TUBE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A tube assembly, in particular for a fluid supply system of a turbomachine, the assembly including a first tube, a second tube, a connection connecting the first and second tube, wherein the connection includes a first sealed spherical joint and a first sealed linear joint.

Claims

1. A tube assembly comprising: a first tube; a second tube; a connection connecting the first and second tube, the connection including a first sealed spherical joint and a first sealed linear joint.

2. The tube assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connection includes a second sealed spherical joint or a second sealed linear joint.

3. The tube assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second sealed spherical joint is coupled to the first sealed linear joint by the first sealed spherical joint.

4. The tube assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second sealed spherical joint is coupled to the first sealed spherical joint by the first sealed linear joint.

5. The tube assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connection includes a second sealed spherical joint and the first and second sealed spherical joints include one common bushing encompassing a first sealing of the first sealed spherical joint arranged at the first tube and a second sealing of the second spherical joint arranged at the second tube.

6. The tube assembly according to claim 5, wherein a front face of the common bushing includes at least one bulge for entering the first sealing or the second sealing.

7. The tube assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first sealed linear joint comprises a first sealing arranged movably at the first tube.

8. The tube assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first sealing is shared with the the first sealed spherical joint.

9. The tube assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first sealed spherical joint includes a first bushing encompassing a first sealing of the first sealed spherical joint arranged at the first tube or a second sealed spherical joint includes a second bushing encompassing a second sealing of the second sealed spherical joint arranged at the second tube.

10. The tube assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first sealed linear joint includes a sleeve arranged movably at a shaft of the first bushing.

11. The tube assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first sealed linear joint includes a sleeve arranged movably at a shaft.

12. The tube assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first or second bushing is axially split or the first or second sealing or a sleeve of the first sealed linear joint is circumferentially split.

13. The tube assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sealed spherical joint and the first sealed linear joint includes at least one ring seal.

14. The tube assembly according to claim 1, wherein axial movement of the first sealed spherical or linear joint is limited or prohibited by at least one collar of the first tube.

15. A fluid supply system comprising at least one tube assembly according to claim 1.

16. A turbomachine comprising the fluid supply system according to claim 15

17. A gas turbine comprising the turbomachine according to claim 16.

18. A method of operating the tube assembly according claim 1 in a fluid supply system of a turbomachine, comprising supplying fluid through the tube assembly.

19. The method as recited in claim 18 wherein the turbomachine is a gas turbine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Further features of the present invention are disclosed in the sub-claims and the following description of preferred embodiments. Thereto it is shown, partially schematically, in:

[0041] FIG. 1 an axial section of a tube assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention compensating axial displacement;

[0042] FIG. 2 the tube assembly of FIG. 1 compensating angular displacement;

[0043] FIG. 3 the tube assembly of FIG. 1 compensating planar displacement;

[0044] FIG. 4A-C mounting of a first sealed spherical joint's sealing to a common bushing of a first and second sealed spherical joint of the tube assembly of FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 5 an axial section of a tube assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention compensating axial displacement;

[0046] FIG. 6 the tube assembly of FIG. 5 compensating angular displacement;

[0047] FIG. 7 the tube assembly of FIG. 5 compensating planar displacement;

[0048] FIG. 8A-D mounting of the tube assembly of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] FIG. 1 shows, partially schematically, an axial section of a tube assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention compensating axial displacement (horizontal in FIG. 1). The tube assembly is part of a fluid supply system 1000 of a gas turbine 1001, shown schematically.

[0050] The tube assembly comprises a first tube 100, a second tube 200 and a connection connecting the first and second tube, said connection comprising a first sealed spherical joint 10, a first sealed linear joint 20, a second sealed spherical joint 30 constructed in the same way as the first sealed spherical joint 10 and a second sealed linear joint 40 constructed in the same way as the first sealed linear joint 20.

[0051] The first sealed spherical joint 10 and first sealed linear joint 20 comprise a common sealing 11 with ring seals 12 (see FIG. 2) at its outer and inner surface which is arranged axially movably at the first tube 100 (“first sealed spherical joint's sealing”).

[0052] Accordingly the second sealed spherical joint 30 and second sealed linear joint 40 comprise a common sealing 31 with ring seals 12 (see FIG. 2) at its outer and inner surface which is arranged axially movably at the second tube 200 (“second sealed spherical joint's sealing”).

[0053] The second sealed spherical joint 30 is coupled to the first linear joint 20 by the first sealed spherical joint 10, the first sealed spherical joint 10 is coupled to the second sealed linear joint 40 by the second sealed spherical joint 30, and the first sealed linear joint 20 is coupled to the second sealed linear joint 40 by the first and second sealed spherical joint 10, 30 which are supported by the first and second tube 100, 200 via the first and second sealed linear joint 20, 40 and comprise a common bushing 50 encompassing said first sealed spherical joint's sealing 11 arranged at the first tube 100 and said second sealed spherical joint's sealing 31 arranged at the second tube 200.

[0054] A roll bead 110 of the first tube 100 and a roll bead 210 of the second tube 200 limit axial movement of said joints.

[0055] As can be understood from FIGS. 1-3, said connection allows to compensate axial displacement (see FIG. 1: horizontal/axial movement of tubes 100, 200 relative to one another), angular displacement (see FIG. 2: tilt movement of tubes 100, 200 relative to one another) and planar displacement (see FIG. 3: vertical/radial movement of tubes 100, 200 relative to one another).

[0056] Sequence of FIG. 4A.fwdarw.4B.fwdarw.4C illustrates mounting of the first sealed spherical joint's sealing 11 to common bushing 50.

[0057] As can be seen therein, first the first sealed spherical joint's sealing 11 including its ring seals 12 enters opposite bulges 51 at one front face of the common bushing 50 perpendicular to its final installation orientation (FIG. 4A.fwdarw.4B). Then the first sealed spherical joint's sealing 11 is rotated 90° into its final installation orientation (FIG. 4B.fwdarw.4C). The second sealed spherical joint's sealing 31 is installed accordingly afterwards.

[0058] Thereafter, the opposing ends of the first and second tube 100, 200 are inserted into the first and second sealed spherical joint's sealing 11, 31 respectively to form the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows, partially schematically, an axial section of a tube assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention compensating axial displacement (horizontal in FIG. 5). Corresponding features are denoted by identical reference numerals.

[0060] The tube assembly of FIG. 5 comprises a first tube 100, a second tube 200 and a connection connecting the first and second tube, said connection comprising a first sealed spherical joint 10, a first sealed linear joint 20, a second sealed spherical joint 30 constructed in the same way as the first sealed spherical joint 10 and a second sealed linear joint 40 constructed in the same way as the first sealed linear joint 20.

[0061] The first sealed spherical joint 10 comprises a first bushing 13 encompassing a first sealed spherical joint's sealing 11 arranged at the first tube 100, wherein axial movement of said first sealed spherical joint('s sealing) is prohibited by a roll bead 110 (see FIG. 8A) of the first tube 100.

[0062] Accordingly the second sealed spherical joint 30 comprises a second bushing 33 encompassing a second sealed spherical joint's sealing 31 arranged at the second tube 200, wherein axial movement of said second sealed spherical joint('s sealing) is prohibited by a roll bead 210 (see FIG. 8A) of the second tube 200.

[0063] The first sealed linear joint 20 comprises a sleeve 60 arranged axially movably at a shaft 14 of the first bushing 13 and a shaft 34 of the second bushing 33. Thus the second sealed linear joint 40 comprises said (common) sleeve 60 and said shaft 34.

[0064] Both sealed linear joints 20, 40 each comprise a ring seal 12 (see FIG. 6) and are supported by the first and second tube 100, 200 via the first and second sealed spherical joint 10, 30. The second sealed spherical joint 30 is coupled to the first sealed spherical joint 10 by the first and second sealed linear joint 20, 40.

[0065] As can be understood from FIGS. 5-7, said connection combining the first and second sealed spherical and linear joint 10, 20, 30 and 40 allows to compensate axial displacement (see FIG. 5: horizontal/axial movement of tubes 100, 200 relative to one another), angular displacement (see FIG. 6: tilt movement of tubes 100, 200 relative to one another) and planar displacement (see FIG. 7: vertical/radial movement of tubes 100, 200 relative to one another). As can be understood from FIG. 5, the sequential combination of the two sealed linear joints 20, 40 increase axial travel, wherein up to the linear spacing apart of tubes 100, 200 shown in FIG. 5 sealing is guaranteed. If both tubes 100, 200 are spaced apart from one another further then in FIG. 5, sealing may be guaranteed by a (seal) motion limiter (not shown).

[0066] Sequence of FIG. 8A.fwdarw.8B.fwdarw.8C.fwdarw.8D illustrates mounting of the tube assembly.

[0067] As can be seen in FIG. 8A, first the circumferentially split first sealed spherical joint's sealing 11 and the circumferentially split second sealed spherical joint's sealing 31 and one part 13A of the axially split first bushing 13 and one part 33A of the axially split second bushing 33 are arranged at the first and second tube 100, 200 respectively. In FIG. 8A only one ring segment 11A of the first sealed spherical joint's sealing 11 and one ring segment 31A of the second sealed spherical joint's sealing 31 are shown arranged at the first and second tube 100, 200 respectively.

[0068] After the other ring segment 11B, 31B is added, the so-formed ring-like circumferentially split first sealed spherical joint's sealing 11 and the circumferentially split second sealed spherical joint's sealing 31 are secured each by a lock ring 70 (see FIG. 8B).

[0069] Thereafter, the other part 13B of the axially split first bushing 13 is arranged at the first tube 100 and fixed to part 13A by a wave spring 71 and a lock ring 72. Accordingly the other part 33B of the axially split second bushing 33 is arranged at the second tube 200 and fixed to part 33A by a wave spring 71 and a lock ring 72 (see FIG. 8C).

[0070] After arranging the ring seals 12 at shaft 14 of the first bushing 13 and shaft 34 of the second bushing 33 respectively, the parts 60A, 60B of the circumferentially split sleeve 60 are arranged at shaft 14 and shaft 34 and fixed together by a clamp 73 (see FIG. 8D) to form the configuration shown in FIG. 5 (wherein clamp 73 is omitted as in FIGS. 6, 7).

[0071] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0072] “Sealing” as used herein is defined as a seal structure.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0073] 10 first sealed spherical joint [0074] 11 first sealed spherical joint's sealing [0075] 11A, 11B ring segment of first sealed spherical joint's sealing [0076] 12 ring seal [0077] 13 first bushing [0078] 13A, 13B part of axially split first bushing [0079] 14 shaft [0080] 20 first sealed linear joint [0081] 30 second sealed spherical joint [0082] 31 second sealed spherical joint's sealing [0083] 31A, 31B ring segment of second sealed spherical joint's sealing [0084] 33 second bushing [0085] 33A, 33B part of axially split second bushing [0086] 34 shaft [0087] 40 second sealed linear joint [0088] 50 common bushing [0089] 51 bulge [0090] 60 sleeve [0091] 60A, 60B Part of the circumferentially split sleeve [0092] 70 lock ring [0093] 71 wave spring [0094] 72 lock ring [0095] 73 clamp [0096] 100 first tube [0097] 110 roll bead [0098] 200 second tube [0099] 210 roll bead