JOINT

Abstract

A joint for coupling ducts, the joint including: a flexible conduit section extending along an axial direction from a first end to a second end; a first connector at a first end of the flexible conduit, arranged to releasably couple the flexible conduit section to a first duct; a first bearing member extending from the first connector, and forming a first bearing surface defining a first plane, wherein the axial direction passes through the first plane; a second connector at the second end of the flexible conduit, arranged to releasably couple the flexible conduit section to a second duct; a second bearing member extending from the second connector, the second bearing member forming a second bearing surface facing the first bearing surface and defining a second plane, wherein the axial direction passes through the second plane; a rod extending between the bearing surfaces.

Claims

1. A joint for coupling ducts, the joint including: a flexible conduit section extending along an axial direction from a first end to a second end; a first connector at a first end of the flexible conduit, arranged to releasably couple the flexible conduit section to a first duct; a first bearing member extending from the first connector, and forming a first bearing surface defining a first plane, wherein the axial direction passes through the first plane; a second connector at the second end of the flexible conduit arranged to releasably couple the flexible conduit section to a second duct; a second bearing member extending from the second connector, the second bearing member forming a second bearing surface facing the first bearing surface and defining a second plane, wherein the axial direction passes through the second plane; a rod extending between the bearing surfaces, wherein the rod pivotally engages the first bearing surface at a first pivot joint, and the second bearing surface at a second pivot joint, and wherein the rod is arranged to releasably couple the first bearing member to the second bearing member.

2. The joint of claim 1, wherein the first connector and the second connector are releasably coupled to the flexible conduit.

3. The joint of claim 2, wherein the first connector is fixedly coupled to the first duct and the second connector is fixedly coupled to the second duct.

4. The joint of claim 2, wherein each pivot joint includes: an end portion of the rod comprising a face forming an end of the rod, wherein the face is curved in cross section taken parallel to the pivot direction and the axial direction; and a depression into the bearing surface arranged to receive at least part of the end portion of the rod, and having a base, wherein the base is curved in cross-section taken parallel to the pivot direction and the axial direction and extends over a width along the pivot direction, wherein the width of the depression is greater than the width of the end portion of the rod, and wherein a radius of curvature of the base of the depression matches a radius of curvature of the face of the end of the rod.

5. The joint of claim 1, wherein: the first pivot joint is configured to enable the rod to pivot relative to the first bearing surface along a first pivot direction in the first plane; and the second pivot joint is configured to enable the rod to pivot relative to the second bearing surface along a second pivot direction in the second plane.

6. The joint of claim 5, wherein the first pivot direction is perpendicular to the second pivot direction.

7. The joint of claim 1, wherein the rod includes a first retaining portion at the first bearing surface, and a second retaining portion at the second bearing surface; and wherein the joint further includes a first clamping member arranged to engage the first bearing surface and first retaining portion to secure the rod to the first bearing surface, and a second clamping member arranged to engage the second bearing surface and second retaining portion to secure the rod to the second bearing surface.

8. The joint of claim 7, wherein each clamping member is arranged around the rod, and includes an opening through which the rod passes, and wherein the opening is larger than the rod, such that the clamping member allows the rod to pivot relative to the bearing surface.

9. The joint of claim 7, wherein the clamping members are releasably secured to the bearing surfaces.

10. The joint of claim 7, wherein the clamping members are fixedly secured to the bearing surfaces, and wherein the rod includes a first rod portion, a second rod portion, and a releasable connection between the first rod portion and the second rod portion.

11. The joint of claim 10, wherein the releasable connection comprises a socket member formed in the end of the first rod portion, and plug member, arranged to engage in the socket, formed in the end of the second rod portion.

12. The joint of claim 11, wherein the socket member defines an enclosure to receive the plug member, the enclosure extending along a portion of the length of the rod, and wherein the plug member has a length extending shorter than the enclosure.

13. The joint of claim 10, wherein the releasable connection comprises a slip joint arranged to accommodate extension of compression of the rod in the axial direction.

14. The joint of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plane and the second plane extend perpendicular to the axial direction.

15. The joint of claim 1, wherein the first plane is parallel to the second plane.

16. The joint of claim 1, wherein the rod extends parallel to the axial direction.

17. The joint of claim 1, wherein the first and second bearing members extend radially out from the flexible conduit.

18. The joint of claim 1, wherein the flexible conduit comprises a bellows section.

19. An air ducting system comprising: a first duct; a second duct; and a joint as claimed in claim 1, coupling the first duct to the second duct.

20. A gas turbine aircraft engine comprising an air ducting system as claimed in claim 19, to provide one or more of the following: cabin bleed air; air transfer to or from a further gas turbine aircraft engine; air for anti-icing systems; and starter air.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the Figures, in which:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a sectional side view of a gas turbine engine;

[0050] FIG. 2 is a close up sectional side view of an upstream portion of a gas turbine engine;

[0051] FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away view of a gearbox for a gas turbine engine;

[0052] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an air duct system for delivering air to a passenger cabin of an air craft;

[0053] FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of a flexible disconnect joint for use in the system of FIG. 4;

[0054] FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of the flexible disconnect joint of FIG. 5A;

[0055] FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional side view of the joint of FIG. 5A;

[0056] FIG. 7A shows a schematic sectional view of a pivot joint on a bearing surface of the flexible disconnect joint of FIG. 5A, taken parallel to a pivot direction;

[0057] FIG. 7B shows a schematic sectional view of a pivot joint on a bearing surface of the flexible disconnect joint of FIG. 5A, taken perpendicular to a pivot direction;

[0058] FIG. 8 shows the connecting rod of the joint of FIG. 5A; and

[0059] FIG. 9 shows a connecting rod for an alternative embodiment of the flexible disconnect joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] The epicyclic gearbox 30 is shown by way of example in greater detail in FIG. 3. Each of the sun gear 28, planet gears 32 and ring gear 38 comprise teeth about their periphery to intermesh with the other gears. However, for clarity only exemplary portions of the teeth are illustrated in FIG. 3. There are four planet gears 32 illustrated, although it will be apparent to the skilled reader that more or fewer planet gears 32 may be provided within the scope of the claimed invention. Practical applications of a planetary epicyclic gearbox 30 generally comprise at least three planet gears 32.

[0065] The epicyclic gearbox 30 illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 2 and 3 is of the planetary type, in that the planet carrier 34 is coupled to an output shaft via linkages 36, with the ring gear 38 fixed. However, any other suitable type of epicyclic gearbox 30 may be used. By way of further example, the epicyclic gearbox 30 may be a star arrangement, in which the planet carrier 34 is held fixed, with the ring (or annulus) gear 38 allowed to rotate. In such an arrangement the fan 23 is driven by the ring gear 38. By way of further alternative example, the gearbox 30 may be a differential gearbox in which the ring gear 38 and the planet carrier 34 are both allowed to rotate.

[0066] It will be appreciated that the arrangement shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] Optionally, the gearbox may drive additional and/or alternative components (e.g. the intermediate pressure compressor and/or a booster compressor).

[0069] 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 engine 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an air duct system 100 for delivering air from a compressor 14, 15 of a gas turbine engine 10 to a passenger cabin air supply system 102. The system 100 includes a number of sections of ducts 104, and is mounted on a core 11 or nacelle 21 of the engine 10.

[0072] As the engine 10 undergoes acceleration the loading means that different parts of the ducting system 100 may be displaced relative to other parts. Similar displacement is caused by the engine 10 thermally expanding and contracting, and by different thermal expansion of contraction of parts of the engine 10 at different rates.

[0073] In order to accommodate relative displacement of the different parts of the duct system 100, the duct sections 104 may be joined by flexible joints. The flexible joints can also accommodate tolerances in the manufacture and installation of the ducting system 100.

[0074] One type of flexible joint is a gimbal joint 106. A gimbal joint 106 connects two different duct sections 104, and allows each duct section 104 to rotate about of cone of movement around an axis of the joint 106. The gimbal joint 106 also restricts torsional forces.

[0075] In some cases, access may be required to particular duct sections 104 for maintenance or replacement. In such cases, sections of duct 104 may be coupled together by non-flexible disconnectable joints such as vee-band clamps 108. Where vee-band clamps 108 are provided at either end of a duct section 104a, the section 104a may be easily removed and replaced.

[0076] The system 100 further includes flexible disconnect joints 110 where access is required to the ducts 104 in the system 100, and it is also necessary to accommodate relative displacement forces on the ducts 104 in the same location. FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6 illustrate an embodiment of a flexible disconnect joint 110 in more detail. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the joint 110 in side and perspective view, whilst FIG. 6 illustrates a cut-through sectional view of the joint 110.

[0077] In the following description, the flexible disconnect joint 110 will be described in the absence of any distortion force, as shown in the Figures. It will be appreciated that displacement forces of the ducts 104 may alter the relative arrangement of the joint 110.

[0078] The flexible disconnect joint 110 extends from a first end 112 to a second end 114, along an axial direction 116. At the first end 112 of the flexible disconnect joint 110, a first connector 118 is provided. The connector 118 comprises a first annular joining portion 120 and a first bearing member 122 formed as a projection extending radially outward from the joint portion 120, perpendicular to the axial direction 116. The bearing member 122 only extends for a portion of the circumference of the joining portion 120, and does not extend around the full circumference of the flexible disconnect joint 110.

[0079] The joint portion 120 defines a passage 128 through the first connector 118. On a first side of the joint portion 120, a first annular lip 124 is formed for joining the first connector 118 to a duct section 104. The joint between the first connector 118 and the duct 104 may be formed by welding, or any other suitable fixing means, to form a rigid (or fixed) connection.

[0080] On a second side of the joint portion 120, an annular recess 126 is formed in the surface of the connector defining the passage 128. An annular cuff 130 is fixed to the connector 118 in the recess 126, for example by welding, and extends along the axial direction 116, out of the second side of the joint portion 120. The depth of the recess 126 is such that the inner surface of the cuff 130 forms a continuous or substantially continuous surface defining the passage 128.

[0081] At the second end 114 of the flexible disconnect joint 110, a second connector 132 is provided. The second connector 132 is a mirror image of the first connector 118, about a plane perpendicular to the axial direction 116.

[0082] Therefore, the second connector 132 comprises a second annular joining portion 134 and a second bearing member 136 formed as a projection extending radially outward from the joint portion 134, perpendicular to the axial direction 116. The bearing member 136 only extends for a portion of the circumference of the joining portion 134, and does not extend around the full circumference of the flexible disconnect joint 110.

[0083] The joint portion 134 defines a passage 142 through the second connector 132. On a first side of the joint portion 134, a second annular lip 138 is formed for joining the second connector 132 to a duct section 104. The joint between the second connector 132 and the duct 104 may be formed by welding, or any other suitable fixing means, to form a rigid (or fixed) connection.

[0084] On a second side of the joint portion 134, an annular recess 140 is formed in the surface of the connector defining the passage 142. An annular cuff 144 is fixed to the connector 132 in the recess 140, for example by welding, and extends along the axial direction 116, out of the second side of the joint portion 134. The depth of the recess 140 is such that the inner surface of the cuff 144 forms a continuous or substantially continuous surface defining the passage 142.

[0085] In the flexible disconnect joint 110, the first and second connectors 118, 132 are arranged with their second sides facing each other, such that the first annular cuff 130 extends towards the second connector 132, and the second annular cuff 144 extends towards the first connector 118, and the ducting sections 104 both extend away from the flexible disconnect joint 110. The bearing members 122, 136 are circumferentially aligned around the axial direction 116, such that they face towards each other.

[0086] A bellows section 146 is provided between the connectors 118, 132. The bellows section 146 fits over the part of the cuffs 130, 144 extending out of the joint portions 120, 134 of the connectors 118, 132, and is secured by a Jubilee clip 148 or other suitable fastener to clamp the bellows section 146 to each cuff 130, 144. The connectors 118, 132, cuffs 130, 144 and bellows section 146 combine to form a passage 150 through the flexible disconnect joint 110, between the duct sections 104 fixed to the two connectors 118, 132. The joint 110 maintains pressure in the ducting system 100, even when under displacement forces.

[0087] On the radially interior surface of each cuff, a flow liner 152, 54 is provided, extending into the bellows section 146. The flow liner minimises pressure losses and turbulent effects through the joint 110 and hence the wider ducting system 100, and additionally minimises flow induced vibration in the bellows section 146. The flow liners 152, 154 may be any suitable material, such as Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Steel, or Titanium.

[0088] The bellows section 146 accommodates relative displacement of the duct sections 104, by allowing for relative displacement of the connectors 118, 132, whilst maintaining the connection between the duct sections 104.

[0089] In order to manage high loads without breaking the bellows section 146, a rigid connector rod 156 is provided between the bearing members 122, 136, to limit the range of movement of the bellows section 146.

[0090] Each bearing member 122, 136 defines a bearing surface 158, 160, that face towards each other. The bearing surfaces 158, 160 extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axial direction 116.

[0091] The rod 156 extends from a first end 162 to a second end 164, parallel to the axial direction 116. The first end 162 of the rod 156 engages the first bearing surface 158 at a first restricted pivot joint 166. The second end 164 of the rod 156 engages the second bearing surface 160 at a second restricted pivot joint 168.

[0092] As will be discussed in more detail below, each restricted pivot joint 166, 168 only allows the rod 156 to pivot relative to the respective bearing surface 158, 160 along a single linear pivot direction 170, 172. The pivot directions 170, 172 extend perpendicular to the axial direction 116, and perpendicular to each other, to allow relative displacement of the two ends 112, 114 of the flexible connector joint 110 around a range of 360 degrees.

[0093] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an example of one of a restricted pivot joint 166, 168 in more detail. FIG. 7A shows a cross-section through a pivot joint 166, 168, taken parallel to the pivot direction 170, 172, whilst FIG. 7B illustrates the pivot joint 166, 168 in cross section perpendicular to the pivot direction 170, 172.

[0094] In the example shown, the rod 156 is generally cylindrical along its length. However, at each end 162, 164 an enlarged end portion 174, 176 is formed. The end portion 174, 176, is formed by a pair of planar parallel sides 178a,b. The sides 178a,b extend parallel to the length of the rod 156, and parallel to the pivot direction 170, 172. Front and rear faces 186a,b are formed between the sides 178a,b. The sides 178a,b have a width 180 larger than the diameter of the rod 156, to form an enlarged section of the rod 156. However, perpendicular to the pivot direction 170, 172 the thickness 182 between the sides 178a,b is approximately equal to the diameter of the rod 156, so the end portion 174, 176 is only enlarged in one direction.

[0095] Where the end portion 174, 176 meets the rod, a shoulder 184 is formed. Opposite the shoulder, on the end portion 174, 176, an end face 188 is provided, forming the end surface of the rod 156. In cross section parallel to the pivot direction 172, 174, the end face is curved, about a radius of curvature in the plane of the sides 178a,b. There is no curvature of the end face 188 perpendicular to the pivot direction 170, 172.

[0096] A depression 190, 192, corresponding to the enlarged end portion is formed in the bearing surfaces 158, 160. The depression 190, 192, has planar sidewalls 194a,b extending parallel to the pivot direction 170, 172. The sides 194a,b are separated by a spacing 196. The depression 190. 192 further includes a base 198 extending between the sidewalls 194a,b, and to the bearing surface 158, 160.

[0097] The base 198 is curved, with a radius of curvature in the plane of the sidewalls 194a,b. the curved base extends from the bearing surface 158, 160 and thus forms the full width 200 of the depression 190, 192. There is no curvature in the base 198 perpendicular to the pivot direction 170, 172.

[0098] The depression 190, 192 receives the end portion 174, 176 of the rod. Due to the shape of the end portion 174, 176 and the depression 190, 192, the depression 190, 192 may only receive the end portion 174, 176 in one direction.

[0099] The spacing 196 between the sidewalls 194a,b of the depression 190, 192 is arranged to receive the thickness 182 of the end portion 174, 176 of the rod 156, but prevent any pivoting of the rod 156 in a direction perpendicular to the pivot direction 170, 172. As such, the spacing 196 between the sidewalls 194a,b of the depression 190, 192 is substantially the same as the thickness 182 of the end portion 174, 176 of the rod 156.

[0100] The radius of curvature of the base 198 is substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the end face 188 of the end portion 174, 176. Furthermore, the width 200 of the depression 190, 192 is larger than the width 180 of the end portion 174, 176. Thus, the rod 156 is able to pivot relative to the bearing surface 158, 160, but only along the pivot direction 170, 172 (i.e. the rod 156 pivots about a pivot point formed between the end face 188 of the rod 15, and the base 198 of the depression 190, 192, about an axis perpendicular to the pivot direction 170, 172 and the length of the rod 156).

[0101] FIG. 8 illustrates the rod 156, showing both enlarged end portions 174, 176. As shown in FIG. 8, the width 180 of the first end portion 174 is perpendicular to the width 180 of the second end portion 176. This ensures that the pivot direction 170 at the first bearing surface 158 is perpendicular to the pivot direction 172 at the second bearing surface 160.

[0102] The rod 156 is rigid in structure. Therefore, the length of the rod 156 prevents compression of the flexible disconnect joint 110 along the axial direction 116. In order to prevent expansion, and to retain the rod 156, clamps 202, 204 are provided to fix the rod 156 to each bearing surface 158, 160.

[0103] Each clamp 202, 204 is formed of a disc 206, 208 secured to the respective bearing surface 158, 160. Each disc 296, 208 includes an aperture 210, 212 through which the rod 156 passes. On the face of the disc 206, 208 that engages the bearing surface 158, 160, a recess 214, 216 is formed around the aperture 210, 212, forming a step 218, 220 in the disc 206, 208. The recess 214, 216 receives the enlarged end portion 174, 176 of the rod 156, such that the shoulder 184 engages the step 218, 220 to prevent axial expansion of the flexible disconnect joint 110. The shoulder 180 may thus be seen as a retaining portion of the rod 156.

[0104] The aperture 210, 212 and recess 214, 216 are sized to retain the rod 156, but also to allow pivoting of the rod 156 about the pivot joints 166, 168 to be unobstructed along the pivot direction 170, 172.

[0105] Each disc 206, 208 also includes a slot 222, 224 extending through the thickness of the disc 206, 208, in the axial direction 116. The slot extends radially form the aperture 210, 212 to the edge of the disc 206, 208 and is the width of the rod 156. Thus the slot 222, 224 allows the disc 206, 208 to be fitted over the rod 156, to assemble the joint. The rod 156 can then be secured to the bearing member 122, 136 by bolts 226 or other suitable fasteners.

[0106] When assembling the flexible disconnect joint 110, ducts 104 (also referred to as conduits) are fixed to the connectors 118, 132 as discussed above. The bellows section 146 is then secured to the connectors 118, 132 using Jubilee clips 148 or the like. The rod 156 is fitted between the bearing members 122, 136. The rod 156 is then secured using the discs 206, 208. The discs 206, 208 are positioned using the slots 222, 224 formed in the discs 206, 208, and the discs 206, 208 are then bolted to the bearing members 122, 136.

[0107] As discussed above, the bellows section 146 provides for flexibility of the flexible disconnect joint 110, whilst the rod 156 restricts the movement of the bellows 146, to accommodate high loads. Where a user wishes to disconnect one or both of the duct sections 104 coupled to the flexible disconnect joint 110, one or both of the discs 206, 208 is unbolted from the respective bearing member 122, 136 and the rod 156 disconnected. The bellows section 146 is then disconnected by disconnecting the Jubilee clips 148. This then allows one or both of the duct sections 104 to be maintained or replaced. If the duct 104 is replaced, a new connector 118, 132 may be provided, or the connector may be recovered from the old duct 104.

[0108] In the flexible disconnect joint 110 discussed above, the rod 156 is continuous along its length form the first end 162 to the second end 164. In an alternative example, the rod 228 is formed by two portions 230, 232 joined along the length of the rod 156. Unless stated otherwise, the alternative example is the same as the joint 100 discussed above.

[0109] In the alternative example, the first rod portion 230 forms the first end 162 of the rod 156, including the first end portion 174 and part of the length of the rod 200.

[0110] The second rod portion 232 includes the second end portion 176 and part of the length of the rod 200. The first and second portions are coupled together at a joint 234.

[0111] FIG. 9 shows the rod 228 for this alternative embodiment, showing the joint 234 in more detail.

[0112] The joint 234 includes a first joint member 236 fitted on the end of the first rod portion 230 by interengaging screw threads 240a, and a second joint member 238 fitted on the end of the second rod section 232, also by interengaging screw threads 240b

[0113] The first joint member 236 includes a head portion 242 extending radially out from the length of the rod 228. The second joint member 238 includes an enclosure (or socket) 244 arranged to receive the head portion 242. The enclosure is formed by an annularly extending wall 246 around the axial direction defined by the length of the rod 200.

[0114] The wall 246 forming the enclosure 244 defines an axially facing opening 248. The opening 248 is sized so that the head 242 can pass through the opening, into the enclosure 244, when assembling the rod 200. In order to secure the joint 234, a wire 250 is wound around the first joint member 236, inside the enclosure 244. The wire 250 is fed through an aperture 252 in the enclosure wall 246, and enlarges the size of the head portion 242, so it cannot pass back through the opening 248. Furthermore, a tight fit is formed between the head portion 242 and socket 244, to prevent any pivoting of the rod 228 around the joint.

[0115] This type of joint 234 is sometimes referred to as a ferrule joint.

[0116] The joint 234 in the rod 200 may be disconnected by removing the wire 250. This can be either by cutting the wire 250, are unwinding it. This allows the rod portions 230, 232 to be separated from each other.

[0117] Disconnecting the rod portions 230, 232 provides an alternative way to disconnect the flexible disconnect joint 200. Therefore, in a flexible disconnect joint 110 including a rod 228, with a disconnectable joint 234 along its length, the pivot joints 166, 168 may be permanently connected to the bearing surfaces 158, 160. For example, the discs 206, 208 forming the clamps 202, 204 may be welded or otherwise permanently connected to the bearing members 122, 136.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 9, the socket 244 extends over an axial length greater than an axial length of the head portion 242. Therefore, the first joint portion 230 can slide axially along the length of the enclosure 244, relative to the second joint portion 232. This allows the flexible disconnect joint 100 incorporating the rod 230 to accommodate some axial compression or expansion.

[0119] The flexible disconnect joint 110 may be formed of any suitable material, such as, for example, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, Steel, or Titanium. In some examples, the connectors 118, 132, bearing members 122, 134, bellows section 146, rod 156, 228, and clamp discs 206, 208 may be formed of the same material. In other examples, some or all of these components may be formed by different materials. The material used may be, at least in part, determined by the use of the ducting system 100. For example, where hot air or fluid is passed through the ducts 104, or the ducts 104 are provided in a high temperature environment, the joint 110 should be able to withstand this.

[0120] The bellows section 146 provided between the connectors 118, 132 is given by way of example only. Any suitable flexible conduit may be used in place of bellows. Furthermore, the flexible conduit 146 may be fixed to the connectors 118, 132 by any suitable releasable connection mechanism, other than Jubilee clips.

[0121] In some examples, the connectors 118, 132 may be releasably fixed to the ducts 104, and fixedly fixed to the flexible conduit 146.

[0122] The pivot joints 166, 168 at the bearing surfaces 158, 160 are given by way of example only. Any suitable construction of pivot may be used to provide the necessary movement between the bearing surfaces 158, 160.

[0123] In some examples, the width 180 of the end portion 174, 176 may be the same as or less than the width 200 of the depression 190, 192, and still accommodate pivoting along a joint direction 170, 172.

[0124] Furthermore, in the example discussed above, the pivot joints 166, 168 have limited freedom of movement, such that each pivot joint 166, 168 can only pivot along a single direction 170, 172. This is by way of example only, and the pivot joints 166,168 may have any suitable freedom of movement. In some cases, the freedom of movement of the flexible disconnect joint 110 may be further restricted by altering the relative angle between the two pivot directions 170, 172, where the pivot joints 166, 168 are restricted as discussed above.

[0125] In the examples discussed above, the bearing surfaces 158, 160 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axial direction 116 of the joint 110. Neither of these requirements are essential.

[0126] The clamping discs 206, 208 may be fixed to the bearing surface 158, 160 in any suitable permanent or releasable manners, as required.

[0127] Where the clamps 206, 208 are permanently secured to the bearing surfaces 158, 160, a disconnectable joint 234 may be formed in the rod 228 in any suitable manner. The ferrule connection discussed above is given by way of example only. Furthermore, in such cases, the connection 234 in the rod 228 does not necessarily have to accommodate expansion and compression of the rod 228, and may instead form a simple rigid rod 228.

[0128] In the example discussed in relation to FIG. 9, the joint members 236, 238 are coupled to the rod portions 230, 232 by screw threads 240a,b. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable fixing may be used. Furthermore, in some examples, the joint members 236, 238 may be integral with the rod portions 230, 232.

[0129] The system discussed in FIG. 1 is given as an illustrative example only. The system may have any suitable arrangement, and may include flexible disconnect joints 110 only, or flexible disconnect joints 110 along with flexible joints 106 and/or non-flexible disconnect joints 108, as the requirements of the system 100 require. The flexible disconnect joint 110 can be used in any situation in the system 100. One example of using the flexible disconnect joint 110 could be where both a disconnect joint 108 and flexible joint 106 is required. By using a single flexible disconnect joint 110, only a single component is needed and weight saved.

[0130] In the examples discussed above, the ducting system 100 including a flexible disconnect joint 110 is used in a gas turbine engine. However, it will be appreciated that the system and joint 110 can be used in any environment.

[0131] 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.