The invention relates to a multipart pipe joint (10) having a centre piece (16) on which joint parts (18, 20) are received which are pivotable relative thereto and which are rotationally fixed to the centre piece (16) at articulation points (22, 24). The articulation points (22, 24) of the joint parts (18, 20) on the centre piece (16) also represent articulation points (22, 24) for transmission elements (42) which extend axially along an inner wall (34) of the centre piece (16). The articulation points (22, 24) forming articulation axes are arranged in an axial offset (25) to each other. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the multipart pipe joint (10) in an aircraft.

A sealed joint assembly for transmitting high temperature and high pressure fluid between adjoining ducts in, for example, an aircraft bleed air system, includes a gimbal ring and two annular clevises. Each clevis includes a pair of axially-extending lobes that each includes a bore hole extending therethrough. The bore holes of the clevis lobes may each align with a respective bore hole formed within the gimbal ring, through which a pin may be inserted to couple the clevises to the gimbal ring. The clevises and gimbal ring may be formed using additive manufacturing, to produce component geometries and topologies that reduce the overall weight of the joint assembly while maintaining or improving its structural integrity. For example, the clevis lobes may include a plurality of gaps, such that the remaining material forms a shear web. The gimbal ring may also include strut or truss networks to enhance structural integrity.

A gimbal assembly for a flexible conduit configured to convey a medium is disclosed herein. The gimbal assembly includes a first component including a first plurality of struts that terminate in a first socket defining a first cavity of a first geometric configuration. The gimbal assembly also includes a second component including a second plurality of struts that terminate in a second socket defining a second cavity of a second geometric configuration. A joint fastener is configured to couple the first socket to the second socket. The joint fastener includes a first portion that geometrically corresponds to the first cavity and a second portion that geometrically corresponds to the second cavity. The first portion is configured to be immovably seated within the first cavity, and the second portion is configured to be movably retained by the second socket such that the first component can rotate relative to the second component.

A pipe includes at least one first section connected to a second section by a hinged element allowing a predetermined angular movement of the first section relative to the second section under a predetermined minimum force. The hinged element includes two end pieces connected respectively to the first section and to the second section and hinged with each other to allow the angular movement, and a tube having ends connected to the end pieces so as to be elastically deformable under the predetermined force according to the predetermined angular movement. The sections and the end pieces themselves are rigid under the predetermined minimum force. A treatment facility include such pipes.

A joint assembly for joining a first component to a second component, including a first clevis including first clevis apertures and a second clevis including second clevis apertures, first bearing insert and a second bearing insert fixedly coupled to the first clevis and the second clevis, respectively, a ring surrounding the first clevis and the second clevis and including a plurality of ring apertures, a plurality of pins received within the corresponding ring aperture, where pin includes a head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion, where the shaft portion is coupled to the ring by a corresponding interference fit, where further the shaft portion is coupled to the corresponding first or second bearing inserts by a corresponding clearance fit such that the shaft portion is rotatable relative to the corresponding first or second bearing inserts.

A duct assembly may include a first duct, a second duct, and a flexible joint assembly coupling the first duct to the second duct. The flexible joint assembly may include a bellows having a first end and a second end and a plurality of convolutions located therebetween, and a gimbaled joint assembly. The gimbaled joint assembly may include a first support surrounding the first end of the bellows and a first portion of the plurality of convolutions, a second support surrounding the second end of the bellows and a second portion of the plurality of convolutions, and a gimbal ring assembly operably coupled to the first support and the second support. The gimbal ring assembly may include a ring body and a plurality of flexure hinges interconnected with the ring body.

An adjustable gaseous fluid extractor assembly including a first portion and a second portion. The assembly further includes a pivot mechanism providing that the first portion is pivotable relative the second portion about a respective first and second axis. The assembly further includes a flexible tubing element coupled to the first portion and to the second portion. The pivot mechanism is arranged exterior the flexible tubing element.

A duct assembly may include a first duct, a second duct, and a flexible joint assembly coupling the first duct to the second duct. The flexible joint assembly may include a bellows having a first end and a second end and a plurality of convolutions located therebetween, and a gimbaled joint assembly. The gimbaled joint assembly may include a first support surrounding the first end of the bellows and a first portion of the plurality of convolutions, a second support surrounding the second end of the bellows and a second portion of the plurality of convolutions, and a gimbal ring assembly operably coupled to the first support and the second support. The gimbal ring assembly may include a ring body and a plurality of flexure hinges interconnected with the ring body.

An apparatus and method for the manufacture and maintenance of flexible joint gimbal systems. The apparatus and method reduce metal corrugated bellows gimbal joint fatigue damage due to loose fitting parts by implementing a spherical washer to reduce clearance in the flexible joint of the gimbal within desired tolerances.

A sealed joint assembly for transmitting high temperature and high pressure fluid between adjoining ducts in, for example, an aircraft bleed air system, includes a gimbal ring and two annular clevises. Each clevis includes a pair of axially-extending lobes that each includes a bore hole extending therethrough. The bore holes of the clevis lobes may each align with a respective bore hole formed within the gimbal ring, through which a pin may be inserted to couple the clevises to the gimbal ring. The clevises and gimbal ring may be formed using additive manufacturing, and may be optimized to reduce the joint assembly's overall weight, while maintaining or improving its structural integrity. The gimbal ring may include a strut or truss network to enhance structural integrity, and may be comprised of an inner gimbal ring and an outer gimbal ring.