Heat Exchanger Mounting Assembly

Abstract

A mounting assembly for a heat exchanger for a gas turbine engine. The heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of arcuate manifolds each supporting an array of fins extending from a radial inner surface. A plurality of circumferentially extending spaced weld tabs is integrally formed on the radial outer surface. A bracket assembly is utilized to attach the heat exchanger to a structural member of a gas turbine engine assembly, e.g., a fan case, in such a manner as to maximize the surface area available for fin placement, and to not interfere with the cooling circuits within the manifold. The mounting system provides adequate stiffness for high cycle fatigue loads (i.e., vibrations) and allows relative slippage between the heat exchanger and the fan case to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction to address low cycle fatigue loads.

1 . An assembly comprising:
 a first member comprising an arcuate body having a plurality of fins extending from a radial inner surface and a plurality of circumferentially extending spaced attachment sites defined on a radial outer surface; and   a bracket assembly attached in supported connection with the first member by at least one of the attachment sites, wherein the bracket assembly is sized and configured for operable association with a slip joint assembly for supported attachment of the heat exchanger assembly to a structural body of a gas turbine assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the bracket assembly includes a bracket having a base portion arranged in spaced relationship to the radial outer surface. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 2  having an opening defined in the base portion being sized and configured for reception of an attachment member. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 3  wherein the bracket assembly includes a fastener member selectively secured to the base portion proximate the opening, wherein the fastener member extends in the space between the base portion and the radial outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the bracket includes first and second arm portions extending from the base portion to provide the bracket with a c-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the arcuate body of the first member comprises an integral extruded metallic body. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 6  wherein each attachment site includes a continuous weld tab. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 7  further comprising
 a slip joint assembly operably associated with the bracket assembly wherein the slip joint assembly is configured to allow concerted sliding movement of the first member, the bracket assembly and the slip joint assembly relative to a structural body of a gas turbine assembly when a sliding force acting on the slip joint assembly exceeds a predetermined biasing force, and to prevent the concerted sliding movement when the sliding force does not exceed the predetermined sticking force. 
 
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 8  wherein the slip joint assembly includes:
 a standoff including a hollow elongated member and a flange extending outwardly from the elongated member; 
 a biasing element operably positioned about the elongated member; and 
 a retaining member disposed about the elongated member, wherein the biasing element is positioned between the flange and the retaining member. 
 
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 8  further comprising:
 the structural body of the gas turbine engine having at least one opening therein, wherein at least a portion of the hollow elongated member extends through the opening; and 
 at least one wear-resistant element operably situated between the slip joint assembly and the structural body such that at least one surface of the structural body is protected against wear from the relative movement of the slip joint assembly. 
 
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to  claim 10  further comprising:
 a bolt operably associated with the slip joint assembly and the bracket assembly such that the bolt extends through the elongated member and is selectively secured by the fastening member. 
 
     
     
         12 . An assembly comprising:
 a first member comprising an arcuate body having a plurality of fins extending from a radial inner surface and a plurality of circumferentially extending weld tabs defined on a radial outer surface; and   a bracket assembly including a bracket having a base portion and first and second arm portions extending from the base portion to provide the bracket with a c-shaped cross section, wherein each of the first and second arm portions are fixedly secured to an associated weld tab such that the base portion is arranged in spaced relationship to the radial outer surface, the bracket having an opening defined in the base portion being sized and configured for reception of an attachment member and wherein the bracket assembly includes a fastener member extending in the space between the base portion and the radial outer surface proximate the opening.