Crushable spacer and bolted joint for a gas turbine engine

Abstract

A bolted joint apparatus includes: a first component including a first row of first bolt holes extending therethrough; a second component including a second row of second bolt holes extending therethrough wherein the second bolt holes are aligned coaxially with the first bolt holes, a plurality of fasteners, each of fasteners disposed through aligned pairs of the first and second bolt holes to couple together the first and second components, each of the fasteners including a shank; and crushable spacers disposed around the shanks of the fasteners, the crushable spacers clamped in compression between the fasteners and one of the components, wherein each of the crushable spacers has a tubular body interconnecting first and second enlarged ends, the tubular body being defined by a peripheral wall which incorporates at least one weakening feature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bolted joint apparatus, comprising:
 a first component including a first row of first bolt holes extending therethrough;   a second component including a second row of second bolt holes extending therethrough, wherein the second bolt holes are aligned coaxially with the first bolt holes,   a plurality of fasteners, each of fasteners disposed through aligned pairs of the first and second bolt holes to couple together the first and second components, each of the fasteners including a shank; and   crushable spacers disposed around the shanks of the fasteners, the crushable spacers clamped in compression between the fasteners and one of the components, wherein each of the crushable spacers has a tubular body including a central portion interconnecting first and second enlarged ends, the tubular body being defined by a peripheral wall which incorporates at least one weakening feature.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fasteners comprise bolts, each of the bolts including a bolt head, a thread, and a shank therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising a plurality of nuts, each nut engaging the threads of one of the bolts. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one weakening feature is an opening formed in the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the opening passes completely through the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the opening is an elongated slot. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one weakening feature is an hourglass shape of the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one weakening feature is a kink in the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one weakening feature is a discrete thin section in the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the thin section is configured as an annular band. 
     
     
         11 . A gas turbine engine, comprising: turbomachinery components including a fan, a compressor, a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine arranged in serial flow relationship and circumscribed about an engine centerline axis; and a supporting static structure circumscribing the turbomachinery components; wherein at least one of the turbomachinery components and the static structure include a bolted flange assembly, including:
 a first component having a first flange including a first row of first bolt holes extending therethrough;   a second component having a second flange including a second row of second bolt holes extending therethrough, wherein the second bolt holes are aligned coaxially with the first bolt holes;   a plurality of fasteners, each of fasteners disposed through aligned pairs of the first and second bolt holes to couple together the first and second flanges, each of the fasteners including a shank; and   crushable spacers disposed around the shanks of the fasteners, the crushable spacers clamped in compression between the fasteners and one of the flanges, wherein each of the crushable spacers includes a tubular body extending axially between first and second enlarged ends, the tubular body being defined by a peripheral wall that incorporates at least one weakening feature.   
     
     
         12 . The engine of  claim 11  wherein the fasteners comprise bolts, each of the bolts including a bolt head, a thread, and a shank therebetween. 
     
     
         13 . The engine of  claim 12  further comprising a plurality of nuts, each nut engaging the threads of one of the bolts. 
     
     
         14 . The engine of  claim 11  wherein the at least one weakening feature is an opening formed in the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         15 . The engine of  claim 11  wherein the opening passes completely through the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         16 . The engine of  claim 14  wherein the opening is an elongated slot. 
     
     
         17 . The engine of  claim 11  wherein the at least one weakening feature is an hourglass shape of the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         18 . The engine of  claim 11  wherein the at least one weakening feature is a kink in the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         19 . The engine of  claim 11  wherein the at least one weakening feature is a discrete thin section in the peripheral wall. 
     
     
         20 . The engine of  claim 11  wherein the thin section is configured as an annular band.