Method Of Manufacturing A Strainer, A Strainer, And An Ejector Comprising Such A Strainer

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a strainer, such as a strainer of an ejector used to transfer fuel between two tanks of an aircraft or to supply fuel to an engine is provided. The strainer includes a conduit whereof a first end is intended to be connected to an inlet of the ejector, and whereof a second end is located within a housing including an open face for the passage of fuel, the open face being closed off by a grate acting as a filter. The method includes the step of manufacturing the conduit, the housing and the grate of the strainer as a single monobloc part.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a strainer used to transfer fuel between two tanks of an aircraft or to supply fuel to an engine, said strainer comprising a conduit whereof a first end is adapted to be connected to an inlet, and whereof a second end is located within a housing comprising an open face for the passage of the fuel, the open face being closed off by a grate acting as a filter, the method being characterized in that the method comprises the step of manufacturing the conduit, the housing and the grate of the strainer as a single monobloc part.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the conduit, the housing and the grate of the strainer are made from metal.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the strainer is made at the same time as an ejector, with the first end of the conduit of the strainer connected as a monobloc part with an inlet of the ejector.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the manufacturing is performed using an additive, layer-by-layer manufacturing technique.

5. A strainer used to transfer fuel between two tanks of an aircraft or to supply fuel to an engine, said strainer comprising a conduit whereof a first end is intended to be connected to an inlet, and whereof a second end is housed in a housing comprising an open face for the passage of the fuel, the open face being closed off by a grate acting as a filter, characterized in that the conduit, the housing and the grate of the strainer are made as a single monobloc part.

6. An ejector used to transfer fuel between two tanks of an aircraft or to supply fuel to an engine, said ejector comprising an injector with an inlet, forming a primary inlet of the ejector, and having a calibrated diameter, and a frustoconical outlet with a smaller diameter, the outlet being in communication on the one hand with a so-called secondary inlet of the ejector arranged orthogonally to the outlet of the injector, and on the other hand with a diffusion plate, arranged coaxially to the outlet of the injector, with an outlet neck having a flared frustoconical shape, characterized in that the secondary inlet is connected to a strainer according to claim 5, with said strainer forming an integral monobloc part with at least said secondary inlet.

7. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the conduit, the housing and the grate of the strainer are made from aluminum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Further advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description, given by way of a non-limiting example, of the strainer and the ejector according to the invention, from the attached drawings wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional schematic view of the strainer according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional schematic view of an ejector according to the invention incorporating the strainer;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a single-part ejector and strainer assembly according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The invention broadly relates to a strainer (1), without limitation regarding its application, and will be described in relation to an ejector (2) used to transfer fuel between two fuel tanks of an aircraft or to supply fuel to an engine. The strainer (1) according to the invention is manufactured as a single part, and preferably from metal, such as aluminum. The strainer (1) can be attached to any device requiring filtration before the passage of a fluid, for example a pump or a rupture disc.

[0027] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the strainer (1) comprises a conduit (3), one end of which is located with a housing (4). The housing (4) comprises a generally cylindrical shape, coaxial to the conduit (3), and has an open face (5) across from the end of the conduit (3) for the passage of the fuel. The open face (5) is closed off by a grate (6) to act as a filter. The end of the conduit (3) that is located within the housing (4) comprises a flared frustoconical shaped neck (7).

[0028] The conduit (3), the housing (4) and the grate (6) are manufactured as a single part in order to form one monobloc part.

[0029] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the end of the strainer (1) that is not located within the housing (4) is for example intended to be connected to an inlet of an ejector (2).

[0030] More specifically, and in reference to FIG. 2, an ejector (2) is used to transfer fuel between two tanks of an aircraft and comprises an injector (8), in the form of a conduit (8a), with an inlet having a calibrated diameter, and a frustoconical outlet with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the inlet. The injector (8) is intended to be connected to a pump that supplies it with a stream of fuel. The configuration of the injector (8) makes it possible to accelerate this stream of fuel at the outlet.

[0031] The outlet of the injector (8) is in communication on the one hand with a secondary inlet (9) of the ejector (2) arranged orthogonally to the outlet of the injector (8), and on the other hand with a diffusion pipe (10), arranged coaxially to the outlet of the injector (8), with an outlet neck (11) having a flared frustoconical shape.

[0032] The secondary inlet (9) of the ejector (2) is connected with the conduit (3) of the strainer (1), the housing (4) of which is submerged in a first fuel tank. The outlet of the ejector (2) communicates with a second tank for the fuel transfer as such.

[0033] The accelerated stream of fuel coming from the injector (8) causes aspiration by means of a Venturi effect of a second stream of fuel that traverses the grate (6), the housing (4) and the conduit (3) of the strainer (1). The fuel stream mixture is propelled within the diffusion pipe (10) and is slowed down at the outlet, due to the flared outlet neck (11), to be transferred to the second tank.

[0034] Advantageously, the strainer (1) is manufactured as a single part with the secondary inlet (9) of the ejector (2).

[0035] The manufacturing technique used for example consists of an additive, layer-by-layer manufacturing technique.

[0036] The strainer (1) according to the invention comprises a single part, such that its design, validation, manufacture, procurement and storage are made easier. Manufacturing is easy, quick and inexpensive. Furthermore, given that the strainer (1) is made as a single part, with no fastening means, the electrical continuity is optimal, and the strainer (1) is lighter. These advantages are amplified if the strainer (1) forms an integral and monobloc part of the ejector (2).