VALVE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A valve assembly comprising: a fluid flow passage to permit the flow of a fluid through the valve assembly; a valve seat; and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly comprises: a valve member moveable relative to the valve seat between a first position in which the valve member is at least partially engaged with the valve seat to at least partially block the fluid flow passage, and a second position in which the valve member is remote from the valve seat; an actuator body in a fixed position relative to the valve seat; and a metal bellows that is attached to the valve member and to the actuator body and is disposed within the fluid flow passage. The valve member of the actuator assembly is moveable relative to the actuator body and extends around the actuator body such that the actuator body is disposed within the valve member.

Claims

1. A valve assembly comprising: a fluid flow passage to permit the flow of a fluid through the valve assembly; a valve seat; and an actuator assembly comprising: a valve member moveable relative to the valve seat between a first position in which the valve member is at least partially engaged with the valve seat to at least partially block the fluid flow passage, and a second position in which the valve member is remote from the valve seat; an actuator body in a fixed position relative to the valve seat; and a metal bellows that is attached to the valve member and to the actuator body and is disposed within the fluid flow passage; wherein the valve member of the actuator assembly is moveable relative to the actuator body and extends around the actuator body such that the actuator body is disposed within the valve member.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve member comprises a first valve member portion proximate the valve seat and a second valve member portion remote from the valve seat, and wherein the actuator body comprises a first actuator side and a second actuator side opposite the first side, wherein the first side faces the first valve member portion and the second actuator side faces the second valve member portion, and wherein the metal bellows is attached to the second actuator side of the actuator and to the second valve member portion, the metal bellows thereby being disposed between the actuator body and the second valve member portion.

3. The valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuator body and the second valve member portion define a control chamber for the valve assembly.

4. The valve assembly of claim 3, wherein the valve member is configured to move toward its first position when the pressure outside of the actuator assembly at the second valve member portion is greater than the pressure inside of the control chamber.

5. The valve assembly of claim 3, wherein the valve member is configured to move toward its second position when the pressure outside of the actuator assembly at the second valve member portion is less than or equal to the pressure inside of the control chamber.

6. The valve assembly of claim 3, wherein the metal bellows is moveable between an expanded configuration in which the metal bellows has a first dimension and a contracted configuration in which the metal bellows has a second dimension, the second dimension being smaller than the first dimension, and wherein, when moving to its expanded configuration, the metal bellows is configured to move the valve member to its second position and, when moving to its contracted configuration, the metal bellows is configured to move the valve member to its first position.

7. The valve assembly of claim 6, wherein the metal bellows is biased toward its expanded configuration.

8. The valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuator assembly comprises a guide shaft configured to guide the movement of the valve member.

9. The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a valve stop configured to limit movement of the valve assembly in a direction away from the valve seat.

10. A gas turbine engine for an aircraft, the gas turbine engine comprising: an engine core comprising a turbine, a compressor, and a core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a fan located upstream of the engine core, the fan comprising a plurality of fan blades; and a valve assembly of claim 1.

11. The gas turbine engine of claim 10, wherein the valve assembly is configured such that air from the compressor is configured to flow through the flow passage of the valve assembly.

12. The gas turbine engine of claim 10, wherein the actuator assembly comprises a control chamber for the valve assembly, wherein the valve assembly is configured such that air from the compressor is configured to flow to the control chamber of the valve assembly.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the Figures, in which:

[0063] FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a gas turbine engine;

[0064] FIG. 2 is a close up sectional side view of an upstream portion of a gas turbine engine;

[0065] FIG. 3 is a schematic, sectional side view of a valve assembly;

[0066] FIG. 4A is a schematic, sectional side view of a valve assembly in an open configuration;

[0067] FIG. 4B is a schematic, sectional side view of a valve assembly in a closed configuration;

[0068] FIG. 5A is a schematic view of a coupling between a valve assembly and an actuator body;

[0069] FIG. 5B is a schematic view of a coupling between a valve assembly and an actuator body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0071] FIG. 1 illustrates a gas turbine engine 10 having a principal rotational axis 9. The engine 10 comprises an air intake 12 and a propulsive fan 23 that generates two airflows: a core airflow A and a bypass airflow B. The gas turbine engine 10 comprises a core 11 that receives the core airflow A. The engine core 11 comprises, in axial flow series, a low pressure compressor 14, a high-pressure compressor 15, combustion equipment 16, a high-pressure turbine 17, a low pressure turbine 19 and a core exhaust nozzle 20. A nacelle 21 surrounds the gas turbine engine 10 and defines a bypass duct 22 and a bypass exhaust nozzle 18. The bypass airflow B flows through the bypass duct 22. The fan 23 is attached to and driven by the low pressure turbine 19 via a shaft 26 and an epicyclic gearbox 30.

[0072] In use, the core airflow A is accelerated and compressed by the low pressure compressor 14 and directed into the high pressure compressor 15 where further compression takes place. The compressed air exhausted from the high pressure compressor 15 is directed into the combustion equipment 16 where it is mixed with fuel and the mixture is combusted. The resultant hot combustion products then expand through, and thereby drive, the high pressure and low pressure turbines 17, 19 before being exhausted through the core exhaust nozzle 20 to provide some propulsive thrust. The high pressure turbine 17 drives the high pressure compressor 15 by a suitable interconnecting shaft 27. The fan 23 generally provides the majority of the propulsive thrust. The epicyclic gearbox 30 is a reduction gearbox.

[0073] An exemplary arrangement for a geared fan gas turbine engine 10 is shown in FIG. 2. The low pressure turbine 19 (see FIG. 1) drives the shaft 26, which is coupled to a sun wheel, or sun gear, 28 of the epicyclic gear arrangement 30. Radially outwardly of the sun gear 28 and intermeshing therewith is a plurality of planet gears 32 that are coupled together by a planet carrier 34. The planet carrier 34 constrains the planet gears 32 to precess around the sun gear 28 in synchronicity whilst enabling each planet gear 32 to rotate about its own axis. The planet carrier 34 is coupled via linkages 36 to the fan 23 in order to drive its rotation about the engine axis 9. Radially outwardly of the planet gears 32 and intermeshing therewith is an annulus or ring gear 38 that is coupled, via linkages 40, to a stationary supporting structure 24.

[0074] Note that the terms low pressure turbine and low pressure compressor as used herein may be taken to mean the lowest pressure turbine stages and lowest pressure compressor stages (i.e. not including the fan 23) respectively and/or the turbine and compressor stages that are connected together by the interconnecting shaft 26 with the lowest rotational speed in the engine (i.e. not including the gearbox output shaft that drives the fan 23). In some literature, the low pressure turbine and low pressure compressor referred to herein may alternatively be known as the intermediate pressure turbine and intermediate pressure compressor. Where such alternative nomenclature is used, the fan 23 may be referred to as a first, or lowest pressure, compression stage.

[0075] It will be appreciated that the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is by way of example only, and various alternatives are within the scope of the present disclosure. Purely by way of example, any suitable arrangement may be used for locating the gearbox 30 in the engine 10 and/or for connecting the gearbox 30 to the engine 10. By way of further example, the connections (such as the linkages 36, 40 in the FIG. 2 example) between the gearbox 30 and other parts of the engine 10 (such as the input shaft 26, the output shaft and the fixed structure 24) may have any desired degree of stiffness or flexibility. By way of further example, any suitable arrangement of the bearings between rotating and stationary parts of the engine (for example between the input and output shafts from the gearbox and the fixed structures, such as the gearbox casing) may be used, and the disclosure is not limited to the exemplary arrangement of FIG. 2. For example, where the gearbox 30 has a star arrangement (described above), the skilled person would readily understand that the arrangement of output and support linkages and bearing locations would typically be different to that shown by way of example in FIG. 2.

[0076] Accordingly, the present disclosure extends to a gas turbine engine having any arrangement of gearbox styles (for example star or planetary), support structures, input and output shaft arrangement, and bearing locations.

[0077] Optionally, the gearbox may drive additional and/or alternative components (e.g. the intermediate pressure compressor and/or a booster compressor).

[0078] Other gas turbine engines to which the present disclosure may be applied may have alternative configurations. For example, such engines may have an alternative number of compressors and/or turbines and/or an alternative number of interconnecting shafts. By way of further example, the gas turbine engine shown in FIG. 1 has a split flow nozzle 20, 22 meaning that the flow through the bypass duct 22 has its own nozzle that is separate to and radially outside the core exhaust nozzle 20. However, this is not limiting, and any aspect of the present disclosure may also apply to engines in which the flow through the bypass duct 22 and the flow through the core 11 are mixed, or combined, before (or upstream of) a single nozzle, which may be referred to as a mixed flow nozzle. One or both nozzles (whether mixed or split flow) may have a fixed or variable area. Whilst the described example relates to a turbofan engine, the disclosure may apply, for example, to any type of gas turbine engine, such as an open rotor (in which the fan stage is not surrounded by a nacelle) or turboprop engine, for example. In some arrangements, the gas turbine engine 10 may not comprise a gearbox 30.

[0079] The geometry of the gas turbine engine 10, and components thereof, is defined by a conventional axis system, comprising an axial direction (which is aligned with the rotational axis 9), a radial direction (in the bottom-to-top direction in FIG. 1), and a circumferential direction (perpendicular to the page in the FIG. 1 view). The axial, radial and circumferential directions are mutually perpendicular.

[0080] Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown a valve assembly 100. For example, the valve assembly 100 may be for the gas turbine engine 10. The valve assembly 100 comprises a fluid flow passage 101 to permit the flow of a fluid through the valve assembly 100. For example, the fluid may comprise air, oil, hydraulic fluid, and/or fuel etc.

[0081] The valve assembly 100 has an open configuration in which fluid is permitted to flow through the valve assembly 100 via the flow passage 101 and a closed configuration in which fluid is prevented from flowing through the valve assembly 100 via the flow passage 101. The valve assembly 100 is moveable between the open and closed configuration to selectively permit and/or prevent fluid through the valve assembly 100.

[0082] The valve assembly 100 comprises a valve seat 102 and an actuator assembly 105. The actuator assembly comprises a valve member 106 and a metal bellows 108. The valve member 106 is moveable relative to the valve seat 102 and is moveable between a first position and a second position. The second position of the valve member 106 will be described with reference to FIG. 4A and the first position of the valve member 106 will be described with reference to FIG. 4B. It will therefore be appreciated that the valve member is moveable between the configurations shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In the first position (FIG. 4B), the valve member 106 is at least partially engaged with the valve seat 102 so that flow through the flow passage 101 is at least partially blocked. For example, the valve member 106 in its first position may be engaged with the valve seat 102 to block the flow passage 101.

[0083] In the second position (FIG. 4A), the valve member 106 is remote from the valve seat 102 so that fluid is permitted to flow through the flow passage 101 of the valve assembly 100. When the valve member 106 is in its first position the valve assembly 100 is in a closed configuration (in which fluid flow therethrough is prevented). When the valve member 106 is not in its first position it may be remote from the valve seat 102, thereby being in its second position, and fluid flow through the flow passage may be permitted since the valve member 106 is not engaged with the valve seat 102 when the valve member 106 is in its second position. Therefore, when the valve member 106 is not in its first position (e.g. when it is in its second position), the valve assembly 100 may be in an open configuration.

[0084] The metal bellows 108 is disposed within the fluid flow passage 101 of the valve assembly 100. The metal bellows 108 is attached to the valve member 106.

[0085] The actuator assembly 105 comprises an actuator body 107. The valve member 106 is moveable relative to the actuator body 107. The actuator body 107 is in a fixed position relative to the valve seat 102. Therefore, there is no relative movement between the actuator body 107 and the valve seat 102, however the valve member 106 is able to move relative to both the valve seat 102 and the actuator body 107. It will be appreciated that the valve member 106 is moveable about the actuator body 107 to engage the valve seat 102 to block flow through the flow passage 101.

[0086] The metal bellows 108 is disposed in, e.g. within, the actuator assembly 105. The metal bellows 108 is attached to the actuator body 107. In one example, the metal bellows 108 is welded to the actuator body 107. In one example the metal bellows 108 is welded to the valve member 106. The metal bellows 108 may be welded to both the actuator body 107 and the valve member 106. The metal bellows 108 may be attached, e.g. mechanically attached, to each end of the actuator assembly 105 (one end on the actuator body 107, which is a static component of the actuator assembly 105) and the other end of the valve member (which may be a moveable piston element).

[0087] The valve member 106 is configured to extend around the actuator body 107 such that the actuator body 107 is disposed within the valve member 106.

[0088] The valve member 106 comprises a first valve member portion 106a and a second valve member portion 106b. The first valve member portion 106a is the portion of the valve member 106 that is proximate the valve seat 102. For example, the first valve member portion 106a faces, e.g. faces towards, the valve seat 102. The second valve member portion 106b is the portion of the valve member 106 that is remote from the valve seat 102. For example, the second valve member portion 106b is on an opposite side of the valve member 106 to the first valve member portion 106a. For example, the second valve member portion 106b faces away from the valve seat 102.

[0089] The actuator body 107 comprises a first actuator side 107a and a second actuator side 107b. The second actuator side 107b is opposite the first actuator side 107a, for example the second actuator side 107b is on an opposite side of the actuator body 107 to the first actuator side 107a. The first actuator side 107a faces the first valve member portion 106a and the second actuator side 107b faces the second valve member portion 106b. Therefore, the first actuator side 107a faces (e.g. faces toward) the valve seat 102 and the second actuator side 107a faces away from the valve seat 102. In the example of FIG. 3, all of the first and second valve member portions 106a,b and the first and second actuator sides 107a,b face away from (a centre of) the actuator assembly 105.

[0090] The metal bellows 108 is attached to the valve member 106 at the second valve member portion 106b and attached to the actuator body 107 at the second actuator side 107b. That is, the metal bellows is attached to the second valve member portion 106b and the second actuator side 107b. Therefore, the metal bellows 108 is disposed between the actuator body 107 and the second valve member portion 106b.

[0091] The valve assembly 100 comprises a control chamber 110. For example, the actuator assembly 105 comprises a control chamber 110. The control chamber 110, in this example, is defined by the actuator body 107 and the second valve member portion 106b. In this example, the control chamber is also defined the metal bellows 108. Therefore, the metal bellows may provide a leakage free dynamic seal for the control chamber, e.g. when the metal bellows 108 is welded to the actuator body 107 and valve member 106. The metal bellows 108 may also provide a valve control chamber of variable volume.

[0092] The flow passage 101 has an upstream portion 101a and a downstream portion 101b. It will therefore be appreciated that, when the valve assembly 100 is open, fluid is permitted to flow through the flow passage 101 from the upstream portion 101a to the downstream portion 101b. The valve member 106 is disposed within the flow passage 101 and is moveable in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2. Movement of the valve member 106 in the first direction D1 is toward the first position of the valve member 106, in which the valve member 106 is engaged with the valve seat 102, and in which the valve assembly 100 is closed. Movement of the valve member 106 in the second direction D2 is toward the second position of the valve member 106, in which the valve member 106 is remote from the valve seat 102, and in which the valve assembly 100 is open. Therefore, the first direction D1 is toward the downstream portion 101b of the flow passage 101 and of the valve assembly 100 and is therefore a downstream direction, and the second direction D2 is toward the upstream portion 101a of the flow passage 101 and of the valve assembly 100 and is therefore an upstream direction.

[0093] The metal bellows 108 is moveable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. In its expanded configuration the metal bellows 108 has a first dimension and in its contracted configuration the metal bellows 108 has a second dimension, the second dimension is smaller than the first dimension so that the dimension of the bellows increases as the metal bellows moves from its contracted to its expanded configuration. Conversely, the dimension of the bellows decreases as the bellows moves from its expanded to its contracted configuration. The dimension of the bellows may be its height, length, depth, etc., but the bellows may have constant width.

[0094] As the metal bellows 108 is attached to the valve member 106 (e.g. attached to the second valve member portion 106b) movement of the metal bellows 108 causes the valve member to 106 to move, e.g. relative to the actuator body 107. As the actuator body 107 is in its fixed position, expansion of the bellows causes the valve member 106 to move in the second direction D2 (e.g., the upstream direction) and contraction of the bellows causes the valve member 106 to move in the first direction D1 (e.g. the downstream direction) and therefore toward the vale seat 102. Therefore, in this example, the metal bellows 108 is configured to move the valve member 106 to its second position when the metal bellows 108 is moving to its expanded configuration and the metal bellows 108 is configured to move the valve member 106 to its first position when the metal bellows 108 is moving to its contracted configuration.

[0095] The metal bellows 108 may be biased towards its expanded configuration. Therefore, the metal bellows 108 may be biased in the direction D2, e.g. biased upstream. The valve assembly 100 may therefore be biased to an open configuration.

[0096] As will be described below, a force applied to the actuator assembly 105 in the first direction D1 may overcome the natural bias of the metal bellows 108 and cause it to move to its contracted configuration, thereby causing the valve member 106 to move in the first direction D1, towards its first position, and therefore towards the valve seat 102. Enough force may thereby cause the valve member 106 to be fully engaged with the valve seat 102 to thereby block flow through the flow passage 101, thereby closing the valve assembly 100. Alternatively, a force in the control chamber 110 may cause the bellows to move to its expanded configuration and thereby cause the valve member 106 to move in the direction D2 to its second position. Therefore, if the valve member 106 is initially seated on the valve seat 102 to block the flow passage 101, enough force in the control chamber 110 action on the valve member 106 and actuator body 107 may cause the valve member 106 to become unseated, thereby opening the flow passage 101, and thereby opening the valve assembly 100.

[0097] The actuator assembly 105 comprises an upstream portion, or side, 105a. Therefore, in one example pressure on the upstream portion 101a of the flow passage 101, and therefore on the upstream side 105a of the actuator assembly may, in some examples, supply enough force to overcome the natural bias of the metal bellows 108 and cause the valve member 106 to move to its first, or seated, position closing the valve assembly 100. It will therefore be appreciated that a pressure differential across the valve member 106 may cause the valve member 106 to move, and the metal bellows 108 to expand and/or contract. In some examples, a greater pressure applied to the upstream side 105a of the actuator assembly 105 than the pressure in the control chamber 110 may cause the bellows to contract, thereby moving the valve member 106 toward its first portion engaging the valve seat 102. In another example, the same pressure on the upstream side 105a of the actuator assembly 105 and in the control chamber 110 may cause the bellows to expand, thereby moving the valve member 106 toward its second position, the open position, since the same pressure may cause a net force imbalance to move the valve member in the opening direction.

[0098] The valve assembly 100 comprises a control chamber flow passage 111 to permit the flow of fluid into the valve control chamber 110. It will be appreciated that as control fluid is supplied into the valve control chamber 110 this internal pressure may act with the internal bias of the metal bellows (e.g. when the metal bellows is biased to an expanded position to thereby bias the valve assembly 100 open) to provide an additional opening force to the valve member 106 and therefore the valve assembly 100. This may overcome any closing force provided on the upstream side 105a of the valve assembly 100, which force imbalance causes the valve member 106 to move away from the valve seat 102 (in the direction D2) and hence to open the valve assembly 100. When the valve control chamber 110 is vented, the resulting force imbalance may cause the valve member 106 to slew in the direction D1 to become seated (e.g. engaged with the valve seat 102) to thereby slew the valve assembly 100 to its closed configuration. Therefore, careful control of the pressure supplied to the control chamber 110 inside of the metal bellows 108 may allow the valve member 106 to be controlled to any given position between a fully open and a fully closed position.

[0099] The use of a metal bellows 108 provides a seal for the control chamber 110. Therefore, no sliding seal is needed and leakage flow of pressurised air out of the control chamber 110 can be minimised and/or prevented.

[0100] Referring now to FIG. 4A there is shown the valve assembly 100 in an open configuration. In the open configuration shown in FIG. 4A the valve member 106 has moved to its second position thereby unblocking, or not blocking, the flow path 101. Flow of fluid is thereby permitted through the valve assembly as indicated by the arrows 1-4.

[0101] The actuator assembly 105 is therefore disposed within the flow passage 100 such that, when the valve assembly is open, fluid is configured to flow from an upstream portion 101a of the flow passage to a downstream portion 101b of the flow passage around the actuator assembly 105 (and therefore around the valve member 106 and around the metal bellows 108).

[0102] In this example, the actuator assembly 105 comprises a valve sealing surface 109, e.g. the valve member 106 comprises a sealing surface 109. The sealing surface 109 in this example is the part of the valve member 106 that engages the valve seat 102 to prevent fluid flowing past the actuator assembly 105 and to the downstream side of the flow passage 100 when the valve assembly 100 is closed. The distance between the sealing surface 109 and the valve seat 102 defines a moveable air area 113 (which can be considered to be a movable air curtain or curtain area) through which fluid may flow from the upstream portion 101a to the downstream portion 101b of the flow passage 101 when the valve assembly 100 is open. The curtain area 113 is shown in FIG. 4A as this figure depicts a schematic cross section.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 4A, the force acting on the actuator assembly 105 on the upstream side 105a is not enough to overcome the force acting on the assembly 105 within the control chamber 110 and so the bellows is in its expanded configuration, and the valve member 106, and therefore the sealing surface 109, is remote from the valve seat 102. For example, the control chamber 110 may be pressurised at a lower pressure than the upstream side 105a, or may not be pressurised at all but the force or pressure on the upstream side 105a is not enough to overcome the natural bias of the metal bellows 108. Accordingly, FIG. 4A shows the valve assembly open.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 4A, the control chamber flow passage 111 defines a fluid path indicated by arrow 114 into the control chamber 110. A controller, schematically indicated by 115, may be provided and configured to supply the control chamber 110 with a source of pressure, e.g. pressurised fluid. Controller 115 may be configured to route pressure from an upstream side of the valve assembly 100, as indicated by arrow 116. Therefore, in some examples, the same fluid, or fluid at the same pressure, may be supplied to both the control chamber 110 of the valve and the upstream actuator side 105a. In other words, the fluid in the flow path may (through flow paths indicated by arrow 116 and arrow 114) be supplied to the control chamber 110. As indicated by arrow 117 the controller 115 may be configured to vent fluid in the control chamber 110 of the valve assembly 100.

[0105] In this example, the valve assembly 100 comprises a guide shaft 119 and a concentric surface 120, the concentric surface 120 being concentric to the guide shaft 119. As shown in FIG. 4A, the actuator assembly 105 comprises the guide shaft 119 and the concentric surface 120. More specifically, the actuator assembly 105 comprises the guide shaft 119 and the valve member 106 comprises the concentric surface 120. Therefore, in this example, the valve member 106 is disposed about a guide shaft. It will be appreciated that the guide shaft 119 guides movement of the valve member 106. In other words, translational movement of the valve member 106 (i.e. between its first and second positions, in the first and/or second directions D1, D2) is at least in part defined by the guide shaft 119, which is configured to prevent lateral movement (i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the first and/or second directions D1, D2) of the valve member 106.

[0106] FIG. 4B shows the valve assembly 100 in a closed configuration. Accordingly, no fluid is permitted to flow past the actuator assembly (and therefore valve member and bellows), as the valve sealing surface 109 and therefore the valve member 106 has engaged the valve seat 102. The metal bellows 108 is shown in FIG. 4B as fully compressed, i.e. at a minimal dimension (e.g. depth). The configuration of FIG. 4B may be attained by venting (e.g. via a passage indicated by arrow 117 and under control of the controller 115) the control chamber 110 of the valve so that the internal force, the force internal to the actuator assembly 105, is not sufficient to overcome the force on the upstream side 105a of the actuator assembly 150 and therefore the valve member 106 moves to its first position, compressing the bellows, seating the valve sealing surface 109 against the valve seat 102.

[0107] It will readily be appreciated from FIGS. 4A and 4B that the valve assembly 100 comprises a moveable component and a static component. In these examples, the moveable component comprises the valve member 106 and the static component comprises the valve seat 102 and the actuator body 107. In certain examples, the actuator assembly 105 comprises a piston. For example, the valve member 106 and surface 120 may be part of a moveable piston. The control chamber 110 may be a chamber of the piston.

[0108] It will also be appreciated that the valve assembly 100 provides a dynamic seal (e.g. when sealing surface 109 engages the valve seat 102) between two moving components. Accordingly, the valve sealing surface 109 and/or the valve member 106 may be considered to be a dynamic seal for the valve assembly 100. The valve sealing surface 109 and/or the valve member 106 can therefore permit relative movement between surfaces that require sealing. When the sealing surface 109 is engaged with the valve seat 102 to block flow through the fluid flow path 101, a seal is therefore obtained in the valve assembly 100.

[0109] The valve member may comprise a piston element or piston assembly, as schematically depicted in FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b. The axial expansion and contraction (or compaction) of the bellows which is attached to the valve member, permits the valve member to translate (e.g. in the directions D1 and D2) as a function of differential pressures to achieve any position between the valve assembly 100 being fully open and fully closed. The translation of the valve member (or piston assembly) therefore controls the flow metering, pressure regulating, or non-return function of the valve assembly 100, and therefore may control the flow metering, pressure regulating, or non-return function of a gas turbine engine when the valve assembly 100 is utilised in conjunction with a gas turbine engine.

[0110] As the metal bellows 108 is biased to an expanded (e.g. fully expanded) configuration (thereby biasing the valve assembly 100 open), no separate opening feature (e.g. a spring) is needed to open the valve assembly 100. Additionally, in examples where the metal bellows 108 is mechanically connected to the actuator body 107, a static component of the valve assembly, and the valve member 106, a moveable component, the valve member 106 is mechanically restrained from rotation

[0111] It will be appreciated that the metal bellows 108 may provide at least one of the following functions: to act as a spring constant for the valve assembly, to define the default state of the valve (in the examples above, to ensure that the valve is open when under no differential pressure), seal the control chamber, and rotationally constrain the actuator body and valve member from moving.

[0112] The valve assembly 100 may comprise a valve stop to limit movement of the valve assembly in a direction away from the valve seat 102 (in the direction D2). For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the valve member 106 comprises a lip, or a flange, 121, in this example, the lip is a radial lip 121 that moves with the valve member 106 relative to the actuator body 107. The sealing surface 109 may comprise the lip 121.

[0113] As can be seen in FIG. 4A, the valve member 106 has moved in the direction D2 such that the lip 121 is engaged with the actuator body 107 which prevents further movement of the valve member 106 in the direction D2. Therefore, in this example, the second position of the valve member 106 may be defined as the position at which the lip 121 engages the actuator body 107 to prevent further movement of the valve member 106 in the direction D2. In one example the actuator assembly 105 comprises a piston, and the valve member is part of a piston cover. In this example, the lip 121 may be a part of the piston cover that bends back in radially, i.e. towards a piston central axis.

[0114] An alternate, or additional, feature to the lip 121 is depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B which is a bayonet-style coupling. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate such a coupling.

[0115] In the example depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B the valve member 106 comprises three outwardly protruding dogs or lugs 122a-c and the actuator body 107 comprises three correspondingly sized and shaped recesses 123a-c. The actuator body 107 also comprises three flanges 124a-c, each flange being disposed in between two of the three recesses 123a-c (for example flange 124a is disposed between recesses 123a and 123b, etc.).

[0116] To assembly the valve apparatus 100, or to couple the valve member 106 to the actuator body 107, the valve member 106 is inserted into the actuator body, e.g. in the axial direction 150, such that the lugs 122a-c are each disposed within a respective recess 123a-c of the actuator body 107. This is shown in FIG. 5A. Withdrawal of the valve member 106 from the actuator body 107 is therefore possible in this configuration as the lugs 122a-c are free to pass through the recesses 123a-c.

[0117] The valve member 106 may be rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise to the configuration shown in FIG. 5B, in which the lugs 122a-c are each axially aligned with one of the actuator flanges 124a-c. The valve member 106 and the actuator body 107 are configured such that when the lugs 122a-c are engaged with the flanges 124a-c, further movement of the valve member 106 in the direction D2 is prevented. Therefore, in this example, the second position of the valve member 106 may be defined as the position at which the lugs 122a-c engage the flanges 124a-c to prevent further movement of the valve member 106 in the direction D2.

[0118] In the depicted example the lugs are provided on the valve member and the recesses/flanges are provide on the actuator body. In another example the lugs may be provided on the actuator body and the recesses/flanges may be provided on the valve member. Although three flanges/recesses/lugs are depicted it will be understood that this is exemplary only and in other examples any number could be used.

[0119] In some examples the valve member comprises a piston, in which case the lugs could be provided on the piston body. In another example, the recesses may be provided on the piston body.

[0120] In examples where the bayonet fitting is used, the metal bellows may restrain the actuator body and valve member from relative rotation. This may ensure a secure fitting since rotation (which could lead to the lugs being rotated to be in line with the recesses) is avoided. Therefore, in one example, when assembling the valve assembly the valve member and actuator body may be engaged via the bayonet-style engagement prior to the metal bellows being attached (e.g. welded) to each of the valve member and actuator body.

[0121] The valve stops (e.g. the lugs/flanges of FIG. 5A or 5B or the radial lip 121 of FIGS. 4A and 4B) may limit and/or define the fully open position of the valve assembly 100, and may limit the maximum volume of fluid through the valve assembly 100. The stops therefore may define the exact valve member stroke, e.g. travel distance, and therefore the curtain area of the valve assembly. For example, these may be controlled by varying the placement of the valve stops to meet specific design requirements or constraints in a controllable and repeatable way.

[0122] It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.