Flexible liner hanger

Abstract

A gas turbine engine exhaust system includes a liner extending along an axial direction and a radial direction and circumscribing a combustion plenum, a high pressure plenum circumscribing the liner along the radial direction, a structural component circumscribing the high pressure plenum along the radial direction, and a leaf spring fastener arranged within the high pressure plenum. The leaf spring fastener is arranged between the liner and the structural component.

1 . A gas turbine engine exhaust system, the system comprising:
 a liner extending along an axial direction and a radial direction and circumscribing a combustion plenum;   a high pressure plenum circumscribing the liner along the radial direction;   a structural component circumscribing the high pressure plenum along the radial direction; and   a spring fastener arranged within the high pressure plenum, the spring fastener connected to the liner and the structural component.   
     
     
         2 . The exhaust system of  claim 1 , including a plurality of spring fasteners. 
     
     
         3 . The exhaust system of  claim 1 , wherein the spring fastener includes:
 a spring body having a spring constant profile;   a first connector attached to the liner and the spring body; and   a second connector attached to the structural component and the spring body.   
     
     
         4 . The exhaust system of  claim 3 , wherein the first connector and the second connector are pivotably connected to the spring body. 
     
     
         5 . The exhaust system of  claim 3 , wherein the first connector and the second connector include:
 a plate affixed to the liner, the plate including a protrusion; and   a rod passing through the protrusion and a portion of the spring body portion.   
     
     
         6 . The exhaust system of  claim 3 , wherein the structural component extends a radial amount determined by a pressure of a fluid within the high pressure plenum. 
     
     
         7 . A fastener comprising:
 a spring having a first end and a second end, the spring having a spring constant profile;   a first connector at the first end of the spring to connect the spring to a combustor liner; and   a second connector at the second end of the spring to connect the spring to a structural component of a gas turbine engine exhaust.   
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the gas turbine engine is non-cylindrical. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 8 , wherein the gas turbine engine exhaust is substantially shaped as an elliptical cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 7 , and further comprising a high-pressure plenum between the liner and the structural component. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener of  claim 10 , wherein a high-pressure air mass is located in the high pressure plenum. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the first connector includes:
 a plate affixed to the liner, the plate including a protrusion; and   a rod passing through the protrusion and a portion of the spring.   
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 12 , wherein the plate is affixed to the liner by a weld joint. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 12 , wherein the plate is affixed to the liner by a rivet. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 12 , wherein the plate is pivotably connected to the spring. 
     
     
         16 . A method of attaching a liner to a structural component in a gas turbine engine exhaust system, the method comprising:
 arranging a liner radially within a structural component, the liner and the structural component separated by a high pressure plenum;   attaching a spring fastener to the liner at a first end of the spring; and   attaching the spring fastener to the structural component at a second end of the spring.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , and further comprising filling the high pressure plenum with a pressurized working fluid. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein filling the high pressure plenum causes the structural component to deflect radially outwards. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein radial deflection of the structural component causes the spring to elongate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , and further comprising attaching a plurality of spring fasteners to the liner and to the structural component.