Patent ID: 6212770
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: F01D,F04D,F05D,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for forming a roller assembly 58 for guiding the motion of a first circumferentially extending structure 64 in a gas turbine engine with respect to a second structure 42, one of said structures having a track 57,156 for guiding the roller assembly and the other structure being adapted to fixedly engage the roller assembly, the roller assembly having an axis of symmetry Ap about which the roller assembly is disposed, the roller assembly further including a rotatable element disposed about the axis of symmetry Ap, and, including a head having a race disposed about the axis of symmetry Ap for receiving the rotatable element 82 which adapts the roller assembly to engage the track 56 and to receive an external force Fe from the track under operative conditions, causing a reactive force Fr on the rotatable element to resist the force Fe, which comprises:forming a pin 78 disposed about the axis Ap having a first end 116 and a second end 118 including,forming a head 122 at the first end having an outwardly facing surface for forming the bottom of the race, the head having a diameter Dh which extends circumferentially about the axis Ap,forming a thrust member 124 as one piece with the head 122 such that said thrust member is not bonded or mechanically attached to said head, the thrust member extending radially outwardly from the head and having an axially facing surface 126 for forming one side of the race,forming a shank 128 extending axially from the head which is disposed about the axis Ap and which has a maximum diameter Ds which is smaller than the diameter of the head,disposing the rotatable element 82 in the partially formed race about the outwardly facing surface of the head;disposing a collar 84 having a radial surface 136 and an internal axial surface 139 about the shank and adjacent the head and forming a radial surface on the collar which extends outwardly for forming at least a portion of the second side of the race;urging the collar and the head toward each other under operative conditions;wherein the race for the rotatable element is formed and bounded by structure of the one-piece head and by structure of the collar, the collar being disposed on said shank and urged toward the head under operative conditions to trap the collar under operative conditions from separation from the roller assembly.