Gas turbine engine assembly and method of assembling same

Abstract

A method for assembling a gas turbine engine assembly, including a gas turbine engine, a power turbine coupled to the gas turbine engine, and a thrust bearing coupled to the power turbine. The method includes coupling a first annular portion having a first radius to the power turbine, coupling a second annular portion having a second radius to the thrust bearing, wherein the first radius is different than the second radius, and coupling a plurality of structural members between the first and second portions such that the thrust assembly has a substantially frusto-conical shape.

1 . A method for assembling a gas turbine engine assembly, including a gas turbine engine, a power turbine coupled to the gas turbine engine, and a thrust bearing coupled to the power turbine, said method comprising: 
 coupling a first annular portion having a first radius to the power turbine;    coupling a second annular portion having a second radius to the thrust bearing, wherein the first radius is different than the second radius; and    coupling a plurality of structural members between the first and second portions such that the thrust assembly has a substantially frusto-conical shape.    
   
   
       2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein coupling a second annular portion having a second radius to the thrust bearing further comprises coupling a second annular portion having a second radius that is less than the first to the thrust bearing.  
   
   
       3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising forming the first portion, the second portion, and the structural members as a unitary thrust assembly.  
   
   
       4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said method further comprises: 
 coupling a first attachment foot to a connecting member first end; and    coupling a second attachment foot a connecting member second end to form a unitary structurally member.    
   
   
       5 . A method in accordance with  claim 4  further comprising: 
 coupling the first attachment foot to the first portion; and    coupling the second attachment foot to the second portion.    
   
   
       6 . A method in accordance with  claim 5  further comprising: 
 providing a connecting member having a width and a thickness; and    coupling a first attachment foot to the connecting member, wherein the attachment foot includes a first end and a second end, the first end having a width and a thickness that is substantially similar to the connecting member width and thickness, the second end having a width that is substantially greater than the connecting member width and a thickness that is substantially less than the connecting member thickness.    
   
   
       7 . A thrust assembly for a gas turbine engine assembly that includes a gas turbine engine, a power turbine coupled to the gas turbine engine, and a thrust bearing coupled to the power turbine, said thrust assembly comprising: 
 a first annular portion having a first radius coupled to said power turbine;    a second annular portion having a second radius coupled to said thrust bearing, said first radius different than said second radius; and    a plurality of structural members extending between said first and second portions such that said thrust assembly has a substantially frusto-conical shape.    
   
   
       8 . A thrust assembly in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said first radius is greater than said second radius.  
   
   
       9 . A thrust assembly in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said first portion, said second portion, and said structural members are formed unitarily.  
   
   
       10 . A thrust assembly in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said connecting members comprise: 
 a first attachment foot;    a second attachment foot; and    a connecting member that extends between and is coupled to said first and second attachment feet.    
   
   
       11 . A thrust assembly in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said first attachment foot is coupled to said first portion and said second attachment foot is coupled to said second portion.  
   
   
       12 . A thrust assembly in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising: 
 a connecting member having a width and a thickness; and    a first attachment foot comprising:    a first end and a second end, said first end having a width and a thickness that is substantially similar to said connecting member width and thickness, said second end having a width that is substantially greater than said connecting member width and a thickness that is substantially less than said connecting member thickness.    
   
   
       13 . A thrust assembly in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said thrust assembly comprises seven connecting members.  
   
   
       14 . A gas turbine engine assembly comprising: 
 a gas turbine engine comprising: 
 a first compressor;  
 a second compressor downstream from said first compressor;  
 a turbine coupled in flow communication with said second compressor;  
   a power turbine coupled to said gas turbine engine;    a thrust bearing coupled to said power turbine; and    a thrust assembly coupled between said power turbine and said thrust bearing, said thrust bearing assembly comprising:    a first annular portion having a first radius coupled to said power turbine;    a second annular portion having a second radius coupled to said thrust bearing, said first radius different than said second radius; and    a plurality of structural members extending between said first and second portions such that said thrust assembly has a substantially frusto-conical shape.    
   
   
       15 . A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said first radius is greater than said second radius.  
   
   
       16 . A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said first portion, said second portion, and said structural members are formed unitarily.  
   
   
       17 . A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said connecting members comprise: 
 a first attachment foot;    a second attachment foot; and    a connecting member that extends between and is coupled to said first and second attachment feet.    
   
   
       18 . A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said first attachment foot is coupled to said first portion and said second attachment foot is coupled to said second portion.  
   
   
       19 . A thrust assembly in accordance with  claim 14  further comprising: 
 a connecting member having a width and a thickness; and    a first attachment foot comprising:    a first end and a second end, said first end having a width and a thickness that is substantially similar to said connecting member width and thickness, said second end having a width that is substantially greater than said connecting member width and a thickness that is substantially less than said connecting member thickness.    
   
   
       20 . A thrust assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said thrust assembly comprises seven connecting members.