US2674371A

US2674371A - Jet motor container

Info

Publication number: US2674371A
Application number: US330324A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter T Blackinton
Original assignee: Wayne Foundry and Stamping Co
Current assignee: Wayne Foundry and Stamping Co
Priority date: 1953-01-08
Filing date: 1953-01-08
Publication date: 1954-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 1971-04-06

Description

April 6 1954 w. T. BLAcKlNToN JET MOTOR CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Shet l Original Filed Nov. l16. 1949 V. m w m m m.\ a c V f JE A m f J I I I l I I It llllllllllllllllllllll Y f2. r /l/ Y +12? h 'Ik Q W. T. BLCKINTON JET MOTOR CONTAINER April 6, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 16, 1949 INVENTOR. h/d [27er Z BY April 6, 1954 w. T. BLACKINTON JET MOTOR CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Nov. 16, 1949 April 6, 1954 w. T. BLAcKlNToN 2,674,371 JET MOTOR CONTAINER Original Filed Nov. 16,-'1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 5 l954 w; T. BLACKINTON 2,674,371

JET MOTOR CONTAINER Original Filed' Nov. 16, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 -BM/fw,

Patented Apr. 6, 1954 UNITED STATES ATNT QFFICE Wayne Foundry & Stam a partnership Continuation of appiication ping Co., Detroit, Mich.,

Serial No. 127,690,

November 16, 1949. This application January 8, 1953, Serial No. 330,324

12 Claims.

This application is a continuation of Serial No. 127,690, filed November 16, 1949, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to shipping and storage containers and particularly to such containers for jet-type engines.

Jet engines of the type presently used in aircraft, particularly military aircraft, have a relatively short useful life between overhauls and it is the practice to provide several spare engines for each aircraft equipped with this class of propulsion device.

The problem of storing and shipping these engines has presented. difculties because of their bulky 4construction and because it is necessary to seal the storage container against the entrance of air and moisture to prevent corrosion.

It is therefore the primary object of my invention to provide an improved storage and shipping container for jet engines which will adequately protect an engine stored therein against physical damage and from damage due to exposure to the elements.

Further objects are to provide a container of the aforesaid type which is easily manufactured,

readily adapted for handling by standard freight handling equipment, strong enough to withstand the hazards of shipping and handling, adapted for stacking in stacks of three or more, and which is provided with means for easily removing and replacing the engine.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specification which,v in connection with the accompanying drawings, describes preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a side elevation, with parts broken away to show sectional details, of one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig.' 3 is a front elevation of the -container of Fig. 1 with certain parts broken away to show details thereof;

Fig. 4 is a section along line iof Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a section along line 5 5 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified container;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of another modication of the invention;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of the Fig. 7 container with parts broken away to show details; and Fig. v9 is a sectional View along line 9--9 of Fig. 7.

` Referring Ato Figs. l to 5 inclusive, it may be seen that my improved jet, engine container coni- (Cl. 20G-46) prises a cylindrical tank-like structure l0 having a removable front portion il. The construction is preferably of steel plates Welded or riveted together and is of relatively heavy section in the order of one-eighth inch in thickness. The cover portion il and the main portion l0 are respectively provided with mating flanges i2 and I3 (see detail Fig. 5) which are adapted to abut one another for securing the two portions together. A resilient gasket I5 is provided for sealing the joint between the fianges against entry of air and moisture and the fastening bolts M are adapted to be tightened to provide metal to metal contact of the iianges.

The flanges l2 and I3 are arranged at an oblique angle (approximately 45 has been found satisfactory) with respect to the horizontal and vertical axes of the container and at such a position lengthwise thereof that when the cover l l is removed the opening thereby provided extends a considerable distance rearwardly at the top and sides and diminishes toward the bottom such that substantially all of the bottom length remains for support and protection of the engine.

Reinforcing metal straps i6 having folding hook-eyes pivotally mounted thereto are provided for hoisting the container as a unit and for removing the cover portion.

The cylindrical portion of the container is supported in a rectangular cradle Iii', the sides l5 thereof extending about halfway upwardly of each side of the tank and being shorter than the tank (see Fig. l). The sides are cut off at their forward ends on an oblique line corresponding with the flange i3. Wooden skid rails i8 are bolted or otherwise securely fastened to feet provided at each corner of the cradle. Pillow blocks I9 incorporating rubber shock absorber pads 2B are disposed between the rails and feet.

Near each end of the container in vertical alignment with the ends of the cradle side portions, and at the central portion of the container, rectangular saddles ii are provided. These saddles are welded to the cylinder over the ren inforcing straps it and are provided with ledges 2l for receiving the skid rails of a second container. By this means it is possible to stack containers several tiers high and thus conserve space on shipboard or loading dock.

The jet engine itself is shown in outline by the broken line Z in Figs. l and 3. This type of engine is usually provided with trunnion members 23 for mounting in the airplane, and in come models a link 2d is carried ai; one end, for

i securing the engine in' the airplane against rock- `the -wall I" the blister. -28 consist or" afpair of rubber .doughnuts 25 bonded at their inner peripheral surfacesto a ing. I have utilized these standard engine mountings for suspending the engine in the container such that the engine is rmly supported therein and insulated against shocks, yet easily placed in the container and removed therefrom.

On each sideof the container, I have provided a blister which houses the supporting means for the engine. This supporting means, shown in section in Fig. 4, comprises a pair cf rails 26 resiliently mounted at each side of the container in such position that the jet engine may be supported in the container by means of the trunnion members 23.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. l to 5, inclusive, the rails 2t are formed of relatively heavy cast metal and are yieldably mounted on the longitudinally disposed members 21 by the cushion members 23. The longitudinal members 21 are welded or otherwise securely afxed to the cylindrical side walls I of the container and to The. cushion members hollow member 32. The upper doughnut .carries an-annular plate 3l disposed axially thereof and ybonded to the rubber approximately. centrally of the axial length thereof. This plate extends circumferentially of the cushion member and the circumferentially extending portion is adapted to be received in slots '32 formed in thedownl `wardly extending portionof the rail 26. A similar Aplate33 carried bythe lower doughnut 29 is received in slots 34 formed in the angle members 35 which are carried by the side members 21. Safety plates 36 are carried by thehellow members'3i! for preventing complete separation of the doughnuts 29- and the member-3:7 in the event the bond between the rubber and metal should be` broken in use.

In the embodiment being described, three 5 cushion members 28 are used for supporting each of the elongated rails 26. Obviously, amore or less number of cushion members. may be used if desired.

.The rails 2li are each provided with a tapered vslot or way 31 for receiving tapered rollers 38 carried `by the engine trunnions 23. The rollers 38 are rotatably secured on stub axles 39 which stub axles are mounted in a trunnion bracket 4u. The brackets 40 each carry a hanger member 4| which extends forwardly and downwardly of the container as shown in Figs. l and 3. The two hangers di meet ata point aligned with Ythe link'24 and have a socket formed therein'for receiving thel ball on the end of said link. Suitable .bolts 42 are provided for securing the ball end of the link in the socket.

The procedure for mounting an engine in the container just described is as follows:

The special brackets 40 are bolted to the engine over the regular engine trunnion .brackets and the rollers- 38 mounted thereon. The engine is then picked up by a crane or other hoist and lowered into the tank through the opening provided by removing the cover Il. The rollers 38 are guided into the slots 31 at the forward ends of the rails 26 and the engine is urged rearwardly until the hangers 4I can be fastened about the ball at the bottom of link' 24.

The cover li may then be lifted by means of the eye l1 and placed on the main body of the container whereupon the bolts I4 are tightened until the flanges Yi2 and I3 meet, compressing' the gasket I5 tomake an air-.tight seal. The container is then in condition for handling, shipping and stacking without danger of damaging the jet motor contained therein. The motor is easily removed from the tank by reversing the steps just described.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modified form of my im- ,proved container wherein the rails -26 are elongated and are supported at their front ends by a pair of cushion members 28 and at their rear -ends by a single cushion member. This form of Yshown in, Fig. 7

The rails are each suspended in the -tank by means of six cushion members 5I. The latter are positioned at each side of the tank, three above and three below the rail atfeach .-sideas shown. The cushion members. are mounted on annular plates 52 which are welded to .the/interior of the blisters 53, thelatter in `turn being welded to the tank Wall around the opening provided for accommodation of -the cushion mounting.

The rails 50 are suspended from the cushion members by means of the channel-shaped hangers 54. The hangers are `providedwitha groove for receiving one of the platescarried by one of the rubber .biscuits of .the cushion member in a manner similar to the mounting shown in Fig. 4, andthe other end of the hanger is bolted to the rail as indicated at 55. It is apparent then that the rails .50 .are yieldably mounted inthe tank such. thatthey. have limited universal movement yet give nrm v.support to the engine carried thereon. If desired, a greater number of cushion members maybe utilized, depending upon the weight .and size of .the jet engine to be accommodated.

In this modification of the invention, .the jet engine is supported at two points on each side. In Fig. 8, the line 56 represents one side of..an engine. Brackets 51, such asthat shown .in section in the ligure, are bolted or otherwisesecured to the engine at spaced points on each side thereof. Eachof these brackets 51 has a .rounded socket adapted to raise the rounded end 58 of the stubaxle which carried the roller 59. Rollers 59 are of the same cone shape as those .used in the modications previously described and are adapted to run in the undercut grooves provided in the rails 50 as illustrated.

As previously'mentioned, the rails 50 extend outwardly of the container body whenthe cover 6I is removed. Afteran engine is mounted in the container, lock bars 62 (shown in. dotted lines in Figs. 7 and 9) areinserted in the grooves in each of the rails for locking the engine in place. The lock bars are provided with a bifurcated end for engaging the stub axle adjacent the ball portion 58 thereof. 'The grooves in the rails extend only part way of the length thereof thereby limiting rearward travel of the rollers 59.

To prevent displacement of the lock 'bars B2 and brace the forward ends of therails 50 against each other, a transverse bar 63 is disposed'between the rails and connected thereto'4 by means of pins 64 in the manner of the familiarhinge joint.l

The form of container presently being described is provided near its ends with hoops t5 and 66. These hoops are fabricated of steel plates and are rounded in shape at the top and sides such that the container will be protected against severe shock if accidentally rolled over and may be easily rolled back on its skid rails if overturned. Eyes (il for the reception of a crane hook are provided at the top of the hoops and a reinforcing bar 68 is welded in the hoop above each eye to distribute the stress during lifting.

The forward hoop 66 is separable at points adjacent the flanges of the cover to facilitate quick removal of the cover. The top portion of the hoop S6 carries a pair of studs G9 adapted to be received in the apertures 'l0 at each side of the lower portion.

It may thus be seen that I have provided an improved container for jetmotors which provides full and adequate protection for the motor during storage and shipping. It is frequently necessary for the military services to store spare motors for months, even years, and to transport them to remote bases, sometimes with primitive forms of transport. In many instances facilities for removing the motors from the containers is not all that could be desired and in time of military emergency it is frequently necessary to change aircraft motors in a few moments.

My container is adapted to meet all conditions likely to be encountered in storing, handling, transporting, and in the eld; and while I have illustrated and described only a few of the preferred forms of my invention, it is to be understood that other forms are contemplated and I do not intend to limit my invention to the precise forms shown, but only as set forth in the claims appended below.

I claim:

l. A storage and shipping container for engines comprising a normally horizontally disposed cylindrical body separable along a plane disposed obliquely to the axis thereof and ext,

tending from one end of the container at the bottom thereof to a point at the top or the container intermediate the ends into a main portion and a cover portion, mating flanges carried by said portions, a cradle for supporting said body, said cradle having side walls extending upwardly of said body to a line substantially midway of the height thereof and terminating at the cover end at the plane of said flanges.

2. A shipping and storage container for en gines comprising a normally horizontally disposed cylindrical body separable into a main portion and a cover portion, a pair of rails disposed axially inside said main body portion at each side thereof for mounting an engine, means mounting said rails including yieldable members permitting limited movement of said rails in all directions, said mounting means comprising a support rigidly mounted in said body portion at each side and above the bottom thereof, a plurality of cushion members secured to said support in longitudinally spaced relation and extending vertically upwardly thereof and means for securing the rail to the cushion members upwardly o1 said support.

3. In a storage and shipping container for an engine of the type provided with trunnion supports at each side thereof and a stabilizing link at one end thereof, rails disposed longitudinally ci? said container, means for mounting said ena substantially rectangular cradle for supporting ysaid cylindrical body, skid rails disposed longitudinally at the bottom of said cradle, saddle members nXed to said body at each end thereof, saidsaddle members having step portions formed thereon at the top thereof for receiving said skid rails thereby permitting several containers to be stacked vertically.

5. In a storage and shipping container for engines, a pair of rails yieldably mounted in said container and extending longitudinally thereof, an undercut groove in each of said rails, a plurality of cone shaped rollers adapted to run in said grooves, each of said rollers being mounted on a stub axle terminating in a ball, and mounting brackets having sockets for receiving said balls, said brackets being adapted for mounting on said engine at spaced points whereby the engine may be suspended on said rails for restricted universal movement.

6. A storage and shipping container for engines comprising a cylindrical body adapted t0 be opened for loading and unloading purposes, skid rails secured to the body at the bottom thereof, yieldable blocks disposed between the rails and body for absorbing shocks that might otherwise be transmitted to said body, protrusions on the sides of said body for housing engine mounting means contained therein, and hoop members xed to said body near each end thereof, said hoop members being rounded at their sides and top such that said container may be overturned without damage.

7. A container in accordance with claim 6 wherein said hoop members are provided with stepped portions at their upper portions for receiving the skid rails of another container thereby permitting several containers to be vertically stacked.

8. A storage and shipping container for jet engines comprising a cylindrical tank-like body, means for separating said body along a plane oblique to the axis thereof into a main portion and a cover portion, a pair of rails mounted in said body and extending axially at each side thereof, said rails extending outwardly of said main portion when the cover portion is removed, means for yieldably suspending said rails in said body such that they may have restricted universal movement, said suspension means including resilient members disposed at spaced points axially of the container and above and below said rails.

9. A container according to claim 8 wherein rollers are provided for running in said rails and means is provided for mounting said rollers on an engine for universal movement relatively thereto.

l0. A shipping and storage container for engines comprising a normally horizontally disposed cylindrical body separable into a main portion and a cover portion, a pair of rails disposed axially inside said main body portion at each side thereof for mounting an engine, means mountlng said rails including yieldable members perabefmgafzr mitting limited movement of said railsy in all directionsvsaid mountingmeans comprising a sup.- port rigidly-mounted in said body portion at each side and above the bottom thereof, a cushion member secured to said support and extending vertically upwardly thereof, and means for securing the rail to the cushion member upwardly ofsaid support.

11. A shipping container for a jet engine comprising, a rst shelland a second shell each havingvend Walls and adapted to meet along a plane to form a closed cylindrical container, means along the confrontingedges of said shells to connect, the rst shell to the second shell, means attached to the first shell to serve as containersupportingand floor-contacting elements, bracket means on opposite sides of said first shell and rigidly attached thereto on the `inside surface, resilient supportingr elements mounted on said brackets, a pair of engine bearing beams at opposit@ sides of said rst shell and supported by said resilient supporting elements, and trun- 8 {support-ing devices: one.; each; 'off sal'd :beams and adapted to removably retain laterally pmjecting trunnions fixed onA said jet engine at opposite sides thereof.

12. `A shipping container for a jet enginecomprising, a rst shell and a second-shell adapted to meet along their peripheral edges to form-a closed container, means along the confronting edges of said shells to connect'the first shell to thel second shell, a plurality ofl bracket means on opposite sides of said first shell. and rigidiy attached thereto on the inside surface.V resilient supporting elements 4mounted on said brackets and including rubber cushioning blocks, apair of similar parallel. engine bearing beams-at opposite sides of said rstshell and supportedzby said resilient supportingl elements, andy engine supporting brackets on eachoff. said -beams andadapted to removably retain projecting.- elements fixed onsaid engine at opposite-.sidesf'thereo Noy references` cited.