US 12,305,527 B1
Method and system for applying pre-stretch to shaft and component connection
Parag H. Mathuria, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (US); Joshua Robert Seyler, Stuart, FL (US); John A. Bellavia, Port St. Lucie, FL (US); Lajos H Horvath, Jupiter, FL (US); and Kevin Pripusich, Palm City, FL (US)
Assigned to RTX Corporation, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed by RTX CORPORATION, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed on Nov. 16, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/510,833.
Int. Cl. F01D 5/02 (2006.01); F01D 25/28 (2006.01)
CPC F01D 5/025 (2013.01) [F01D 25/285 (2013.01); F05D 2220/30 (2013.01); F05D 2230/60 (2013.01); F05D 2240/24 (2013.01); F05D 2240/55 (2013.01); F16C 2229/00 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of securing two components comprising:
receiving an input comprising a predetermined commanded pressure for achieving a pre-stretch on a shaft housed within a fixture, coupled to a first component and extending through a second component;
in response to receiving the input, causing hydraulic fluid to be provided to the fixture at a pressure to achieve the predetermined commanded pressure, to initiate the pre-stretch on the shaft;
receiving, from a sensor, a measured stretch of the shaft;
determining if the measured stretch is within a range of acceptable stretch;
based on a determination that the measured stretch is within the range of acceptable stretch, causing an indication of acceptability to be displayed, the indication of acceptability being an instruction to tighten a nut to secure the shaft to the second component; and
wherein the pressure comprises a pressurization schedule in which the pressure increases towards the commanded pressure initially at a first slow rate, then at an increased rate, then returned to a second slow rate as the commanded pressure is approached.