methods. In gas turbine engines, it is necessary to protect exhaust ducts with an insulating shield in order to prevent heated core gases from damaging the exhaust ducts. Typically, exhaust ducts are made from titanium-based alloys and have temperature limits of approximately 300°-600° F. (˜148.9°-315.6° C.). Exhaust gases, however, reach much higher temperatures. It is, therefore, necessary to line exhaust ducts with a material that is capable of withstanding the peak temperatures of the core gases and that prevents the exhaust duct from reaching its temperature limitations. Exhaust duct liners are typically made from nickel-based alloys, which have temperature limits of approximately 700°-1500° F. (˜371.1°-815.6° C.). In order to alleviate some of the heat from the exhaust gases imparted to the liner, cooling air is passed between the exhaust duct and liner. For example, bypass air is routed between the duct and liner in turbofan engines. Thus, the exhaust duct and liner are subjected to different pressure and temperature gradients, which results in differing deflections and expansions of each body.\n\nIn order to maintain the desired temperature and pressure profile along the exhaust duct and liner, it is desirable to maintain proper spacing between the exhaust duct and liner. The differing pressures, temperatures and functional requirements of the exhaust duct, however, produce three-dimensional forces between the duct and liner, which tend to shift the liner out of alignment.",
  "cpc": [
    "F02K 1/80",
    "F02C 7/20",
    "F02K 1/82",
    "Y10T 29/49323"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B23P 11/00",
    "F02C 7/20",
    "F02K 1/80",
    "F02K 1/82"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "United Technologies Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "George J. Kramer",
    "Jeffrey S. Smith"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-08-15",
  "publication_date": "2014-02-20",
  "priority_date": "2012-08-15",
  "application_number": "US-201213586638-A",
  "family_id": "50099091",
  "cited_by_count": 20,
  "citations": [
    "US3737975A",
    "EP0972905A2",
    "US7017334B2",
    "US20070003411A1",
    "US20080061210A1",
    "US20090293498A1",
    "US20090317175A1"
  ]
}