Systems and methods for communicating a signal over a hydraulic line in a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a system can include a hydraulic line. The hydraulic line can include at least one communication medium for propagating a communication signal. The system can also include at least one signal communication device configured to receive the communication signal communicated over the hydraulic line. The system can also include at least one vehicle component in communication with the at least one signal communication device.

A method of generating a maintenance schedule for an aircraft including one or more gas turbine engines powered by an aviation fuel. The method includes: determining one or more fuel characteristics of the fuel; and generating a maintenance schedule according to the one or more fuel characteristics. Also disclosed is a method of maintaining an aircraft, a maintenance schedule generation system and an aircraft.

In an aircraft duct formed with pipes connected in pairs via connectors in which the pipes are mounted with the possibility of axial displacement, there exists a risk that a pipe of the duct, with a dimension greater that the dimension of the nominal pipe, is mounted instead and in place of the latter. In this case, the wrongly mounted pipe would risk not having sufficient clearance in axial translation. In order to solve this problem, it is disclosed to equip one of the relevant connectors with an obstacle limiting the travel of the nominal pipe and preventing the mounting of a pipe with a greater dimension belonging to the duct. A method for assembling an aircraft portion is also proposed, in order to benefit from the particularities of the duct.

A shrouded pipe formed from inner and outer pipe sections, the inner pipe section having an outwardly projecting flange joining the outer pipe section, and the outer pipe section having an inwardly projecting flange joining the inner pipe section, an annular volume between the inner and outer pipe sections providing a secondary fluid path. The flanges control axial position of the inner pipe section. By providing one flange which extends radially outwardly and one which extends radially inwardly, assembly is possible of the shrouded pipe by inserting the inner pipe section into the outer pipe section, without modification of the outer pipe section or inner pipe section. The first and second flanges ensure no unwanted contact between the inner and outer pipe sections, and therefore to prevent damage to the primary fluid path. The first and second flanges ensure good load distribution between the inner and outer pipe sections.

A method of manufacturing a shrouded pipe comprising an inner pipe section for providing a primary fluid path and an outer pipe section for enclosing the inner pipe section to provide a secondary fluid path. The method includes opening the outer pipe section by separating first and second longitudinal edges which split the outer pipe section along a longitudinal line, assembling the outer pipe section with the inner pipe section by passing the inner pipe section between the separated first and second longitudinal edges, and closing the outer pipe section by bringing the first and second longitudinal edges together and joining the first and second longitudinal edges together. An advantage of this method is that close manufacturing tolerances can be achieved without a complex or difficult assembly process.

A shrouded valve assembly includes a valve with a valve pipe and a valve channel. A valve member in the valve channel can regulate flow of fluid through the valve channel. A valve shroud provides a valve shroud chamber. First and second shrouded pipe assemblies are on opposite sides of the valve, each including a pipe in fluid communication with a respective end of the valve channel, and a pipe shroud providing a pipe shroud chamber. Each pipe shroud chamber is in fluid communication with a respective end of the valve shroud chamber. The pipe assemblies are connected to the valve shroud by first and second connections and to the valve by third and fourth connections, the fourth connection more flexible than both the first connection and the second connection. Load passes between the pipe assemblies via the valve shroud rather than via the valve, protecting the valve from damage.

A shrouded valve assembly including a valve, valve pipe and valve channel. A valve member can regulate flow of fluid through the valve channel. A valve shroud provides a valve shroud chamber and includes first and second valve shroud members fixed via valve shroud member flanges. An actuator shaft passes through the valve shroud and the valve pipe to the valve member and can move to operate the valve member to regulate flow of fluid through the valve channel. The actuator shaft extends in an actuator shaft direction passing through the valve shroud and the valve pipe. The valve shroud flanges meet at a valve shroud interface inclined at an acute angle to the actuator shaft direction. The actuator shaft passes through the first valve shroud member and not the second valve shroud member, enabling the valve to be inspected by disassembling this interface without disassembling the valve shroud members.

A fuel pipe assembly is disclosed including a connector having a socket and a lug arrangement extending from the socket, a pipe having a first end portion adapted to fit within the socket, and a retainer having first and second parts which together form a collar configured to retain a pipe. The retainer has an open condition in which a pipe is insertable, and a closed condition. The retainer also has a channel arranged, in the closed condition, to capture the lug arrangement.

A fluid line adapted to contain a pressurized fluid imposing loads on the line that vary along its length comprises a tube formed of a fiber reinforced plastic, wherein the fibers are locally tailored along the length of the tube to meet local load requirements. The tube is consolidated within a volumetric chamber having separate, individually controlled chamber compartments for respectively consolidating different segments of the tube.

A fuel manifold adapted to communicate with at least one fuel tank of an aircraft is presented. The manifold defines an enclosure adapted to be filled with fuel and to have an internal pressure P1 higher than the internal pressure P2 of the fuel tank. The enclosure includes at least one ceiling and at least one side wall provided with overflow holes adapted to communicate with the fuel tank. The manifold includes a mechanism for discharging an air pocket, trapped between the ceiling and the level of the overflow holes, to the fuel tank.