Bolt attachment to composite fan case

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016017753-A1
Application number	US-201514802486-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 17, 2015
Priority date	Jul 21, 2014
Publication date	Jan 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fan case includes a composite fan case body including an outer surface and at least one attachment tool attached to the outer surface of the fan case body. The attachment tool includes a boss that has at least one fastener opening with a threaded insert. A channel extends from at least one interior cavity of the attachment tool through an outer wall of the attachment tool.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A fan case comprising:
a composite fan case body including an outer surface; and at least one attachment tool attached to the outer surface of the fan case body, the attachment tool including a boss having at least one fastener opening with a threaded insert, and a channel extending from at least one interior cavity of the attachment tool through an outer wall of the attachment tool.

2 . The fan case as recited in claim 1 , wherein the fan case is made of a composite material and includes an accessory attached to at least one of the attachment tool.

3 . The fan case as recited in claim 1 , wherein the attachment tool is made of at least one of a molder thermoplastic material or a fabricated material.

4 . The fan case as recited in claim 2 , wherein the threaded insert directly engages the molded thermoplastic material of the attachment tool.

5 . The fan case as recited in claim 4 , wherein the threaded insert includes at least one of a helical insert or a key-locking insert.

6 . The fan case as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one attachment tool is bonded directly to the outer surface on the fan case.

7 . The fan case as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a mate face on a distal end of the outer wall for engaging the fan case.

8 . The fan case as recited in claim 7 , wherein the channel separates a first mate face from a second mate face.

9 . The fan case as recited in claim 1 , further comprising at least one rib extending between the outer wall and the boss.

10 . The fan case as recited in claim 9 , wherein the at least one rib partially defines the at least one interior cavity and includes at least one of a passage or a recessed area extending through the at least one rib to fluidly connect adjacent interior cavities.

11 . An attachment tool for being attached to an outer surface of a fan case in a gas turbine engine comprising:
a boss having at least one fastener opening for accepting a threaded insert for engaging a fastener; an outer wall spaced from the boss forming at least one interior cavity; and a channel extending from the at least one cavity through the outer wall.

12 . The attachment tool as recited in claim 11 , wherein the attachment tool is made of a molded thermoplastic material and the threaded insert directly engages the molded thermoplastic material.

13 . The attachment tool as recited in claim 11 , wherein the threaded insert includes at least one of a helical insert or a key-locking insert.

14 . The attachment tool as recited in claim 11 , further comprising a mate face on a distal end of the outer wall for engaging the fan case, wherein the channel separates a first mate face from a second mate face.

15 . The attachment tool as recited in claim 11 , further comprising at least one rib extending between the outer wall and the boss, wherein the at least one rib partially defines the at least one interior cavity and includes at least one of a passage or a recessed area extending through the at least one rib to fluidly connect adjacent interior cavities.

16 . A method of forming an attachment tool for being attached to an outer surface of a case in a gas turbine engine comprising:
attaching the attachment tool to the fan case, the attachment tool including at least one fastener opening with a threaded insert; and equalizing pressure between an at least one internal cavity of the attachment tool and an outermost surface of the attachment tool.

17 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the attachment tool is made of a molded thermoplastic material and the threaded insert directly engages the molded thermoplastic material of the attachment tool.

18 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the threaded insert includes at least one of a helical insert or a key-locking insert.

19 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the attachment tool includes a channel fluidly connecting the at least one internal cavity and the outermost surface.

20 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the attachment tool includes at least one rib extending between an outer wall and a boss, the at least one fastener opening extends into the boss, wherein the at least one rib partially defines the at least one interior cavity and includes at least one of a passage or a recessed area extending through the at least one rib to fluidly connect adjacent interior cavities.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Robertson Thomas J
• Clarkston Steven

Classifications

• B29C66/1122

  Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints (B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence) · CPC title

• B29C66/532

  Joining single elements to the wall of tubular articles, hollow articles or bars · CPC title

• F05D2300/603

  Composites; e.g. fibre-reinforced · CPC title

• F05D2220/36

  specially adapted for the fan of turbofan engines · CPC title

• B29C65/4835

  Heat curing adhesives · CPC title