Alignment tool for use in a gas turbine engine

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10132179-B2
Application number	US-201314426995-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 15, 2013
Priority date	Sep 28, 2012
Publication date	Nov 20, 2018
Grant date	Nov 20, 2018

Abstract

An alignment tool for use in a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a clamp portion, a component engagement portion and an arm portion that extends between the clamp portion and the component engagement portion. The clamp portion establishes a fixed datum surface for positioning a component within the gas turbine engine.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An alignment tool for use in a gas turbine engine, comprising:
a clamp portion including a pair of spaced apart clamp arms;
a backing plate between said pair of spaced apart clamp arms;
a component engagement portion; and
an arm portion that extends between said clamp portion and said component engagement portion, wherein said clamp portion establishes a fixed datum surface.

2. The alignment tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein said backing plate is moveably positioned between said pair of spaced apart clamp arms by a capture pin.

3. The alignment tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein said component engagement portion includes an engagement claw.

4. The alignment tool as recited in claim 3 , wherein said engagement claw includes a first claw arm and a second claw arm spaced from said first claw arm.

5. An alignment tool for use in a gas turbine engine, comprising;
a clamp portion;
a component engagement portion;
an arm portion that extends between said clamp portion and said component engagement portion, wherein said clamp portion establishes a fixed datum surface; and
a fastener that extends through said component engagement portion and engages a trunion of said component.

6. The alignment tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein said arm portion includes a slotted opening.

7. An alignment tool use in gas turbine engine, comprising:
a clamp portion;
a component engagement portion; and
an arm portion that extends between said clamp portion and said component engagement portion, wherein said clamp portion establishes a fixed datum surface, and said arm portion includes a slotted opening; and
a pin that is received though said slotted opening to position said arm portion relative to a synchronizing ring.

8. The alignment tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein said clamp portion is clamped to a casing of the gas turbine engine and the component engagement portion engages said component of the gas turbine engine.

9. The alignment tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein said component engagement portion extends perpendicularly from said arm portion.

10. The alignment tool as recited in claim 1 , wherein an engagement claw of said component engagement portion extends parallel to a clamp arm of said clamp portion.

11. A method of installing a component into a portion of a gas turbine engine, comprising the steps of:
positioning an alignment tool relative to a casing of the portion of the gas turbine engine;
aligning an engagement portion of the alignment tool relative to the component; and
removing a vane arm from the portion prior to the steps of positioning and aligning.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the step of aligning the engagement portion includes engaging flats of a trunion of the component with an engagement claw of the engagement portion.

13. The method as recited in claim 11 , comprising the step of installing a fastener through the engagement portion and into the component.

14. A method of installing a component into a portion of a gas turbine engine, comprising the steps of:
positioning an alignment tool relative to a casing of the portion of the gas turbine engine;
aligning an engagement portion of the alignment tool relative to the component;
rotating a synchronizing ring of the portion of the gas turbine engine;
aligning a hole of the synchronizing ring with a slotted opening of the alignment tool; and
installing a pin through the hole and the slotted opening.

15. The method as recited in claim 14 , comprising the step of positioning additional components relative to the synchronizing ring subsequent to the steps of rotating, aligning the hole of the synchronizing ring, and installing.

16. A method of installing a component into a portion of a gas turbine engine, comprising the steps of:
positioning an alignment tool relative to a casing of the portion of the gas turbine engine, wherein the step of positioning includes sandwiching the casing between a backing plate and a clamp arm of the alignment tool; and
aligning an engagement portion of the alignment tool relative to the component.

17. The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the alignment tool includes a clamp portion that establishes a fixed datum surface for positioning the alignment tool within the gas turbine engine.

18. The method as recited in claim 11 , comprising the steps of:
rotating a synchronizing ring of the portion of the gas turbine engine;
aligning a hole of the synchronizing ring with a slotted opening of the alignment tool; and
installing a pin through the hole and the slotted opening.

19. The method as recited in claim 16 , comprising the steps of
rotating a synchronizing ring of the portion of the gas turbine engine;
aligning a hole of the synchronizing ring with a slotted opening of the alignment tool; and
installing a pin through the hole and the slotted opening.

20. The alignment tool as recited in claim 7 , wherein the clamp portion includes a moveable backing plate.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Leblanc Ryan Edward
• Cummings Kevin J
• St Mary Christopher
• Hill Donald A

Classifications

• Y10T29/49346

  Rocket or jet device making · CPC title

• F02C7/20

  Mounting or supporting of plant; Accommodating heat expansion or creep · CPC title

• B25B5/00

  Clamps (for holding or positioning work for welding, soldering, or cutting by applying heat locally B23K37/04) · CPC title

• B25B1/00

  Vices (specially adapted for tying flies for angling A01K97/28; specially adapted for machine tools B23Q3/00 {; rope or cable splicing vices D07B7/162}) · CPC title

• F01D9/042 Primary

  fixing blades to stators (fixing stator-rings in the casing or to each other F01D25/246) · CPC title