Slideable liner link assembly

An example engine assembly includes a first attachment structure secured to an engine casing or an engine liner, and a second attachment structure secured to the other of the engine casing or the engine liner. A sliding member is held by the first attachment structure and is slideable relative to the first attachment structure between a first position and a second position. A pin structure moves with the sliding member between the first position and the second position. A link is pivotally connected to the second attachment structure and the pin structure.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a sliding link for securing a removable liner within an engine.

An exhaust section of a typical gas turbine engine includes a removable liner secured relative to an exhaust duct. The liner isolates the exhaust duct from the thermal energy of flow through the exhaust. Securing the liner in an installed position within the exhaust duct is a complex task based on manufacturing tolerances and complicated flow paths. Liner securing strategies further address thermal expansion.

Some liners are secured with liner hanger assemblies that include links. Typically, the exhaust liner is connected to one end of the link, and the exhaust duct is connected to the other end of the link. Some links include features that permit relative movement between the exhaust liner and the exhaust duct. Further, many features only accommodate relative movement between the exhaust liner and the exhaust duct in a single direction.

SUMMARY

An example engine assembly includes a first attachment structure secured to an engine casing or an engine liner, and a second attachment structure secured to the other of the engine casing or the engine liner. A sliding member is held by the first attachment structure and is slideable relative to the first attachment structure between a first position and a second position. A pin structure moves with the sliding member between the first position and the second position. A link is pivotally connected to the second attachment structure and the pin structure.

An example link assembly for securing an engine liner relative to a engine includes a pin structure slidably secured to a first attachment structure that is secured to an engine liner or an engine casing. A rod portion extends longitudinally between a first rod end and a second rod end. The first rod end is pivotally secured to the pin structure, and the second rod end is held by a second attachment structure secured to the other of the engine casing and the engine liner.

An example method of securing an engine liner relative to an engine casing includes the steps of pivotally connecting opposing ends of a link to respective one of an engine liner and an engine casing, and sliding one of the opposing ends relative to the respective one of the engine liner or the engine casing attachment structures. The method also includes pivoting the link while performing the step of sliding one of the opposing ends.

These and other features of the example disclosure can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1schematically illustrates an example gas turbine engine10including (in serial flow communication) a fan section14, a low pressure compressor18, a high pressure compressor22, a combustor26, a high pressure turbine30, and a low pressure turbine34. Types of example engines include turbojets, turbofans, turboprops, and turboshafts.

The gas turbine engine10is circumferentially disposed about an engine centerline X. During operation, the fan section14intakes air, and the compressors18,22pressurize the air. The combustor26burns fuel mixed with the pressurized air. The high and low pressure turbines30,34extract energy from the combustion gases flowing from the combustor26.

In a two-spool design, the high pressure turbine30utilizes the extracted energy from the hot combustion gases to power the high pressure compressor22through a high speed shaft38, and a low pressure turbine34utilizes the energy extracted from the hot combustion gases to power both the low pressure compressor18and a fan portion of the fan section14through a low speed shaft42.

The example method may be used with other architectures such as a single spool axial design, a three spool axial design, and other architectures. That is, there are various types of gas turbine engine component and components within other systems, many of which could benefit from the examples disclosed herein.

Referring to theFIG. 2schematic, an example turbo jet engine50, another type of engine architecture, includes a fan section54, a compressor section58, a combustor section62, a turbine section66, an augmenter section70, and a nozzle section74. The compressor section58, combustor section62, and turbine section66are often referred to as the core engine. An axis A of the engine50is generally disposed and extends longitudinally through the sections. An engine duct structure78, or engine casing, and an inner cooling liner structure82provide an annular secondary fan bypass flow path86around a primary exhaust flow path E within an exhaust section80of the engine50. The bypass flow path86receives bypass flow from the fan section54.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 4with continuing reference toFIG. 2, an example link assembly100for securing the liner structure82relative to the engine duct structure78includes a longitudinally extending link104. One end of the link104pivotably attaches to a first attachment structure108, and the other end of the link104pivotally attaches to a second attachment structure112. The first attachment structure108is secured to the liner structure82, and the second attachment structure112is secured to the engine duct structure78or casing.

The example link104is thus pivotable relative to the first attachment structure108and the second attachment structure112. In this example, the link104defines a first aperture116, which receives a pin structure120held by the first attachment structure108. The link104is pivotable relative to the first attachment structure108about an axis A defined by the pin structure120, which secures the link104relative to the first attachment structure108.

Another portion of the example link104defines a second aperture124for receiving a fastener128. The link104is pivotable relative to the second attachment structure112about an axis B defined by the pin structure120. The fastener128secures the link104to the second attachment structure112. Pivotally attaching opposing ends of the link104relative to the first attachment structure108and the second attachment structure112accommodates motion of the liner structure82relative to the duct structure78.

The example first attachment structure108defines a pair of slots132or apertures arranged on opposing sides of the link104. A pair of slider blocks136, a type of sliding member, are each moveable within a respective one of the slots132. The example slider blocks136hold respective opposing ends of the pin structure120. Thus, the pin structure120moves with the slider blocks136, which changes the location of axis A, when the slider blocks136move within the respective one of the slots132.

The example slider blocks136and pin structure120move linearly along a direction C, which is perpendicular to the axis A and the axis B. The slider blocks136, the pin structure120, and the axis A are translatable along direction C to facilitate pivoting the link104, even as the position of the first attachment structure108relative to the second attachment structure112changes. Permitting movement of the axis A accommodates some relative movement between the first attachment structure108and the second attachment structure112.

When connected, the example link104is positioned between a first flange140and a second flange144of the first attachment structure108. The first flange140and the second flange144also hold the slider blocks136. The pin structure120extends through the first aperture116between the slider blocks136. The link104, and particularly the portion of the link104defining the first aperture116, is moveable along the pin structure120in the direction of axis A between the first flange140and the second flange144. Permitting movement of the link104along the pin structure120accommodates relative movement between the first attachment structure108, and the second attachment structure112.

The slider blocks136, the pin structure120, and the axis A are moveable between multiple positions within the first attachment structure108. In an example first position, the slider blocks136contact edges150of the first attachment structure. An example second position may include the slider blocks136centered within the slots132as shown.

Referring now toFIG. 5, the example slider blocks136include a collar area148, which contacts a ledge area152of the first flange144or second flange140to limit movement of the slider blocks136toward the link104in the direction of axis A. The pin structure120includes an enlarged head156and a retainer160that similarly limit movement of the slider blocks136away from the link in the direction of axis A. The retainer160engages an end portion of the pin structure120in a known manner to hold the pin structure120, which holds the slider blocks136within the slots132.