LONG-ARM FLANGE DESIGN FOR CONNECTING AND SUPPORTING THIN-WALLED PARTS SUBJECT TO HIGH BENDING AND THERMAL LOADS

Exhaust outlets (150) (e.g., in a gas turbine engine (100)) are generally made from sections of thin-walled materials (e.g., sheet metal) that are joined by flanges. Due to the length of the exhaust outlet (150) and differing thermal expansion coefficients exhibited by the flanges and the thin-walled materials, these joints are subjected to high mechanical, as well as thermal, stresses. A long-arm flange (302, 212, 214, 222, 224, 232) is disclosed that decouples the mechanical stress from the thermal stress in the flange and distributes the stress, to thereby reduce the stress at the flange interface. Additionally, the long-arm flange (302, 212, 214, 222, 224, 232) can be easily adapted to the specific geometry of any exhaust outlet (150).