Case with integral heat shielding

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10012389-B2
Application number	US-201514695244-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 24, 2015
Priority date	May 8, 2014
Publication date	Jul 3, 2018
Grant date	Jul 3, 2018

Abstract

A duct includes an upstream segment and a downstream segment mounted to the upstream segment. A heat shield extends from one of the upstream and downstream segments. A sealing land extends from the other of the upstream and downstream segments, and is configured to engage with the heat shield. The heat shield protects the interface between the upstream and downstream segments of the ducts.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A duct for channeling a flow of a working fluid, comprising: an upstream segment, the upstream segment having an upstream annular portion and an upstream flange, wherein the upstream flange extends radially outward from the upstream segment; a downstream segment, the downstream segment having a downstream annular portion and a downstream flange, wherein the downstream flange extends radially outward from the downstream segment, and the downstream flange is configured to matingly contact the upstream flange so to attach the upstream segment to the downstream segment; and an integrated heat shield, the integrated heat shield being an extension from the upstream segment and extending toward the downstream segment, and the integrated heat shield having an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein the inside surface is in contact with the flow of the working fluid and the outside surface defines an inner boundary of an annular plenum; wherein the upstream segment and the downstream segment each have an inside surface proximate a region where the downstream flange matingly contacts the upstream flange, the upstream segment inside surface and the downstream segment inside surface together defining an outer boundary of the annular plenum; the annular plenum has a radiused plenum end and an open end; wherein the radiused plenum end is in the upstream segment and the open end is in an area proximate the downstream segment; wherein the open end is exposed to the working fluid; and wherein the radiused plenum end is closed, thereby not allowing flow of the working fluid through the annular plenum; and wherein the downstream segment includes a sealing land extending radially inward from the downstream segment and configured to contactingly engage with the outside surface of the integrated heat shield, and a plurality of spring fingers are formed in the integrated heat shield beneath the sealing land.

2. The duct of claim 1 , wherein the upstream segment includes a gusset extending between and attached to the upstream annular portion and the upstream flange.

3. The duct of claim 2 , wherein the gusset includes a plurality of radially extending struts, the plurality of struts defining apertures.

4. The duct of claim 1 , wherein the upstream flange and the downstream flange together define a plurality of bolt holes.

5. The duct of claim 1 , wherein the integrated heat shield defines a plurality of stress relief features.

6. The duct of claim 5 , wherein the stress relief features include beads indented into the integrated heat shield, the beads configured to bend to permit circumferential expansion of the integrated heat shield.

7. The duct of claim 5 , wherein the stress relief features include a plurality of axial cuts into the integrated heat shield thereby forming the plurality of spring fingers, each spring finger of the plurality of spring fingers having a length and a width, wherein: each length is greater than the width; each spring finger of the plurality of spring fingers has a radiused end proximate the radiused plenum end; and the plurality of axial cuts extend into the annular plenum.

8. The duct of claim 1 , wherein the integrated heat shield is made of a high temperature superalloy.

9. The duct of claim 1 , wherein the duct is a gas turbine engine duct.

10. A duct for channeling a flow of a working fluid, comprising: an upstream segment, the upstream segment having an upstream annular portion and an upstream flange, wherein the upstream flange extends radially outward from the upstream annular portion and partially defines a plurality of bolt holes; a downstream segment, the downstream segment having a downstream annular portion and a downstream flange, wherein the downstream flange extends radially outward from the downstream annular portion and partially defines the plurality of bolt holes; and wherein the downstream flange is configured to matingly contact the upstream flange so to attach the upstream segment to the downstream segment; and an integrated heat shield, the integrated heat shield being an extension from the downstream segment and extending toward the upstream segment, and the integrated heat shield having an inside surface and an outside surface, wherein the inside surface is in contact with the flow of the working fluid and the outside surface defines an inner boundary of an annular plenum; wherein the upstream segment and the downstream segment each have an inside surface proximate a region where the upstream flange matingly contacts the downstream flange, the upstream segment inside surface and the downstream segment inside surface together defining an outer boundary of the annular plenum; and wherein the annular plenum has a radiused plenum end and an open end; wherein the radiused plenum end is in the downstream segment and the open end in an area proximate the upstream segment; and wherein the open end is exposed to the working fluid; and wherein the radiused plenum end is closed, thereby not allowing flow of the working fluid through the annular plenum; and wherein the downstream segment includes a sealing land extending radially inward from the downstream segment and configured to contactingly engage with the outside surface of the integrated heat shield, and a plurality of spring fingers are formed in the integrated heat shield beneath the sealing land.

11. The duct of claim 10 , wherein the upstream segment includes a gusset extending between and attached to the upstream annular portion and the upstream flange.

12. The duct of claim 11 , wherein the gusset includes a plurality of radially extending struts, the plurality of struts defining apertures.

13. The duct of claim 10 , wherein the integrated heat shield defines a plurality of stress relief features.

14. The duct of claim 13 wherein the stress relief features include beads indented into the integrated heat shield, the beads configured to bend to permit circumferential expansion of the integrated heat shield.

15. The duct of claim 13 , wherein the stress relief features include a plurality of axial cuts into the integrated heat shield thereby forming the plurality of spring fingers, each spring finger of the plurality of spring fingers having a length and a width, wherein: each length is greater than the width; each spring finger of the plurality of spring fingers has a radiused end proximate the radiused plenum end; and the plurality of axial cuts extend into the annular plenum.

16. The duct of claim 10 , wherein the integrated heat shield is made of a high temperature superalloy.

17. The duct of claim 10 , wherein the duct is a gas turbine engine duct.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Butcher Evan
• Dautova Lyutsia
• Twelves Jr Wendell V
• Ott Joe

Classifications

• F02C7/30

  Preventing corrosion {or unwanted deposits} in gas-swept spaces · CPC title

• F05D2240/15

  Heat shield · CPC title

• F16L23/032

  characterised by the shape or composition of the flanges · CPC title

• F16L57/005

  specially adapted for the ends of pipes · CPC title

• F23R3/60 Primary

  Support structures; Attaching or mounting means · CPC title