Embedded mount for mid-turbine frame
View Patent ↗An engine casing for a mid-turbine frame having a plurality of radially extending struts includes a ring structure and at least one mount. The ring structure has an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a plurality of equally spaced dimples along the exterior surface and protruding from the interior surface. The ring structure is connected to each of the plurality of struts at the interior surface at the dimples. The mount is positioned within each of the dimples and transfers load to the engine casing.
1. An engine casing assembly comprising:
a mid-turbine frame;
a ring structure having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the ring structure has a plurality of dimples forming indentations at the exterior surface and protrusions at the interior surface;
a plurality of struts, each strut having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each strut is connected to the mid-turbine frame and the second end of each strut is connected to the inner surface of the ring structure at one of the dimples; and at least one mounting flange positioned within each of the dimples for transferring load to a mount.
2. The engine casing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ring structure has a thickness, and wherein each of the dimples has a thickness of at least the thickness of the ring structure.
3. The engine casing assembly of claim 2 , wherein each of the dimples has a thickness of less than three times the thickness of the ring structure.
4. The engine casing assembly of claim 1 , and further comprising at least three mounting flanges.
5. The engine casing assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the struts has a minor axis and a major axis and each of the dimples has a minor axis and a major axis, and wherein the minor axis of the dimple is at least the minor axis of the strut.
6. The engine casing assembly of claim 5 , wherein the major axis of the dimple is up to three times the major axis of the strut.
7. The engine casing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the engine casing has a weight of between approximately 140 pounds and approximately 150 pounds.
8. The engine casing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the dimples have a first height and the mounting flanges have a second height, and wherein the second height is larger than the first height.