US Patent 7955046 Gas turbine engine front architecture modularity

A gas turbine engine is disclosed that includes a spool having a compressor section. An inlet case is arranged axially upstream from the compressor section. A gearbox is secured to the inlet case. The gearbox couples the spool and a fan. A sealing assembly is arranged between the inlet case and the gearbox to provide a sealed bearing compartment. The inlet case, gearbox and seal assembly provide a module. A fastening element removably secures the module to the spool. The gas turbine engine can be serviced by disconnecting the fastening element from the engine core. The gearbox and inlet case can be removed as a module from the engine core without disassembling the gearbox.