Support link for an exhaust diffuser assembly

Abstract

A support link assembly for coupling an exhaust diffuser to a diffuser casing is provided. The support link assembly includes a support link. The support link includes a main body that extends from a forward end to an aft end. The support link further includes a forward flange that extends from the main body at the forward end. The forward flange is configured to couple to the diffuser casing. The support link further includes a pair of arms that extend from the main body at the aft end. The pair of arms are configured to couple to the exhaust diffuser.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support link assembly for coupling an exhaust diffuser to a diffuser casing, the support link assembly comprising: 
 a support link comprising:    a main body extending from a forward end to an aft end;   a forward flange extending from the main body at the forward end, the forward flange configured to couple to the diffuser casing; and,   a pair of arms extending from the main body at the aft end, the pair of arms configured to couple to the exhaust diffuser.   
     
     
         2 . The support link assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising a vibrational damping assembly affixed to the support link. 
     
     
         3 . The support link assembly as in  claim 2 , wherein the vibrational damping assembly comprises: 
 at least one pin assembly coupled to the main body of the support link, the at least one pin assembly having a pin and a disk, the pin including a pin head and a pin body; and,   at least one plate disposed between the pin head and the support link, wherein the at least one plate surrounds the pin body, and wherein the at least one plate is movable between the pin head and the support link relative to the pin and relative to the support link to dampen vibrations experienced by the support link.   
     
     
         4 . The support link assembly as in  claim 3 , wherein the vibrational damping assembly further comprises a brace and one or more bands coupled to the brace, wherein the brace and the one or more bands collectively surround the main body and the at least one plate. 
     
     
         5 . The support link assembly as in  claim 4 , wherein the brace includes a mounting portion, a first web portion, a first band portion, a second web portion, and a second band portion. 
     
     
         6 . The support link assembly as in  claim 5 , wherein the first band portion couples to a first band of the one or more bands, and wherein the second band portion couples to a second band of the one or more bands.  
     
     
         7 . The support link assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the main body includes a forward portion and an aft portion, wherein the forward portion converges in width as the forward portion extends from the forward end to a junction of the forward end with the aft portion, and wherein the aft portion diverges in width as the aft portion extends from the junction with the forward portion to the aft end. 
     
     
         8 . The support link assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein the pair of arms extends from the aft portion of the main body, and wherein the forward flange extends from the forward portion of the main body. 
     
     
         9 . The support link assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein the support link defines a longitudinal centerline, a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a vertical direction, wherein the main body extends generally longitudinally from the forward end to the aft end, wherein the forward flange extends generally vertically from the main body in a first direction, and wherein each arm of the pair of arms extends generally vertically from the main body in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         10 . The support link assembly as in  claim 9 , wherein the main body extends transversely from a first side to a second side, wherein a first arm of the pair of arms extends from the first side, and wherein a second arm of the pair of arms extends from the second side.  
     
     
         11 . The support link assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein each arm of the pair of arms extends from a root connected the main body to a free edge, wherein each arm includes a shank portion and a protruding portion, the shank portion extending from the root to the protruding portion, and the protruding portion extending from the shank portion to the free edge. 
     
     
         12 . The support link assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein one or more stress relief openings are defined in the support link, each of the one or more stress relief openings including a hole and a slit extending from the hole to an edge of the support link. 
     
     
         13 . A support link assembly for coupling an exhaust diffuser to a diffuser casing, the support link assembly comprising: 
 a support link comprising a main body extending from a forward end to an aft end; and,   a vibrational damping assembly affixed to the support link, the vibrational damping assembly comprising: 
 at least one pin assembly coupled to the main body of the support link, the at least one pin assembly having a pin and a disk, the pin including a pin head and a pin body; and, 
 at least one plate disposed between the pin head and the support link, wherein the at least one plate surrounds the pin body, and wherein the at least one plate is movable between the pin head and the support link relative to the pin and relative to the support link to dampen vibrations experienced by the support link. 
   
     
     
         14 . The support link assembly as in  claim 13 , wherein the vibrational damping assembly further comprises a brace and one or more bands coupled to the brace, wherein the brace and the one or more bands collectively surround the main body and the at least one plate. 
     
     
         15 . The support link assembly as in  claim 14 , wherein the brace includes a mounting portion, a first web portion, a first band portion, a second web portion, and a second band portion. 
     
     
         16 . The support link assembly as in  claim 15 , wherein the first band portion couples to a first band of the one or more bands, and wherein the second band portion couples to a second band of the one or more bands.  
     
     
         17 . The support link assembly as in  claim 13 , wherein one or more stress relief openings are defined in the support link, each of the one or more stress relief openings including a hole and a slit extending from the hole to an edge of the support link. 
     
     
         18 . The support link assembly as in  claim 17 , wherein the support link further comprises: 
 a forward flange extending from the main body at the forward end, the forward flange configured to couple to the diffuser casing; and,   a pair of arms extending from the main body at the aft end, the pair of arms configured to couple to the exhaust diffuser.   
     
     
         19 . An exhaust diffuser assembly comprising: 
 a diffuser casing;   an exhaust diffuser; and,   a support link coupling the exhaust diffuser to the diffuser casing, the support link comprising: 
 a main body extending from a forward end to an aft end; 
 a forward flange extending from the main body at the forward end, the forward flange configured to couple to the diffuser casing; and, 
 a pair of arms extending from the main body at the aft end, the pair of arms configured to couple to the exhaust diffuser. 
   
     
     
         20 . The exhaust diffuser assembly as in  claim 19 , wherein a vibrational damping assembly is affixed to the support link.