FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to gas turbine engines and, more particularly, to a system for coupling a component to an isogrid case of a gas turbine engine.

BACKGROUND

Gas turbine engines include compressor sections to compress an airflow, combustor sections that combine the airflow with fuel for combustion and generate exhaust, and turbine sections that convert the exhaust into torque to drive the compressor sections. An isogrid case, having various external and/or internal ribs, may enclose a portion or all of one or more of the compressor section, the combustor section, and the turbine section. It may be desirable to couple various components to the isogrid case to maintain consistent clearance to the case or to provide vibration damping or structural support to the component. For example, it may be desirable to couple one or more cable, harness, pipe or tube to the isogrid case, such harness carrying electrical wiring and the pipe or tube carrying fluids to various components of the gas turbine engine. Conventional methods of coupling these components to isogrid cases include strategically locating thick-walled pads in the case wall where the tubes and other components are to be attached, and coupling the tubes and components to the pads. However, permanent thick-walled mounting pads may fail to offer the ability de-tune unpredicted vibratory issues that may occur during engine operation, and such mounting pads may not be reusable or replaceable. These thick wall pads may also increase manufacturing complexity and provide for inhomogeneity of the part structural requirements, thus further increasing the complexity of the design process.

SUMMARY

Described herein is a clamp for securing a component to an isogrid case of a gas turbine engine. The clamp includes a top having an attachment feature for coupling the clamp to the component. The clamp further includes a bottom. The clamp further includes two sides extending from the top towards the bottom, each of the two sides being thicker at the bottom than at the top, and the two sides defining a shaped slot closer to the bottom than the top for receiving a rib of the isogrid case.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the shaped slot has a vertical portion defined between the two sides, and a horizontal portion partially defined by a first side of the two sides and partially defined by a second side of the two sides.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the two sides defines a boss for receiving a fastener.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the boss on at least one of the two sides is threaded.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the two sides defines a lightening hole closer to the bottom than the top and configured to reduce a total weight of the clamp.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the attachment feature includes a threaded post formed monolithic with the clamp or coupled to the clamp.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a vibration isolating coating applied to portions of the two sides and the bottom.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the vibration isolating coating includes at least one of an elastomer or a thermoplastic.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the clamp is configured to be fastened to the rib of the isogrid case by spreading the two sides apart, placing the shaped slot over the rib, and securing the clamp to the rib using a fastener through the two sides to reduce the likelihood of the two sides separating.

Also disclosed is a clamp for securing a component to an isogrid case of a gas turbine engine. The clamp includes a top having an attachment feature for coupling the clamp to the component. The clamp further includes a bottom. The clamp further includes two sides extending from the top towards the bottom, each of the two sides being thicker at the bottom than at the top, and the two sides defining a shaped slot closer to the bottom than the top for receiving a rib of the isogrid case, the shaped slot having a vertical portion defined between the two sides and a horizontal portion at least partially defined by each of the two sides, and each of the two sides defining a boss for receiving a fastener.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the boss on at least one of the two sides is threaded.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the two sides defines a lightening hole closer to the bottom than the top and configured to reduce a total weight of the clamp.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the attachment feature includes a threaded post formed monolithic with the clamp or coupled to the clamp.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may further include a vibration isolating coating applied to portions of the two sides and the bottom.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the vibration isolating coating includes at least one of an elastomer or a thermoplastic.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the clamp is configured to be fastened to the rib of the isogrid case by spreading the two sides apart, placing the shaped slot over the rib, and securing the clamp to the rib using the fastener through the two sides to reduce the likelihood of the two sides separating.

Also disclosed is a system for securing components to a gas turbine engine. The system includes an isogrid case having a rib and configured to be coupled to the gas turbine engine. The system further includes a clamp for securing a component to the isogrid case. The clamp includes a top having an attachment feature for coupling the clamp to the component. The clamp further includes a bottom. The clamp further includes two sides extending from the top towards the bottom, each of the two sides being thicker at the bottom than at the top, and the two sides defining a shaped slot closer to the bottom than the top for receiving the rib of the isogrid case to couple the clamp to the isogrid case.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, the shaped slot has a vertical portion defined between the two sides, and a horizontal portion partially defined by a first side of the two sides and partially defined by a second side of the two sides.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the two sides defines a boss for receiving a fastener, and wherein the boss on at least one of the two sides is threaded.

In any of the foregoing embodiments, each of the two sides defines a lightening hole closer to the bottom than the top and configured to reduce a total weight of the clamp.

The foregoing features and elements are to be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.

