A conduit (100) for transporting a fluid comprises a first collar (102), a second collar (103), and a bellows (108). The bellows (108) comprises a corrugated inboard ply (110), a corrugated outboard ply (112), and an interstitial space (126), interposed between the corrugated inboard ply (110) and the corrugated outboard ply (112). The conduit additionally comprises a first weld (138), hermetically coupling the corrugated inboard ply (110) and a first outer collar portion (104), a second weld (134), hermetically coupling the corrugated outboard ply (112) and a first inner collar portion (106), a third weld (186), hermetically coupling the corrugated inboard ply (110) and a second outer collar portion (105), a fourth weld (184), hermetically coupling the corrugated outboard ply (112) and a second inner collar portion (107), and a first sensor (116), communicatively coupled with the interstitial space (126).

A conduit (100) for transporting a fluid comprises a first collar (102), a second collar (103), and a bellows (108). The bellows (108) comprises a first corrugated outboard ply (114), a corrugated inboard ply (110), an interstitial space (126), interposed between the corrugated inboard ply (110) and the first corrugated outboard ply (114), and a second corrugated outboard ply (112) within the interstitial space (126). The first corrugated outboard ply (114) and the corrugated inboard ply (110) are hermetically coupled to the first collar (102) and the second collar (103). The conduit (100) additionally comprises a first sensor 116, communicatively coupled with an interstitial space (126). The second corrugated outboard ply (112) is not hermetically coupled to the first collar (102) or the second collar (103).

A conduit (100) for transporting a fluid comprises a first collar (102), a second collar (103), and a bellows (108). The bellows (108) comprises a first corrugated outboard ply (114), a corrugated inboard ply (110), an interstitial space (126), interposed between the corrugated inboard ply (110) and the first corrugated outboard ply (114), and a second corrugated outboard ply (112) within the interstitial space (126). The first corrugated outboard ply (114) and the corrugated inboard ply (110) are hermetically coupled to the first collar (102) and the second collar (103). The conduit (100) additionally comprises a first sensor 116, communicatively coupled with an interstitial space (126). The second corrugated outboard ply (112) is not hermetically coupled to the first collar (102) or the second collar (103).

A gimbal for connecting pipes having a core portion and at least one joint shield portion that surrounds the core portion. The core portion, which has a core portion internal surface and a core portion external surface, has at least two pipe engaging portions that are separated by at least one flexible portion, which has a flexible portion internal surface and a flexible portion external surface, and a plurality of joint cover portions. Each joint cover portion extends from the core portion external surface of the core portion to provide a protective cover for the flexible portion external surface of at least one flexible portion of the core portion and is pivotably connected to a least one joint shield portion. The shield portion is configured to provide a protective shield for at least one flexible portion of the core portion.

A gimbal apparatus is disclosed, including a tubular envelope with a variable length between first and second rim structures. A rigid ring structure inside the tubular envelope is connected to diametrically opposite first and second portions of the first rim structure, and is connected to diametrically opposite first and second portions of the second rim structure. A spoke bisects the ring structure.

An apparatus for reducing clearances within a flexible joint gimbal system. The apparatus comprises a washer having a centrally located hole. The washer includes a cylindrical side, wherein the cylindrical side is shaped to contact a side of a ring of the gimbal when the washer is located between a clevis of a gimbal and the ring. The washer further includes a spherical side, wherein the spherical side has a shape that enables the clevis to rotate with respect to the ring about an axis extending centrally through the hole in the washer when the washer is located between the clevis and the ring.

A lockable friction joint includes a first joint member with a first arm member and a second joint member with a second arm member, the first and second joint members each having an inner friction surface and pivotal connecting projections. A friction adjustment device includes an adjustment element on an outer surface of the second joint member, and a fixating element on an outer surface of the first joint member. A plurality of friction discs are adjacent each other and between the inner friction surfaces of the first and second joint members, whereby friction between the friction discs is adjusted by the adjustment element. Each friction disc has at least one friction surface acting on an adjacent friction surface of another element of the friction joint and each friction disc is pivotally coupled to at least one other element of the friction joint.

A lockable friction joint includes a first joint member with a first arm member and a second joint member with a second arm member, the first and second joint members each having an inner friction surface and pivotal connecting projections. A friction adjustment device includes an adjustment element on an outer surface of the second joint member, and a fixating element on an outer surface of the first joint member. A plurality of friction discs are adjacent each other and between the inner friction surfaces of the first and second joint members, whereby friction between the friction discs is adjusted by the adjustment element. Each friction disc has at least one friction surface acting on an adjacent friction surface of another element of the friction joint and each friction disc is pivotally coupled to at least one other element of the friction joint.

A duct for a turbine engine, such as a gas turbine engine, can be utilized to carry a fluid from one portion of the engine to another. The duct can include a metallic tubular element having one of a varying wall thickness, a varying cross section, or a tight bend. Such a duct can be formed utilizing additive manufacturing or metal deposition on an additively manufactured mandrel.

A duct for a turbine engine, such as a gas turbine engine, can be utilized to carry a fluid from one portion of the engine to another. The duct can include a metallic tubular element having one of a varying wall thickness, a varying cross section, or a tight bend. Such a duct can be formed utilizing additive manufacturing or metal deposition on an additively manufactured mandrel.