Patent ID: 9284969
Filing Date: 2016-03-15
CPC Classification: F16B,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A thermal expansion joint connection for sheet metal assembly in a gas turbine engine, the thermal expansion joint connection comprising: concentric first and second annular components for being mounted concentrically about an axis of the gas turbine engine, at least one of the first and second components being a sheet metal component; the first component comprising an annular flange having radially extending slot apertures formed in a radially extending circumferential edge portion of the flange of the first component at predetermined locations thereabout, wherein said radially extending slot apertures are elongated slot apertures, each slot aperture defining opposed elongated spaced-apart parallel edges; the second component comprising an annular flange having hole apertures formed in a radially extending connecting circumferential edge portion of the flange of the second component and disposed for confronting alignment with said slot apertures when said circumferential edge portions of the first and second components are positioned in predetermined overlap facial contact to form a joint; a plurality of connecting sleeves each having an abutment projecting outwardly about an end thereof, said connecting sleeves being disposed in close fit into said hole apertures with said abutment contacting a peripheral surface region about said hole apertures on a first side of said second component opposite said first component, said connecting sleeves having a predetermined length and projecting beyond a side of said second component abutting the first component and through corresponding ones of said slot apertures of the first component, wherein each of said connecting sleeves has a slot engaging portion provided with opposed flat parallel walls spaced apart for close sliding fit between said opposed elongated spaced-apart parallel edges of said slot apertures; a plurality of retention members, each said retention member having a hole centrally disposed therethrough and an outer wall formation for abutting the head of a fastener extending therethrough, said retention members abutting an outer surface of the first component on a side opposite to said second component and extending beyond opposed ends of said slot apertures, the hole receiving a corresponding one of the connecting sleeves, thereby allowing said retention members to be fitted over respective ones of said connecting sleeves; and a plurality of fasteners extending through and securing said retention members to said connecting sleeves to clampingly interconnect said circumferential edge portions of the first and second component components while permitting relative radial movement between the first and second components by displacement of said connecting sleeves with said fasteners therein in associated ones of said radially extending slot apertures.