CONNECTOR FOR A STRUCTURALLY INTEGRATED LINE SYSTEM

Abstract

A connector for a structurally integrated line system of a vehicle, having a first end portion, a second end portion and a connecting piece extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first end portion has at least one contact face for arrangement on a structurally integrated line, wherein at least one of the at least one contact face has a cutout which is surrounded by a closed border, wherein the second end portion has a flange connection for connection to a pipe.

Claims

1. A connector for a structurally integrated line system of a vehicle, comprising a first end portion, a second end portion and a connecting piece extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first end portion has at least one contact face for arrangement on a structurally integrated line, wherein at least one of the at least one contact face has a cutout which is surrounded by a closed border, wherein the second end portion has a flange connection for connection to a pipe.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first end portion has a first contact face in which the cutout is arranged, wherein the first end portion has a second contact face which protrudes at an angle to the first contact face.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the second contact face is free of a cutout.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the cutout is rectangular.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first end portion has multiple contact faces which form a trapezoidal shape relative to one another.

6. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece adjoins the cutout at an angle to a plane spanned by the cutout.

7. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the flange connection has a circular flange.

8. The connector according to claim 1, further having an assembly which is connected to the second end portion and has a sleeve and a pipe, which are inserted into one another to be longitudinally displaceable.

9. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece is at least flexible.

10. A structurally integrated line system, having at least one structural component with at least one line integrated therein and at least one connector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one line has an opening on which the connector is arranged, so that the cutout covers the opening.

11. The line system according to claim 10, comprising at least two structurally integrated lines which are each connected to a connector, wherein an assembly having a sleeve and a pipe, which are inserted into one another to be longitudinally displaceable, extends between two connectors.

12. A vehicle having multiple structural components, wherein at least one structural component has at least one structurally integrated line which is connected to a connector according to claim 1.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein: the at least one structurally integrated line has multiple structurally integrated lines which form a line system; the line system comprising at least one structural component with at least one line integrated therein and at least one connector; the connector comprising a first end portion, a second end portion and a connecting piece extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first end portion has at least one contact face for arrangement on a structurally integrated line, wherein at least one of the at least one contact face has a cutout which is surrounded by a closed border, wherein the second end portion has a flange connection for connection to a pipe; and wherein the at least one line has an opening on which the connector is arranged, so that the cutout covers the opening.

14. The vehicle according to claim 12, further having at least one system component to interact with a fluid flowing in the structurally integrated line, wherein the at least one system component is connected directly to the flange connection.

15. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft and at least one structurally integrated line is connected to an air source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Further features, advantages and possible applications of the disclosure herein will become apparent from the following description of the example embodiments and from the figures. All the features that are described and/or depicted in the figures form the subject-matter of the disclosure herein on their own and in any desired combination, regardless of their combination in the individual claims or their dependencies. Furthermore, identical reference signs in the figures denote identical or similar objects.

[0028] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show a connector from multiple perspectives.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a line system having two connected structurally integrated lines with a partially semi-flexible connection.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows a line system having two connected structurally integrated lines with a floating pipe assembly.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows structurally integrated lines with system components arranged thereon.

[0032] FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show further line arrangements with different forms of the connectors and/or of the connecting pieces.

[0033] FIG. 8 shows an aircraft with a line system integrated therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show different views of a connector 2 for a structurally integrated line system. In the following explanation, reference will be made to all three illustrations.

[0035] The connector 2 has a first end portion 4 and a second end portion 6. A connecting piece 8, which connects the two end portions 4 and 6 to one another, extends between the first end portion 4 and the second end portion 6. The connecting piece 8 can have a circular cross-section and can be connected to end portions 4 and 6 of any shape. The first end portion 4 has a first contact face 10, in which a rectangular cutout 12 is arranged. The cutout is surrounded by a peripheral border 14 which does not have any gaps. A second contact face 16 adjoins the first contact face 10 and is at an angle thereto. It should be noted here that the two contact faces 10 and 16 are each at least largely planar and enclose a bend 18. As can be seen in FIG. 1A, the two contact faces 10 and 16 enclose with one another an angle α which is slightly more than 90°. The two contact faces 10 and 16 thus define between them part of a trapezoidal shape, which is intended to adapt to a trapezoidal, structurally integrated line. The second end portion 6 has a flange connection 20, which in the example shown is a circular flange. This is configured to be connected to a pipe, which likewise has a circular cross-section and a corresponding flange.

[0036] The cutout 12 can cover an opening in a lateral surface of a structurally integrated line and thus produce a fluidic connection between the interior of the structurally integrated line and the cross-section of the flange connection 20 through which flow takes place. No modifications to the structurally integrated line are necessary for this purpose, and multiple such structurally integrated lines can be connected together to form a line system. This is shown in the subsequent figures.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a line system 21. A structure having a first structural component 22 and a second structural component 24, into each of which a structurally integrated line 26 or 28 is integrated, is shown here. A connector 2 or 2a is arranged on each of the two lines 26 and 28. To this end, the contact faces 10 and 16 in question are adapted to the lateral surface 30 of the lines 26 and 28, which in the case shown forms a trapezoidal cross-section. The two second contact faces 16 lie flush on an upper side 32 of the lines 26 and 28, while the first contact faces 10 are each connected to a leg surface 34.

[0038] A pipe assembly 36, which has a sleeve 38 and a pipe 40 which are mounted relative to one another so as to be displaceable in one another, is formed between the two connectors 2 and 2a. The required tightness of the assembly 36 can be produced by sealing rings between the sleeve 38 and the pipe 40. These can compensate for distance tolerances due to thermal expansion and mechanical loads on the structural components 22 and 24, and for angular deviations. The connecting piece 8a is thereby designed by way of example with a circular cross-section throughout.

[0039] As is shown by a line system 41 in FIG. 3, the direction of extension of the pipe assembly 36 can be adapted to the directions of flow in the lines 26 and 28, so that the flow experiences as smooth a change of direction as possible in the region of the connector 2 and lower pressure losses are thus to be expected. By way of example, a direction of flow 42 of the line 26 or 28 in question and a surface normal 44 of the flange connections 20 enclose an angle of about 45°. By way of example, two identical connectors 2 are here connected to the flow-integrated lines 26 and 28. The pipe assembly 36 is here arranged in a floating manner and comprises, as mentioned hereinbefore, a sleeve 38 and a pipe 40, which are displaceably mounted in one another.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a line system 46. Three structurally integrated lines 48, 50 and 52 are shown here, each of which is equipped with multiple connectors 2. However, system components 54 are arranged thereon. The system components 54 can include non-return valves, pressure reducing valves, pressure or temperature sensors, float valves or the like.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a line system 56 in which two structurally integrated lines 58 and 60 are connected to connectors 2a. Both connectors 2a have a connecting piece 8 with a circular cross-section. Between the two connectors 2a there is arranged a pipe 40, which on both sides is displaceably arranged in a sleeve 38. In this example, the connecting piece 8 of the connector 2a on the left in the plane of the drawing is arranged at an angle β of 30° to the direction of flow 42 in the structurally integrated line 58. The connector 2a could have an oval cutout 12 there in this example. The connector 2a on the right in the plane of the drawing has a connecting piece 8 which, however, extends perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the structurally integrated line 60, or to the direction of flow given thereby. The cutout 12 of the connector 2a could there have a circular cutout 12. The two connectors 2a are coupled with the upper side 32 of the structurally integrated lines 58 and 60.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a line system 62 having two structurally integrated lines 64 and 66. Connectors 2 and 2a, which are each connected to a sleeve 38 and between which a pipe 40 is displaceably arranged, are arranged here. The connector 2 is fluidically connected to the structurally integrated line 64 at a leg surface 34 and has a connecting piece 8 which transitions from a largely rectangular cross-section into a circular cross-section. The connector 2a is fluidically connected to an upper side 32 of the structurally integrated line 66 and has a connecting piece 8 which has a circular cross-section throughout. The two connectors are arranged perpendicularly to the respective direction of flow.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a line system 68 having two structurally integrated lines 70 and 72 and two connectors 2a connected thereto. The two connectors are connected to a sleeve 38, between which sleeves a pipe 40 is mounted in a floating manner. The two connectors 2a are seated perpendicularly on an upper side 32 of the respective structurally integrated line 70 or 72 and have a connecting piece 8 with a circular cross-section.

[0044] Finally, FIG. 8 shows an aircraft 74 which has at least one line system 21, 41, 46, 56, 62 or 68. By way of example, a structurally integrated line contained therein could be connected to an engine 76 and receive bleed air therefrom.

[0045] In addition, it is pointed out that “having” does not exclude other elements or steps, and “a” or “one” does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it is pointed out that features which have been described with reference to one of the above example embodiments can also be used in combination with other features of other example embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as limiting.

[0046] While at least one example embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the example embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a”, “an” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0047] 2 connector [0048] 2a connector [0049] 4 first end portion [0050] 6 second end portion [0051] 8 connecting piece [0052] 10 first contact face [0053] 12 cutout [0054] 14 border [0055] 16 second contact face [0056] 18 bend [0057] 20 flange connection [0058] 21 line system [0059] 22 first structural component [0060] 24 second structural component [0061] 26 structurally integrated line [0062] 28 structurally integrated line [0063] 30 lateral surface [0064] 32 upper side [0065] 34 leg surface [0066] 36 pipe assembly [0067] 38 sleeve [0068] 40 pipe [0069] 41 line system [0070] 42 direction of flow [0071] 44 surface normal [0072] 46 line system [0073] 48 structurally integrated line [0074] 50 structurally integrated line [0075] 52 structurally integrated line [0076] 54 system component [0077] 56 line system [0078] 58 structurally integrated line [0079] 60 structurally integrated line [0080] 62 line system [0081] 64 structurally integrated line [0082] 66 structurally integrated line [0083] 68 line system [0084] 70 structurally integrated line [0085] 72 structurally integrated line [0086] 74 aircraft [0087] 76 engine [0088] 20 [0089] α angle [0090] β angle