Full ring curvic seal

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016010458-A1
Application number	US-201414772849-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 10, 2014
Priority date	Mar 11, 2013
Publication date	Jan 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A shaft coupling between a first shaft and a second shaft includes a seal assembly to minimize leakage. The seal assembly includes a ring press fit against an inner surface of the first shaft and a clearance fit with an inner surface of the second shaft. A seal is supported between the ring and the inner surface of the second shaft.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A shaft coupling comprising:
a first shaft; a second shaft coupled to the second shaft; a ring including a first end fit against a first inner surface of the first shaft and a second end fit to a second inner surface of the second shaft; and a seal supported between the second end of the ring and the second inner surface.

2 . The shaft coupling as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second end is a clearance fit with the second inner surface of the second shaft.

3 . The shaft coupling as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second end is a tight fit with the second inner surface of the second shaft.

4 . The shaft coupling as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ring includes a cavity on the second end receiving the seal.

5 . The shaft coupling as recited in claim 4 , wherein the cavity includes an angled surface driving the seal toward the second inner surface responsive to radially outward movement of the seal.

6 . The shaft coupling as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first inner surface includes a first tab extending radially inward and the second inner surface includes a second tab extending radially inward and the ring is disposed between the first tab and the second tab.

7 . The shaft coupling as recited in claim 6 , wherein the ring includes a first axially facing surface that is loaded against the first tab.

8 . The shaft coupling as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first shaft and the second shaft are coupled along corresponding first and second axially facing coupling surfaces.

9 . The shaft coupling as recited in claim 8 , wherein each of the first and second axially facing surface comprise curvic teeth.

10 . The shaft coupling as recited in claim 1 , wherein the ring comprises a wire seal.

11 . A spool assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising:
a compressor section supported on a first shaft; a turbine section supported on a second shaft; a curvic coupling between the first shaft and the second shaft for transferring torque; and a seal assembly including a ring fit against a first inner surface of the first shaft and extending axially across the coupling into a clearance fit with a second inner surface of the second shaft and a seal supported between the ring and the second inner surface of the second shaft.

12 . The spool assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the ring includes a cavity receiving the seal.

13 . The spool assembly as recited in claim 12 , wherein the cavity includes an angled surface driving the seal toward the second inner surface responsive to radially outward movement of the seal.

14 . The spool assembly as recited in claim 11 , wherein the first inner surface includes a first tab extending radially inward and the second inner surface includes a second tab extending radially inward and the ring is disposed between the first tab and the second tab.

15 . The spool assembly as recited in claim 14 , wherein the ring includes a first axially facing surface that is loaded against the first tab.

16 . A method of coupling first and second shaft sections comprising:
pressing a first end of a ring into a first inner surface of a first shaft; attaching a second shaft to the first shaft at an axial interface; fitting a second end of the ring into a second inner surface of the second shaft; and supporting a seal between the second end of the ring and the second inner surface of the inner shaft.

17 . The method as recited in claim 16 , including pressing the first end of the ring into the first inner surface of the first shaft and providing a clearance fit between the second end of the ring and the second inner surface.

18 . The method as recited in claim 17 , wherein the first inner surface includes a first tab extending radially inward and the second inner surface includes a second tab extending radially inward and the ring is fit between the first tab and the second tab.

19 . The method as recited in claim 18 , wherein the ring includes a cavity facing the second tab and the seal is assembled into the cavity and into sealing engagement between the cavity and the second tab.

20 . The method as recited in claim 19 , wherein the cavity includes a ramped surface that drives the seal against the second tab when moved radially outward.

21 . The method as recited in claim 16 , including engaging a first set of curvic teeth defined on the first shaft to a second set of curvic teeth on the second shaft to form the axial interface.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Virkler Scott D

Classifications

• F05D2230/60

  Assembly methods · CPC title

• F01D5/026 Primary

  Shaft to shaft connections · CPC title

• F01D11/003

  by packing rings; Mechanical seals · CPC title

• F16D1/02

  for connecting two abutting shafts or the like · CPC title

• F05D2240/60

  Shafts · CPC title