Patent Description:
Aircraft wheel and brake assemblies typically include a heat shield located between the friction disks of the heat sink and the radially inward surface of the wheel. Heat shields are generally not fastened directly to the wheel and may move radially and/or circumferentially. Movement and/or distortion of the heat shield can lead to wear on the heat shield and/or on components of the wheel (e.g., the fuse plug lug). <CIT> relates to a heat shield installation. <CIT> relates to a retainer assembly.

A heat shield retainer is disclosed herein. A heat shield retainer according to the invention is disclosed in claim <NUM>.

In various embodiments, heat shield retainer may further comprise a first lower flange located at the first circumferential end of the heat shield retainer and extending in a first circumferential direction and a first upper flange located at the first circumferential end of the heat shield retainer and extending in the first circumferential direction. The first lower flange and the first upper flange may define, at least, a portion of the first shield groove. A second lower flange may be located at the second circumferential end of the heat shield retainer and may extend in a second circumferential direction opposite the first circumferential direction. A second upper flange may be located at the second circumferential end of the heat shield retainer and may extend in the second circumferential direction. The second lower flange and the second upper flange may define, at least, a portion of the second shield groove.

In various embodiments, the first bumper standoff may further comprise :a first sidewall extending from the first bumper portion to a first flange of the first attachment portion, and a second sidewall extending from the first bumper portion to a second flange of the first attachment portion.

In various embodiments, the first bumper portion may comprise a rectangular shape. In various embodiments, the first sidewall may be approximately normal to the first flange, and the second sidewall may be approximately normal to the second flange.

In various embodiments, the first bumper portion of the first bumper standoff and the second bumper portion of the second bumper standoff may each comprise a conical shape. In various embodiments, a first retainer bumper may be located in the first bumper opening, and a second retainer bumper may be located in the second bumper opening.

A heat shield for a wheel assembly is also disclosed herein. In accordance with various embodiments, the heat shield may comprise a plurality of heat shield segments, a plurality of shield bumpers coupled to a radially outward surface of each heat shield segment of the plurality of heat shield segments, and a plurality of heat shield retainers coupled to the plurality of heat shield segments. Each heat shield retainer of the plurality of heat shield retainers may be coupled to a pair of circumferentially adjacent heat shield segments of the plurality of heat shield segments. Each heat shield retainer of the plurality of heat shield retainers may include a first bumper standoff and a second bumper standoff located over a first radially outward surface of the heat shield retainer. Each of the first bumper standoff and the second bumper standoff may comprise an attachment portion coupled to the first radially outward surface of the heat shield retainer and a bumper portion defining a bumper opening.

In various embodiments, each heat shield retainer of the plurality of heat shield retainers may further comprise a first retainer bumper located in the bumper opening of the first bumper standoff, and a second retainer bumper located the bumper opening of the second bumper standoff.

In various embodiments, each of the first bumper standoff and the second bumper standoff may further comprise a first sidewall extending from the bumper portion to a first flange of the attachment portion, and a second sidewall extending from the bumper portion to a second flange of the attachment portion. In various embodiments, the first sidewall may be approximately normal to the first flange, and the second sidewall may be approximately normal to the second flange.

In various embodiments, the bumper portion of each of the first bumper standoff and the second bumper standoff may comprise a rectangular shape. In various embodiments, the bumper portion of each of the first bumper standoff and the second bumper standoff may comprise a conical shape.

In various embodiments, the first retainer bumper may be located closer to a first axial end of the heat shield retainer than to a second axial end of the heat shield retainer, and the second retainer bumper may be located closer to a midline of the heat shield retainer than to the second axial end of the heat shield retainer, where the midline is halfway between the first axial end of the heat shield retainer and the second axial end of the heat shield retainer.

A wheel assembly is also disclosed herein. In accordance with various embodiments, the wheel assembly may comprise a wheel and a heat shield located radially inward of an inner circumferential surface of the wheel. The heat shield may comprise a plurality of heat shield segments, a plurality of shield bumpers coupled to a radially outward surface of each heat shield segment of the plurality of heat shield segments, and a plurality of heat shield retainers coupled to the plurality of heat shield segments. Each heat shield retainer of the plurality of heat shield retainers may be coupled to a pair of circumferentially adjacent heat shield segments of the plurality of heat shield segments. Each heat shield retainer of the plurality of heat shield retainers may include a first bumper standoff and a second bumper standoff located over a first radially outward surface of the heat shield retainer. Each of the first bumper standoff and the second bumper standoff may comprise an attachment portion coupled to the first radially outward surface of the heat shield retainer and a bumper portion defining a bumper opening.

In various embodiments, each of the first bumper standoff and the second bumper standoff may further comprise a first sidewall extending from the bumper portion to a first flange of the attachment portion, and a second sidewall extending from the bumper portion to a second flange of the attachment portion.

In various embodiments, the first retainer bumper may be located closer to a first axial end of the heat shield retainer than to a second axial end of the heat shield retainer, and the second retainer bumper may be located closer to a fuse plug lug of the wheel than to the second axial end of the heat shield retainer.

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present invention, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the exemplary embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this invention and the teachings herein without departing from the scope of the invention as in the appended claims.

Surface shading and cross hatching may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. Throughout the present invention, like reference numbers denote like elements. Accordingly, elements with like element numbering may be shown in the figures, but may not necessarily be repeated herein for the sake of clarity.

A first component that is "radially outward" of a second component means that the first component is positioned a greater distance away from a common axis of the first component and the second component as compared to the second component. A first component that is "radially inward" of a second component means that the first component is positioned closer to the common axis of the first and second components than the second component.

With reference to <FIG>, a wheel assembly <NUM> is illustrated. In accordance with various embodiments, wheel assembly <NUM> includes a wheel <NUM> and a plurality of torque bars <NUM>. Torque bars <NUM> may be located circumferentially along an inner circumferential surface <NUM> of wheel <NUM>. Inner circumferential surface <NUM> is oriented radially inward and toward an axis of rotation R of wheel <NUM>. As used herein, the term "axial" refers to directions parallel to axis of rotation R, the term "radial" refers to directions perpendicular to axis of rotation R, and the term "circumferential" refers to directions about axis of rotation R. Wheel <NUM> may be configured to support a tire between an inboard rim <NUM> and an outboard rim <NUM> of wheel <NUM>.

Torque bars <NUM> may be coupled to wheel <NUM> via a fastener <NUM>. Fastener <NUM> may comprise a bolt, screw, rivet, pin, clip, or any other suitable securement mechanism. Torque bars <NUM> may be oriented parallel to axis of rotation R of wheel <NUM>. Torque bars <NUM> are configured to engage a brake assembly, which may be operably coupled to wheel <NUM> and configured to slow and/or stop rotation of wheel <NUM> about axis of rotation R.

Each torque bar <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. Second end <NUM> is axially opposite the first end <NUM>. Torque bar <NUM> may define a fastener opening <NUM> proximate first end <NUM>. Fastener <NUM> may extend through fastener opening <NUM>. A pin <NUM> of torque bar <NUM> is located at, and extends axially from, second end <NUM>. Pin <NUM> is configured to be received within a pin opening <NUM> (<FIG>) defined by wheel <NUM>.

In accordance with various, wheel assembly <NUM> includes a heat shield <NUM>. Heat shield <NUM> is located radially inward of wheel <NUM>. Torque bars <NUM> are located radially inward of heat shield <NUM>. In this regard, heat shield <NUM> may be located between torque bars <NUM> and inner circumferential surface <NUM> of wheel <NUM>. Heat shield <NUM> may protect wheel <NUM> from heat generated during brake (e.g., heat generated by the friction disks of a braking assembly operably attached to wheel <NUM>).

With reference to <FIG>, additional details of heat shield <NUM> are illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. Heat shield <NUM> comprises a plurality of heat shield segments <NUM>. Each heat shield segment <NUM> may have an arcuate shape, such that together the heat shield segments <NUM> form the generally annual shape of heat shield <NUM>.

Heat shield <NUM> further includes a plurality of heat shield retainers <NUM>. Each heat shield retainer <NUM> is located between a pair of adjacent heat shield segments <NUM>. Each heat shield retainer <NUM> is configured to receive and/or be coupled to circumferentially adjacent heat shield segments <NUM>. Each heat shield segment <NUM> may include a first circumferential edge <NUM> (i.e., an edge extending in the axial direction) and a second circumferential edge <NUM> opposite the first circumferential edge <NUM>. Each heat shield retainer <NUM> may be configured to receive the first circumferential edge <NUM> of a first heat shield segment 122a and the second circumferential edge <NUM> of a second heat shield segment 122b, which is circumferentially adjacent to the first circumferential edge <NUM> of the first heat shield segment 122a. In various embodiments, each heat shield retainer <NUM> is radially aligned (i.e., radially overlaps) with a torque bar <NUM>.

In various embodiments, heat shield <NUM> may further include a plurality of torque bar spacer assemblies <NUM>. Each torque bar spacer assembly <NUM> is coupled to a pair of circumferentially adjacent heat shield segments <NUM>. Torque bar spacer assembly <NUM> may include a torque bar spacer <NUM> and two or more fasteners <NUM>. A first fastener <NUM> of torque bar spacer assembly <NUM> couples torque bar spacer <NUM> to the first heat shield segment 122a of the pair of circumferentially adjacent heat shield segments <NUM>. A second fastener <NUM> of torque bar spacer assembly <NUM> couples torque bar spacer <NUM> to the second heat shield segment 122b of the pair of circumferentially adjacent heat shield segments <NUM>. In various embodiments, the fastener <NUM> that couples torque bar <NUM> to the wheel <NUM> (<FIG>) may extend through torque bar spacer <NUM>.

In accordance with various embodiments, each heat shield retainer <NUM> includes one or more retainer bumpers <NUM>, and each heat shield segment <NUM> includes one or more shield bumpers <NUM>. Stated differently, retainer bumpers <NUM> are coupled to heat shield retainers <NUM>, and shield bumpers <NUM> are coupled to heat shield segments <NUM>. Retainer bumpers <NUM> and shield bumpers <NUM> extend radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of heat shield <NUM>. With combined reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, retainer bumpers <NUM> and shield bumpers <NUM> may contact inner circumferential surface <NUM> of wheel <NUM>. Retainer bumpers <NUM> and shield bumpers <NUM> may maintain a preselected radial distance between heat shield <NUM> and inner circumferential surface <NUM> of wheel <NUM>. In this regard, retainer bumpers <NUM> and shield bumpers <NUM> tend to prevent, or reduce, occurrences of heat shield <NUM> physically contacting wheel <NUM> and/or tend to decrease deflection of heat shield <NUM>, thereby helping to maintain the diameter and/or shape of heat shield <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, in various embodiments, each heat shield segment <NUM> may include four (<NUM>) shield bumpers <NUM>, such as first shield bumper 142a, second shield bumper 142b, third shield bumper 142c, and fourth shield bumper 142d. In various embodiments, each heat shield retainer <NUM> may include two (<NUM>) retainer bumpers <NUM>, such as first (or inboard) retainer bumper 140a and second (or outboard) retainer bumper 140b. In various embodiments, shield bumpers <NUM> may be arranged in a "diamond" pattern. In this regard, first shield bumper 142a may be axially aligned with second shield bumper 142b, third shield bumper 142c may be circumferentially aligned with fourth shield bumper 142d, third and fourth shield bumpers 142c, 142d may be located axially between first shield bumper 142a and second shield bumper 142b, and first and second shield bumpers 142a, 142b may be located circumferentially between third shield bumper 142c and fourth shield bumper 142d.

In various embodiments, first shield bumper 142a is circumferentially aligned with first retainer bumper 140a. As used herein, "circumferentially aligned" means first shield bumper 142a and first retainer bumper 140a are about equal distance from an axial end <NUM> of heat shield <NUM>. As used in the previous context only "about" means ±<NUM>% of the distance from axial end <NUM>. With combined reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, in various embodiments, the locations of first shield bumper 142a and first retainer bumper 140a correspond to a portion of inner circumferential surface <NUM> having the smallest diameter. For example, inner circumferential surface <NUM> may include curvatures such that various annular portions/areas of inner circumferential surface <NUM> are spaced at different distances from axis of rotation R. The first shield bumper 142a and first retainer bumper 140a are radially aligned with, and are configured to contact, the radially-inward-most portion of inner circumferential surface <NUM>. Aligning first shield bumper 142a and first retainer bumper 140a with the radially-inward-most portion of inner circumferential surface <NUM> tends to reduce, or prevent, deflection of heat shield segments <NUM> and heat shield retainers <NUM> while reducing, or minimizing, the size and weight of first shield bumper 142a and first retainer bumper 140a and/or the size of the bumper standoffs <NUM>, discussed in further detail below.

With particular reference to <FIG>, in various embodiments, third and fourth shield bumpers 142c, 142d are circumferentially aligned with a fuse plug <NUM>. Fuse plug <NUM> may be configured to release air from a tire attached to wheel <NUM> (<FIG>) in response to an overheating of wheel assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a cross-section view of wheel assembly <NUM>, taken along <FIG>-<FIG> in <FIG>, is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, fuse plug <NUM> may include a eutectic <NUM> configured to melt at a threshold temperature. The eutectic <NUM> is configured to melt and flow out fuse plug <NUM>, in response to a temperature equal to or greater than the threshold temperature, thereby creating an open fluid path to the tire located over an outer circumferential surface <NUM> of wheel <NUM>. The open fluid path allows air to flow out from the tire, thereby reducing the pressure of the tire. Fuse plug <NUM> is located in a fuse plug lug <NUM> of wheel <NUM>. Fuse plug lug <NUM> extends radially inward from inner circumferential surface <NUM> of wheel <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, circumferentially aligning third and fourth shield bumpers 142c, 142d with fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM> tends to prevent, or reduce, deflection of the portions of heat shield segments <NUM> proximate fuse plug <NUM>, thereby maintaining the space between fuse plug <NUM> and heat shield retainers <NUM>. Maintaining space between fuse plug <NUM> and heat shield retainers <NUM> helps to ensure that eutectic <NUM> (<FIG>) and fluid from the tire will be able to flow out fuse plug <NUM>. In other words, maintaining space between fuse plug <NUM> and heat shield retainers <NUM> reduces the probability of heat shield retainer <NUM> blocking, or otherwise hindering, the flow of eutectic <NUM> (<FIG>) and/or air through fuse plug <NUM>. In accordance with various embodiments, the diamond configuration of shield bumpers <NUM> tends to prevent, or reduce, deflection of heat shield <NUM>, while minimizing and/or reducing the number of shield bumpers <NUM> per heat shield segment <NUM>. Reducing the number of shield bumpers <NUM> decreases the weight the of heat shield <NUM> and/or the costs associated with installing and/or repairing/replacing the shield bumpers <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a heat shield retainer <NUM> is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. Heat shield retainer <NUM> includes a first radially outward surface <NUM> and a second radially inward surface <NUM>. Second radially inward surface <NUM> is opposite and oriented away from first radially outward surface <NUM>. Heat shield retainer <NUM> includes a first lower flange <NUM> located at a first circumferential side <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>, and a second lower flange <NUM> located at a second circumferential side <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>. First and second lower flanges <NUM>, <NUM> extend away from one another and in opposite circumferential directions. In this regard, first lower flange <NUM> extends away from second lower flange <NUM> in a first circumferential direction, and second lower flange <NUM> extends away from first lower flange <NUM> in a second circumferential direction that is opposite the first circumferential direction.

Heat shield retainer <NUM> includes a fastener flange <NUM> located at a first axial end <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>. Fastener flange <NUM> extends axially from first axial end <NUM> and defines a fastener opening <NUM>. Fastener <NUM> (<FIG>) may be located through fastener opening <NUM>. Heat shield retainer <NUM> further includes tip flange <NUM> located at a second axial end <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>. Second axial end <NUM> is opposite first axial end <NUM>. Tip flange <NUM> extends radially inward from second axial end <NUM> and defines a pin opening <NUM>, configured to receive pin <NUM> (<FIG>) of torque bar <NUM>. In this regard, pin <NUM> may be located through pin opening <NUM>.

Heat shield retainer <NUM> further includes one or more first upper flange(s) <NUM> located at first circumferential side <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>, and one or more second upper flange(s) <NUM> located at second circumferential side <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>. First and second upper flanges <NUM>, <NUM> may be coupled to first radially outward surface <NUM>. First upper flange(s) and second upper flange(s) <NUM> extend away from one another and in opposite circumferential directions. In this regard, first upper flange(s) <NUM> extend away from second upper flange(s) <NUM> in the first circumferential direction, and second upper flange(s) <NUM> extend away from first upper flange(s) <NUM> in the second circumferential direction.

First upper flange(s) <NUM> is/are radially outward of first lower flange <NUM> and is/are spaced apart from first lower flange <NUM>, such that a first gap G1 is formed between first upper flange(s) <NUM> and first lower flange <NUM>. Stated differently, first gap G1 is defined by a radially inward surface of first upper flange(s) <NUM> and a radially outward surface of first lower flange <NUM>. Second upper flange(s) <NUM> is/are radially outward of second lower flange <NUM> and is/are spaced apart from second lower flange <NUM>, such that a second gap G2 is formed between second upper flange(s) <NUM> and second lower flange <NUM>. Stated differently, second gap G2 is defined by a radially inward surface of second upper flange(s) <NUM> and a radially outward surface of second lower flange <NUM>.

With combined reference to <FIG> and <FIG> and <FIG>, first gap G1 is configured to receive the first circumferential edge <NUM> of a first heat shield segment 122a and second gap G2 is configured to receive the second circumferential edge <NUM> of a second circumferentially adjacent heat shield segment 122b. Stated differently, the first circumferential edge <NUM> of a first heat shield segment 122a of a pair of circumferentially adjacent heat shield segments <NUM> may be located in first gap G1 and the second circumferential edge <NUM> of a second heat shield segment 122b of the pair of circumferentially adjacent heat shield segments <NUM> may be located in second gap G2 (i.e., the first circumferential edge <NUM> is located between the radially inward surface of first upper flange(s) <NUM> and the radially outward surface of first lower flange <NUM>, and the second circumferential edge <NUM> is located between the radially inward surface of second upper flange(s) <NUM> and the radially outward surface of second lower flange <NUM>).

In accordance with various embodiments, a first (or inboard) bumper standoff 148a is located over first radially outward surface <NUM>. In various embodiments, a second (or outboard) bumper standoff 148a is located over first radially outward surface <NUM>. First and second bumper standoffs 148a, 148b each include an attachment portion <NUM> and bumper portion <NUM>. Attachment portion <NUM> is coupled to and may contact first radially outward surface <NUM>. For example, attachment portion may include one or more flanges attached to first radially outward surface <NUM>. Attachment portion <NUM> may be coupled to first radially outward surface <NUM> via welding, adhesive, fastener(s), or any other suitable attachment means. Bumper portion <NUM> is radially outward of attachment portion <NUM> and is spaced apart from first radially outward surface <NUM>. Each bumper portion <NUM> defines a bumper opening <NUM> configured to receive a retainer bumper <NUM>. In <FIG>, second retainer bumper 140b is removed from second bumper standoff 148b to better illustrate bumper opening <NUM>.

First bumper standoff 148a is axially spaced apart from second bumper standoff 148b by a distance D1. Distance D1 is selected such that first bumper standoff 148a and second bumper standoff 148b are spaced apart from fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM>, with momentary reference to <FIG>. State differently, first bumper standoff 148a and second bumper standoff 148b are radially offset from fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM> (i.e., first bumper standoff 148a and second bumper standoff 148b do not overlap fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM> in the radial direction).

In accordance with various embodiments, first retainer bumper 140a (and thus the bumper opening <NUM> in which first retainer bumper 140a is located) is located closer to first axial end <NUM> than to second axial end <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>. Second retainer bumper 140b (and thus the bumper opening <NUM> in which second retainer bumper 140b is located) is located closer to second axial end <NUM> than to first axial end <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>. In various embodiments, second retainer bumper 140b (and thus the bumper opening <NUM> in which second retainer bumper 140b is located) may be located as close as possible to fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM> without causing second bumper standoff 148b to overlap fuse plug <NUM> or fuse plug lug <NUM>. In this regard, second retainer bumper 140b (and thus the bumper opening <NUM> in which second retainer bumper 140b is located) may be located closer to fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM> than to second axial end <NUM>. In various embodiments, second retainer bumper 140b (and thus the bumper opening <NUM> in which second retainer bumper 140b is located) may be located closer to an imaginary midline <NUM> of heat shield retainers <NUM> than to second axial end <NUM>, where the imaginary midline <NUM> of heat shield retainers <NUM> is located halfway between first axial end <NUM> and second axial end <NUM>. In various embodiments, heat shield retainers <NUM> may experience the greatest deflection or bending moment proximate fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM>. Locating second retainer bumper 140b proximate fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM>, without radially overlapping, tends to reduce or minimize deflection, while avoiding blockage of the fluid path of the eutectic <NUM> and the air from the tire.

With reference to <FIG>, in various embodiments, each of first bumper standoff 148a and second bumper standoff 148b may be flat bumper standoffs. In this regard, bumper portion <NUM> of each of first bumper standoff 148a and second bumper standoff 148b may have a generally square or rectangular shape. Each of first bumper standoff 148a and second bumper standoff 148b may include bumper portion <NUM>, a first sidewall <NUM> extending from bumper portion <NUM> to a first flange <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM>, and a second sidewall <NUM> extending from bumper portion <NUM> to a second flange <NUM> of attachment portion <NUM>. Each of first flange <NUM> and second flange <NUM> may be coupled to first radially outward surface <NUM> via welding, adhesive, fastener(s), or any other suitable attachment means. In various embodiments, first sidewall <NUM> is approximately normal to first flange <NUM>, and second sidewall <NUM> is approximately normal to second flange <NUM>. As used in the previous context only, "approximately" means ±<NUM>°. A radially inward surface of bumper portion <NUM> is spaced apart from first radially outward surface <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in various embodiments, heat shield retainer <NUM> may include one or more conically shaped bumper standoffs, such as first bumper standoff 210a and second bumper standoff 210b, located over first radially outward surface <NUM>. First (or inboard) bumper standoff 210a is axially spaced apart from second (or outboard) bumper standoff 210b by distance D1. In this regard, first bumper standoff 210a and second bumper standoff 210b are radially offset from fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM> (<FIG>) (i.e., neither first bumper standoff 210a nor second bumper standoff 148b radially overlaps fuse plug <NUM> or fuse plug lug <NUM>).

In accordance with various embodiments, first and second bumper standoffs 210a, 210b each include an attachment portion <NUM> and a bumper portion <NUM>. Attachment portion <NUM> is coupled to and may contact first radially outward surface <NUM>. For example, attachment portion <NUM> may include a first flange <NUM> and a second flange <NUM> attached to first radially outward surface <NUM>. First and second flanges <NUM>, <NUM> may be coupled to first radially outward surface <NUM> via welding, adhesive, fastener(s), or any other suitable attachment means. Each bumper portion <NUM> defines a bumper opening <NUM> configured to receive a retainer bumper <NUM>, e.g., as shown in <FIG>, similar to bumper openings <NUM> in <FIG>. Bumper portion <NUM> may have a conical shape. In this regard, a diameter of bumper portion <NUM> may decrease in the radially outward direction. Stated differently, a first diameter <NUM> of bumper portion <NUM> is greater than a second diameter <NUM> of bumper portion <NUM>, where the first diameter <NUM> is measured at attachment portion <NUM> (e.g., at the radially outward surface <NUM> of either of first and second flanges <NUM>, <NUM>, and the second diameter is measured at radially outward surface <NUM> of bumper portion <NUM>. Radially outward surface <NUM> may be approximately parallel to radially outward surface <NUM>. As used in the previous context only, "approximately" means ±<NUM>°. Radially outward surface <NUM> defines bumper opening <NUM>.

In accordance with various embodiments, the bumper opening <NUM> in first bumper standoff 210a is located closer to first axial end <NUM> than to second axial end <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>. The bumper opening <NUM> in second bumper standoff 210b is located closer to second axial end <NUM> than to first axial end <NUM> of heat shield retainer <NUM>. In various embodiments, the bumper opening <NUM> in second bumper standoff 210b may be located as close as possible to fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM> (<FIG>) without causing second bumper standoff 210b to overlap fuse plug <NUM> or fuse plug lug <NUM>. In this regard, the retainer bumper 140b located in second bumper standoff 210b may be located closer to fuse plug <NUM> and fuse plug lug <NUM> than to second axial end <NUM>. In various embodiments, the retainer bumper <NUM> and the bumper opening <NUM> in second bumper standoff 210b are located closer to imaginary midline <NUM> than to second axial end <NUM>.

However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the invention.

The scope of the invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more. " All ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined.

Moreover, where a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B, and C" is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, Band C, or A and B and C.

For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

Claim 1:
A heat shield retainer (<NUM>), comprising:
a first radially outward surface (<NUM>);
a second radially inward surface (<NUM>) oriented away from the first radially outward surface;
a first shield groove located along a first circumferential end of the heat shield retainer (<NUM>);
a second shield groove located along a second circumferential end of the heat shield retainer (<NUM>) opposite the first circumferential end; characterised in that,
a first bumper standoff (148a) located over the first radially outward surface (<NUM>), the first bumper standoff including a first attachment portion (<NUM>) coupled to the first radially outward surface (<NUM>) and a first bumper portion (<NUM>) defining a first bumper opening (<NUM>); and
a second bumper standoff (148b) located over the first radially outward surface (<NUM>), the second bumper standoff including a second attachment portion (<NUM>) coupled to the first radially outward surface and a second bumper portion (<NUM>) defining a second bumper opening (<NUM>).