F16L51/027

Gimbal joints for bleed air systems

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.

HOSE AND RIGID PIPE CONNECTING SYSTEM USED IN HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM

A hose and rigid pipe connecting system used in a high pressure system comprises: a hose made up of connecting a core pipe and a corrugated pipe, the outer side of the corrugated pipe being wound and woven by metal wires; a rigid pipe; a transition joint connecting the hose and the rigid pipe; and a retaining ring buckled on the outer side of the hose and the transition joint. The invention has the advantages that the sealing performance between the hose and the rigid pipe can be greatly improved, and the problem that the connecting part of the hose and the rigid pipe can not bear pressure Or resist high and low temperatures is solved; besides, the axial tensile strength and sealing reliability are improved by winding and weaving metal wires on the outer side of the metal corrugated pipe and then welding with the core pipe.

Expansion compensator with multiple layers with differing stiffness

An expansion compensator having a longitudinal axis, and having an elongate metal conduit with first and second spaced apart ends and an expansion/contraction section, an inner plastic liner positioned interior of the elongate metal conduit and having an expansion/contraction section and an interior volume extending from the first end to the second end, wherein each of the elongate metal conduit and the inner plastic liner have a stiffness along the longitudinal axis, and the stiffness of the elongate metal conduit is greater than the stiffness of the inner plastic liner.

Floating load ring for flexible joint

A free-floating load ring for assembly into a flexible coupling having a convoluted bellows and a surrounding mesh sleeve, the ring captured by the sleeve at an end of the coupling and spacing the sleeve from the bellows when forces are applied to the coupling. Various rings can be added to existing non-load supporting or flexible couplings having no previous rings. The load ring is retained in place by engagement of coupling components with the ring without physical connection of the ring to any coupling component.

Expansion joint

The invention relates to an expansion joint (1) for joining two adjacent parts of a pipe. The expansion joint (1) comprises an expansion bellows (5), an expanded wall (2) and an inner sleeve assembly (8). The expanded wall (2) comprises a first wall part (3) and a second wall part (4), wherein the first wall part (3) and the second wall part (4) are spaced apart from each other axially by an axial gap. The expansion bellows (5) is connected to the first wall part (3) and to the second wall part (4) such that the axial gap between the first wall part (3) and the second wall part (4) is closed and such that the first wall part (3) and the second wall part (4) are connected flexibly. The expanded wall (2) and the inner sleeve assembly (8) limit at least one sealed chamber (9, 10) between each other, and the at least one sealed chamber (9, 10) is filled by a first gas.

EXPANSION JOINT
20230400130 · 2023-12-14 · ·

An expansion joint for flexibly joining two tube segments for producing a tube for an evacuated tube transport system (ETT), wherein the expansion joint includes two annular rims and an annular flexible and airtight sleeve for rendering the expansion joint airtight wherein the sleeve includes two annular bead sections connected by an annular flexible carcass wherein each annular bead section includes a bead wire, and wherein the bead sections are designed to airtightly co-operate with rims that are fixed to the outside perimeter of each of the tube segments, wherein the rims are fixed at, or close to the opening of the tube segments.

Flexible conduit element with an end portion suitable for attachment to a rigid conduit element, and method of assembly of same
10883412 · 2021-01-05 · ·

A flexible conduit element with an end portion that is designed for attachment to a rigid conduit element. The flexible conduit includes a bellows member, an interlock member, an outer fixing member and a connection nozzle. An attachment portion of the connection nozzle extends beyond the outer fixing member and the interlock member and ends in a flared shape to form a gas-tight seal.

Gimbal Joints for Bleed Air Systems
20200393067 · 2020-12-17 ·

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.

THERMAL EXPANSION/PRESSURE COMPENSATOR

A thermal expansion/pressure compensator includes a body having an inlet at a first connection point and an outlet at a second connection point. The body includes a flexible member extending along a portion of the body. The body has an internal chamber configured to receive a fluid via the inlet. The internal chamber is shaped to direct fluid through the flexible member and out of the body via the outlet. The flexible member is configured to flex responsive to expansion of the body. The compensator also includes a rigid member operably coupled with the body. The rigid member is thermally and fluidly isolated from the body and the flexible member. The body, the flexible member, and the rigid member are formed as a unitary structure.

Flexural spring-energized interface for bellowed ball-joint assemblies for controlled rotational constraint

A turbine engine duct assembly including a joint assembly having an outer shroud, a bellows, a flared tube, a backing ring, and a kinematic ring. The joint assembly provides for dynamic movement of the duct assembly during operation of the engine. Such dynamic movement can be resultant of vibrational forces or thermal expansion of the engine. The joint assembly permits such dynamic movement without excessive system stiffness.