IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,337,985
Granted Patent B1
US 12,337,985 · App. 18/826,854 · Granted Jun 24, 2025

Compliant dampening wedge mount

Inventors: Colin J. Kling (Exton, PA); Mark W. Costa (Storrs, CT)
Assignee: RTX Corporation
B64D33/02F16F15/08B64D2033/0206F05D2220/36F05D2230/60F05D2260/96F16F2234/00
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,337,985
App. No.
18/826,854
Granted
Jun 24, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A retention assembly for a fan case liner including a retention bracket including a tab; a damper comprising a forward end opposite an aft end, the damper comprising an exterior surface extending between the forward end and the aft end, the damper having at least one slot formed in the exterior surface; a bracket slot formed in the damper proximate the aft end, the bracket slot configured to receive the tab; and the fan case liner comprising a fan case liner receiver configured to receive the damper, wherein the retention bracket and damper support the fan case liner.

Claims (34)

1. A retention assembly for a fan case liner comprising:

a retention bracket including a tab;

a damper comprising a forward end opposite an aft end, the damper comprising an exterior surface extending between the forward end and the aft end, the damper having at least one slot formed in the exterior surface; a bracket slot formed in the damper proximate the aft end, the bracket slot configured to receive the tab; and

the fan case liner comprising a fan case liner receiver configured to receive the damper, wherein the retention bracket and damper support the fan case liner, wherein the damper comprises a wedge shape having an interior edge dimension smaller than an exterior edge dimension.

2. The retention assembly for a fan case liner according to claim 1 , wherein the fan case liner comprises a rear edge opposite a front edge, each of the rear edge and the front edge including at least one fan case liner receiver.

3. The retention assembly for a fan case liner according to claim 1 , wherein the damper being configured for an interference fit within the fan case liner receiver.

4. The retention assembly for a fan case liner according to claim 3 , wherein the damper comprises material configured compliant which deflects responsive to the interference fit.

5. The retention assembly for a fan case liner according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot being configured as channels with at least one of a a U-shaped profile and a V-shaped profile.

6. The retention assembly for a fan case liner according to claim 1 , wherein a width and depth of the at least one slot is tailored to adjust the stiffness of the damper.

7. A retention assembly for a fan case liner in a gas turbine engine fan case comprising:

a fan discharge flow path between a fan rotor and guide vanes;

the fan case liner proximate a fan case exposed to the fan discharge flow path between the fan rotor and guide vanes;

a forward retention bracket including a forward retention bracket tab in operative communication with the fan case;

an aft retention bracket including an aft retention bracket tab in operative communication with the fan case;

at least one damper comprising a forward end opposite an aft end, the at least one damper comprising an exterior surface extending between the forward end and the aft end, the damper having at least one slot formed in the exterior surface; a bracket slot formed in the damper proximate the aft end, the bracket slot of each at least one damper configured to receive one of the forward retention bracket tab or the aft retention bracket tab; and

the fan case liner comprising a fan case liner receiver configured to receive the at least one damper, wherein the at least one damper supports the fan case liner, wherein the at least one damper comprises a wedge shape having an interior edge dimension smaller than an exterior edge dimension.

8. The retention assembly for a fan case liner in a gas turbine engine fan case according to claim 7 , wherein the fan case liner comprises a front edge with a fan case liner receiver and a rear edge with a fan case liner receiver, wherein the forward retention bracket supports the front edge of the fan case liner and the aft retention bracket supports the rear edge of the fan case liner.

9. The retention assembly for a fan case liner in a gas turbine engine fan case according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one damper being configured for an interference fit within the fan case liner receiver.

10. The retention assembly for a fan case liner in a gas turbine engine fan case according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one damper comprises material configured compliant which deflects responsive to the interference fit.

11. The retention assembly for a fan case liner in a gas turbine engine fan case according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one slot being configured as channels with at least one of a U-shaped profile, a U-shaped profile and a V-shaped profile.

12. A process for retention of a fan case liner with a retention assembly comprising:

forming a retention bracket including a tab;

attaching a damper to the tab, the damper comprising a forward end opposite an aft end, the damper comprising an exterior surface extending between the forward end and the aft end, the damper having at least one slot formed in the exterior surface; a bracket slot formed in the damper proximate the aft end, the bracket slot configured to receive the tab; and

inserting the damper into a fan case liner receiver of the fan case liner, wherein the retention bracket and damper support the fan case liner, and configuring the damper with a wedge shape having an interior edge dimension smaller than an exterior edge dimension.

13. The process of claim 12 , wherein the fan case liner comprises a rear edge opposite a front edge, each of the rear edge and the front edge including at least one of the fan case liner receiver.

14. The process of claim 12 , further comprising:

configuring the damper for an interference fit within the fan case liner receiver.

15. The process of claim 14 , further comprising:

configuring the damper with compliant material which deflects responsive to the interference fit.

16. The process of claim 12 , further comprising:

adjusting the stiffness of the damper; and

tailoring a width and a depth of the at least one slot.

17. The process of claim 12 , further comprising:

configuring the at least one slot as channels with at least one of a U-shaped profile, a V-shaped profile and the like a U-shaped profile and a V-shaped profile.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 6, 2024
From: KLING, COLIN J.; COSTA, MARK W.
To: RTX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 068512/0323 →
References Cited (13)
US 5074752A · Murphy et al. · 1991 [cited by applicant]
US 6857669B2 · Porte · 2005 [cited by examiner]
US 7555906B2 · Anichini et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 8231332B2 · Vauchel · 2012 [cited by examiner]
US 8544598B2 · Gaudry · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 8650853B2 · Porte · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 9702375B2 · Costa · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 9951954B2 · Benson et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10174633B2 · Hall · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 10669936B2 · Robertson, Jr. · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 11325717B2 · Porte · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20230103861A1 · Bifulco · 2023 [cited by examiner]
CN 111038720A · 2020 [cited by examiner]