Case coupling and assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10801367-B2
Application number	US-201816110710-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 23, 2018
Priority date	Jun 22, 2015
Publication date	Oct 13, 2020
Grant date	Oct 13, 2020

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 method for coupling cases associated with an engine of an aircraft, comprising:
joining a first bracket with a first case and a second bracket with a second case;
threading an alignment pin into the second bracket;
bringing the first case and the second case together until contact is made with threads of a coupler, wherein the contact occurs subsequent to an engagement of the alignment pin with the first bracket; and
applying torque to the coupler to cause the first case to couple to the second case.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
unthreading and removing the alignment pin from the first bracket and the second bracket subsequent to applying the torque; and
removing the first bracket from the first case and the second bracket from the second case subsequent to the removal of the alignment pin.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the joining of the first bracket with the first case includes bolting the first bracket to the first case.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
joining a third bracket with the first case and a fourth bracket with the second case; and
threading a depth pin into the fourth bracket.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
threading a gauge into the third bracket.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
adjusting the gauge to contact the depth pin; and
recording a reading associated with a depth based on the adjustment of the gauge.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
pulling apart the first case and the second case; and
turning the gauge to account for a width of the coupler.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the applied torque is based on the recorded reading.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp
• Raytheon Tech Corp

Inventors

• Scott Jonathan A
• Smith Darren M

Classifications

• F05D2220/32

  in gas turbines · CPC title

• F02K1/80

  Couplings or connections · CPC title

• F05D2260/30

  Retaining components in desired mutual position · CPC title

• F01D25/285

  Temporary support structures, e.g. for testing, assembling, installing, repairing; Assembly methods using such structures · CPC title

• F01D21/003

  Arrangements for testing or measuring (for measuring vibrations G01H) · CPC title