Patent ID: 8245518
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: F01D

Abstract:
1. A gas turbine engine comprising an annular engine casing having at least one annular bearing support leg extending inwardly of the casing, the bearing support leg supporting a main shaft bearing assembly about a main shaft of the engine, the bearing support leg extending as a hollow cone from the engine casing to an axially extending bearing support to which the bearing assembly is mounted, the bearing support leg including a mechanical fuse portion between the bearing support and the engine casing, the fuse portion configured to fail if a torsional load through the fuse portion exceeds a predetermined maximum torsional load, the mechanical fuse provided by an area of reduced cross-section relative to a remainder of the bearing support leg, the bearing support leg further including a seal housing support mounted to the bearing support leg between the fuse portion and the engine case, the seal support housing having a seal mounted thereto extending between the seal support housing and the engine main shaft, the seal configured to substantially centralize the main shaft after the fuse portion fails, wherein the fuse portion comprises a portion of the bearing leg through which a plurality of slots are provided through the bearing leg about a circumference of the bearing leg.