Case coupling and assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10082042-B2
Application number	US-201514746322-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2015
Priority date	Jun 22, 2015
Publication date	Sep 25, 2018
Grant date	Sep 25, 2018

Abstract

A system and method for coupling cases associated with an engine of an aircraft. A first case includes a first plurality of threads. A second case includes a second plurality of threads. A coupler includes a third plurality of threads and a fourth plurality of threads. An interface is configured to align the first case and the second case before the first plurality of threads engage the third plurality of threads or the second plurality of threads engage the fourth plurality of threads.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for coupling cases associated with an engine of an aircraft, comprising:
a first case including a first plurality of threads;
a second case including a second plurality of threads;
a coupler including a third plurality of threads and a fourth plurality of threads; and
an interface that aligns the first case and the second case before the first plurality of threads engage the third plurality of threads or the second plurality of threads engage the fourth plurality of threads,
wherein the interface comprises:
a first bracket coupled to the first case;
a second bracket coupled to the second case; and
a pin that is received by the first bracket and the second bracket.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the interface further comprises:
a second pin associated with the first case that mates with a corresponding hole in the second case.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the interface further comprises:
a plurality of teeth associated with the first case; and
a region of the first case denoted by an absence of teeth.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the interface further comprises:
a second tooth associated with the second case to mesh with the region of the first case.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second tooth is of a substantially different size from each of the plurality of teeth associated with the first case.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third bracket coupled to the first case;
a fourth bracket coupled to the second case; and
a second pin that is received by the third bracket and the fourth bracket.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising:
a gauge associated with the second pin to measure a depth.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first bracket and the third bracket are integrally formed.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the second bracket and fourth bracket are integrally formed.

10. A system for coupling cases of an engine, comprising:
a first case that includes a first plurality of threads;
a second case that includes a second plurality of threads;
a nut that includes a third plurality of threads and a fourth plurality of threads, where the first plurality of threads engage the third plurality of threads and the second plurality of threads engage the fourth plurality of threads; and
an interface that aligns the first case and the second case,
wherein the interface comprises:
a first bracket coupled to the first case;
a second bracket coupled to the second case;
a pin that is received by the first bracket and the second bracket;
a plurality of teeth associated with the first case;
a region of the first case denoted by an absence of teeth; and
a second tooth associated with the second case that is configured to mesh with the region of the first case.

11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising:
a third bracket coupled to the first case;
a fourth bracket coupled to the second case; and
a second pin that is received by the third bracket and the fourth bracket.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the interface further comprises:
a second pin associated with the first case that mates with a corresponding hole in the second case.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the second tooth is of a substantially different size from each of the plurality of teeth associated with the first case.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Scott Jonathan A
• Smith Darren M

Classifications

• F05D2230/64

  using positioning or alignment devices for aligning or centring, e.g. pins · CPC title

• F05D2250/281

  threaded · CPC title

• F01D25/243 Primary

  Flange connections; Bolting arrangements (F01D25/265 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F05D2260/30

  Retaining components in desired mutual position · CPC title

• F02K1/80

  Couplings or connections · CPC title