Support system having shape memory alloys
A support system for a gas turbine engine is provided. The support system includes a load-bearing unit that includes a first flange, a support element supporting the load-bearing unit and having a second flange, a fastener connecting the first flange and the second flange, a first super-elastic shape memory alloy component in contact with the first flange, and a second super-elastic shape memory alloy component in contact with the second flange. The first and the second super-elastic shape memory alloy components are configured to deform when a load exerted by the fastener exceeds a threshold load value of the fastener.
1. A support system for a gas turbine engine, the support system comprising:
a load-bearing unit comprising a first flange;
a support element supporting the load-bearing unit, the support element comprising a second flange;
a fastener connecting the first flange and the second flange;
a first super-elastic shape memory alloy component in contact with a first side of the first flange, the first side of the first flange being opposite a second side of the first flange, the second side of the first flange adjacent a first side of the second flange; and
a second super-elastic shape memory alloy component in contact with a second side of the second flange, the first side of the second flange being opposite the second side of the second flange, wherein the first and the second super-elastic shape memory alloy components are configured to deform when a load exerted by the fastener exceeds a threshold load value of the fastener.
2. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the first flange is a bearing housing flange of a rotor support system.
3. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the second flange is a forward mounting flange of a bearing cone.
4. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the first super-elastic shape memory alloy component is in the form of a gusset, a flange, a bolt, a bolt sleeve, a gasket seal, a washer, or combinations thereof.
5. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the second super-elastic shape memory alloy component is in the form of a gusset, a bolt, a bolt sleeve, a gasket seal, a washer, or combinations thereof.
6. The support system of claim 1 , wherein both the first and the second super-elastic shape memory alloy components are in the form of gussets.
7. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the first super-elastic shape memory alloy component is in the form of a gusset, a flange, a washer, or combinations thereof, and the second super-elastic shape memory alloy component is in the form of a gasket seal, a gusset, a washer, or combinations thereof.
8. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is an axial bolt.
9. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a super-elastic shape memory alloy.
10. The support system of claim 1 , wherein a radial gap exists between at least a portion of the fastener and at least one of the first flange or the second flange.
11. The support system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first flange or the second flange comprises a super-elastic shape memory alloy.
12. The support system of claim 1 , further comprising a super-elastic shape memory alloy sleeve to the fastener.
13. The support system of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a radial bolt.
14. A bearing support system for a gas turbine engine, the bearing support system comprising:
a load-bearing unit comprising a first flange;
a frame supporting the load-bearing unit, the frame comprising a second flange;
an axial bolt connecting the first flange and the second flange;
a first super-elastic shape memory alloy component in contact with a first side of the first flange, the first side of the first flange being opposite a second side of the first flange, the second side of the first flange adjacent a first side of the second flange; and
a second super-elastic shape memory alloy component in contact with a second side of the second flange, the first side of the second flange being opposite the second side of the second flange, wherein the first super-elastic shape memory alloy component is in the form of a gusset, a flange, or a combination thereof, and the second super-elastic shape memory alloy component is in the form of a gasket seal, a gusset, a washer, or combinations thereof, and wherein the first and the second super-elastic shape memory alloy components are configured to deform when a load exerted by the axial bolt exceeds a threshold load value of the axial bolt.
15. The bearing support system of claim 14 , wherein the first flange is a bearing housing flange of a rotor support system.
16. The bearing support system of claim 14 , wherein the second super-elastic shape memory alloy component is a gasket seal.
17. The bearing support system of claim 14 , wherein the axial bolt comprises a super-elastic shape memory alloy.
18. A bearing support system for a gas turbine engine, the bearing support system comprising:
a load-bearing unit comprising a first flange;
a frame supporting the load-bearing unit, the frame comprising a second flange;
an axial bolt connecting the first flange and the second flange, wherein the axial bolt comprises a super-elastic shape memory alloy;
a first super-elastic shape memory alloy component in contact with a first side of the first flange, the first side of the first flange being opposite a second side of the first flange, the second side of the first flange adjacent a first side of the second flange; and
a second super-elastic shape memory alloy component in contact with a second side of the second flange, the first side of the second flange being opposite the second side of the second flange, wherein the first super-elastic shape memory alloy component is in the form of a gusset, a flange, or a combination thereof, and the second super-elastic shape memory alloy component is in the form of a gusset, a flange, or a combination thereof, and wherein the first and the second super-elastic shape memory alloy components, and the axial bolt are configured to deform when a load exerted by the axial bolt exceeds a threshold load value of the axial bolt.
19. The bearing support system of claim 18 , further comprising a L-shaped super-elastic shape memory alloy sleeve to the axial bolt.
20. The bearing support system of claim 18 , further comprising a super-elastic shape memory alloy sleeve to the axial bolt.