Connector

Abstract

There is provided a connector apparatus (10) suitable for use between a generator (55) and a turbine (57) comprising a gas input (16), a gas output (12), a tube defining a channel (24) therethrough between the gas input and gas output, the tube including a corrugated section (14) to allow for thermal expansion and contraction wherein at least a portion of the tube is formed from two layers of corrugated material. This invention also relates to a system (28) comprising at least the connector, the generator and the turbine. The invention aims to solve or mitigate the fact that said mechanical units are difficult to connect durably throughout lengthy periods of operation, as they may be subject to prolonged mechanical disturbances, such as vibrations and / or continued thermal disturbances, because the metallic components may experience cycles of potentially significant expansion and contraction due to periodic surface contact with extreme fluid temperature differentials.

Description

[0001] Connector

[0002] This invention relates to a connector suitable for use between a generator and a turbine. This invention also relates to a system comprising at least the connector, the generator and the turbine.

[0003] The inventor of the present invention has noted that said mechanical units are difficult to connect durably throughout lengthy periods of operation, as they may be subject to prolonged mechanical disturbances, such as vibrations at frequencies in the order of 10 kHz, and / or continued thermal disturbances, such that the metallic components may experience cycles of potentially significant expansion and contraction due to periodic surface contact with extreme fluid temperature differentials. The inventor of the present invention has noted that a connector which allows increased axial and / or transverse relative movement between units can beneficially increase the overall arrangement's robustness to some of the harsh operating conditions typically present.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a connector apparatus comprising: a gas input; a gas output; a tube defining a channel therethrough between the gas input and gas output; the tube including a corrugated section to allow for thermal expansion and contraction; wherein at least a portion of the tube is formed from two layers of corrugated material.

[0005] Usually, a void is defined between the two layers of corrugated material.

[0006] At least one port may be provided in an external layer of the corrugated material to provide access to said void. Such a port may be used to monitor pressure in the void which may be indicative of a leak in the inner layer of corrugated material, and indeed may provide an earlier warning of such a leak so that remedial action may be taken, for example before the outer layer of corrugated material fails. A ported tap may be provided over the external layer in communication with said port. This can allow a pressure gauge to be connected, usually through a flexible hose. The pressure gauge may therefore be spaced away from the tube, and it is preferably located at a distal end of the flexible hose to space it away from the high temperatures in use. A valve may be provided in the tap, but it is more usually spaced further away for the same reason, such as at the distal end of the flexible hose.

[0007] A portion of the tube between the input and output usually has a section which is not corrugated. For example, the tube may include an end cuff.

[0008] A portion of the tube between the input and output usually has a section which has a single layer of material.

[0009] At least one through-port may be provided which extends from an outside of the tube to an inside of the tube, that is, the channel. The through-port may be provided through the section which is not corrugated. The through-port may be provided through the section which has a single layer of material such as the end cuff. The through-ports are preferably formed to meet with the inside of the tube in a substantially flush manner.

[0010] The at least one through-port may be in communication with a hollow boss, preferably located on the outside of the tube. The at least one boss may be indirectly fixed to the tube. The at least one boss may be joined or welded to a curved and / or slotted plate, preferably in a manner such that the periphery of the slot substantially, or completely aligns with the internal periphery of the interfacing boss. The at least one plate may be joined or welded to the tube, and preferably to the end cuff. The at least one plate may have an external curvature which is dimensioned to mate with the curvature of the inside of the tube. The at least one boss and / or the at least one plate are preferably formed to meet with the inside of the tube in a substantially flush manner.

[0011] Such a through-port, boss and / or plate may be used to extend an inspection tool through, such as a boroscope, when the system is not in use. The at least one boss may be covered, that is, it may be blanked off, by a covering such as an at least substantially unitary piece of material, when access therethrough is not required. The covering is preferably spaced away from the tube at a distal end of the boss because of the high temperatures in use. The covering is preferably a locking mechanism, such as a band clamp, which holds the hollow in the at least one boss normally closed. The one or more through-ports and associated boss(es) may be at a non-perpendicular angle, and even more preferably an acute angle, to the longitudinal axis of the tube, with reference to the major axis / axes of the boss(es). Preferably, at least one of the bosses and associated through-ports extends from the outside of the tube to the inside of the tube at a first angle, and at least another of the bosses and associated through-ports extends from the outside of the tube to the inside of the tube at a second angle, where the first and second angles are different from one another by for example more than 60 degrees. More preferably, the at least one through-port is angled towards a first end of the tube, and at least another through-port is angled towards a second end of the tube. Port positioning may be bespoke, in that it may be optimised for each application and / or power turbine type due to differing internal configurations.

[0012] The corrugated section may be referred to as a bellows, and it may function akin to a bellows in that the corrugations and / or convolutions allow for longitudinal expansion and contraction and relative lateral movement between gas inlet and outlet connections.

[0013] The layers of material may each have a thickness in the range of 0.25 mm to 0.90 mm, and preferably have a thickness in the range of 0.30 mm to 0.70 mm. Thus, contrary to expectations, the present invention can improve durability of such a connector using thinner, not thicker, material than is conventional.

[0014] An intermediate layer may be provided between the two layers of material. This is normally a softer material compared to the corrugated layers of material, and functions to alleviate friction and wear between the corrugated layers (which may expand and contract to slightly different extents given the outer layer is more remote from the hot gases and therefore cooler during use). The intermediate layer also serves to separate the inner and outer corrugated layers, so that the void therebetween is not inadvertently sub-divided by the inner and outer corrugated layers bonding, which could then cause pressure readings which are not indicative of the pressure in the full extent of the tube.

[0015] The softer intermediate layer may be a stainless steel or bronze alloy. The intermediate layer may be porous and / or it may be a mesh, such that it may comprise a perforated material, although it preferably comprises a woven material. The intermediate layer is preferably non-load-bearing, and it may not contribute to overall assembly strength. The tube between the gas input and gas output may be at least partially straight-walled and / or smooth-walled on its inner face. The channel may be at least partially defined by a lining portion of the tube and / or the end cuff of the tube. Preferably, the lining portion and / or the end cuff each have an inner surface that is substantially smooth. In use, the inner surface(s) is / are typically fluid-contacting, and the fluid is typically at least substantially gaseous. The gas inlet may be a gas-expulsion inlet, and the gas outlet may be a gasexpulsion outlet.

[0016] In use, the gas input of the connector may be connected to an exhaust and / or output of a first machine unit, which may be a gas generator, combustion engine exhaust, a gas combustor, or a (steam) boiler chamber. The gas output of the connector may be connected to a second machine unit, which is typically a power turbine, a steam turbine, or may be a hot air duct system component such as an industrial dryer, or a purge system component. The second machine unit typically drives a third machine unit, which may be an electricity generator, a gas compression unit, or a pumping unit, but may be an alternative driven- component. The first and second machine units, the connector, and optionally also the third machine unit, may be non-limiting parts of a gas turbine arrangement.

[0017] The connector typically has a gas inlet flange, and a gas outlet flange. The inlet flange is typically coupled to the first machine unit, and / or the outlet flange is typically coupled to the second machine unit. The channel's lining portion is typically rigid, and it is preferably rigidly fixed to the connector's inlet flange. The end cuff is typically rigid, and it is preferably rigidly fixed to the connector's outlet flange. The corrugated section, although characteristically flexible, is typically rigidly fixed to the connector's inlet flange, and / or the end cuff. A clearance or gap may be incorporated between the outer diameter of the lining portion, and the minimum inner diameter of the corrugated section. This clearance is preferably sufficient to allow for relative lateral movement between the connector's inlet and outlet flanges during use. Said clearance may be, for example, around 9 mm in length, and it may be between 0.1 mm and 12 mm in length. The lining portion's maximum inservice length is preferably less than the minimum distance between the first machine unit's outlet and the second machine unit's inlet to accommodate maximal longitudinal expansion and contraction of the connector during use. The overall unloaded length of the connector may be between around 300 mm and 700 mm, and is preferably around 525 mm, for example.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising a gas turbine and the connector apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0019] The system may be at least one of a renewable / non-renewable-energy-fuelled electrical power generation system, a hydrocarbon / non-hydrocarbon pumping system, or any system requiring directional flow control of hot gasses, such as an industrial blower / dryer system.

[0020] Preferably the gas output of the connector apparatus is connected to the flow input of the gas turbine.

[0021] Preferred and optional features herein relating to the first aspect of the invention are independently preferred and optional features according to the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa, and are not repeated here for brevity.

[0022] The gas turbine arrangement may be part of a gas-, coal-, nuclear energy-, or biomass energy-fuelled electrical power generation system. The gas turbine arrangement may be part of a gas compression and / or pumping system, such as an industrial and / or high performance gas compression and / or pumping system.

[0023] An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that the system is more durable, tolerating more hot-cold cycles than conventional systems. For example, one thousand cycles a year may be tolerated, where the temperature starts at 20 °C and rises to at least around 600 °C, and typically up to around 675 °C, while the system is in continuous operation.

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing, within a gas turbine arrangement, a highly flexible connector apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 2a is a perspective view of the Fig. 1 apparatus;

[0027] Fig. 2b is a magnified sectional view taken through a boroscope-access assembly within the Fig. 2a apparatus;

[0028] Fig. 2c is a side view of the Fig. 2a apparatus; Fig. 3a is a magnified sectional view through a dual-layered bellows section of the Fig. 2a apparatus;

[0029] Fig. 3b is a further-magnified sectional view through a pressure-monitoring port in the Fig. 3a bellows section; and

[0030] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the Fig. 2a apparatus.

[0031] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a highly flexible connector apparatus 10 within a gas turbine arrangement 28. The gas turbine arrangement 28 comprises an air input 50, an air compressor 51, a fuel input 52, a combustor 53, a first shaft 54, a gas generator turbine 55, a second shaft 56, a power turbine 57, a turbine exhaust 58, and a driven unit 60. The apparatus 10 comprises a dual-layered bellows section 14 constructed from two layers or membranes 40a, 40b of corrugated metal, as shown in Fig. 3b. The use of the two layers 40a, 40b in the bellows section 14 allows for advantages in monitoring and maintaining an effective connection in such an environment, in which high temperatures and continued vibrations are present. The inner membrane layer 40a is formed as a first independent structure, such that if the pressure integrity of said inner layer 40a is compromised, the outer membrane layer 40b will not automatically fail, and this is formed as a second independent structure.

[0032] Fig. 2a is a perspective view of the Fig. 1 apparatus 10. The apparatus 10 has a flow duct or channel 24 extending between the respective first and second fixing ends 16, 12 and defined by numerous sections such as the dual-layered bellows section 14 and a single-layered cuff or outlet sleeve 18 adjacent to the bellows section 14, towards the second fixing end 12.

[0033] A single-layered flow sleeve or lining portion 11 is further provided inside of the dual-layered bellows section 14 as shown. This provides a substantially straight-walled and / or smoothwalled inner surface, in contrast with the uneven surface formed by the corrugations of the dual-layered bellows section 14. The inside of the cuff 18 is also usually substantially smooth-walled.

[0034] The inventor of the present invention has found that this is advantageous because a smoother gas stream through the flow duct 24 as well as through the overall arrangement 28 is facilitated, compared to a more turbulent gas stream which could ensue as a consequence of gas flow across the corrugations of the dual-layered bellows section 14. As shown in Fig. 3b, there is a single pressure-monitoring port 42 formed through the outermost layer 40b of the dual-layered bellows section 14 thus in communication with a cavity or void 46 between the two layers. At the pressure-monitoring port 42 there is welded a pressure-monitoring connection point 15 described in more detail below. An external control valve (not shown) is provided in communication with the pressuremonitoring port 42.

[0035] Returning to Fig. 2a, a flange 17 is constructed at the second fixing end 12 with a plurality of fixing bores 19 spaced concentrically therearound. The flange 17 is manufactured to interface with the second machine unit / power turbine 57. At the first fixing end 16 is constructed a sealing assembly 29. The sealing assembly 29 comprises a high integrity flexible sealing arrangement that secures the first fixing end 16 to the first machine unit / gas generator 55 by means of a quick-connect V-band-type clamp, in combination with a soft seal material, which can accommodate geometrical irregularities of the gas generator 55 tailpipe.

[0036] The seal may comprise a ring with a trapezoidal cross-section constructed from an Inconel wire mesh sock impregnated with graphite and / or it may comprise a material softer than the contact surface(s), being for example the flow output duct (not shown) of the first machine unit and / or the connector flow sleeve 11. The sealing mechanism is preferably a combination of compression and pliability, such that minor relative movements within the arrangement are compensated for by the pliability of the material without compromising the ongoing compression and effectiveness of the seal. The present inventor has noted that the bespoke sealing assembly 29 construction, unintuitively comprising a soft seal, results in a robust, zero gas-leakage connection when coupled to a wider range of machine units than was previously conceivable.

[0037] Fig. 2b is a magnified sectional view through one boroscope-access assembly 20 within the Fig. 2a apparatus 10. Five boroscope-access assemblies 20 are radially distributed about the single-layered cuff 18. Each boroscope-access assembly 20 comprises a boroscope through- port 21 which extends through the single-layer of the cuff 18 to the flow duct 24. Each boroscope through-port 21 is paired with a boroscope inspection tube or hollow boss 22 welded to a slotted plate 31, each plate 31 being welded to the inside of the cuff 18. Within each boroscope-access assembly 20, the boroscope inspection tube 22 is terminated in an end cap assembly 30, at a distal tube-end 23 of the boroscope inspection tube 22. The end cap assembly 30 comprises a removable blind cap 32, held normally-closed by a V-clamp mechanism 34, comprising a swing bolt and locking nut.

[0038] Additionally, within each boroscope-access assembly 20, the boroscope inspection tube 22 encounters the cuff 18 at a proximal tube-end 25 of the boroscope inspection tube 22.

[0039] Fig. 2c is a side view of the Fig. 2a apparatus 10. Four of the boroscope-access assemblies 20 are downstream-oriented boroscope-access assemblies 20a (of which four, only 20a' and 20a" are shown in this figure). The remaining boroscope-access assembly 20b is an upstream-oriented boroscope-access assembly.

[0040] With reference to Figs. 2a to 2c, each downstream-oriented boroscope-access assembly 20a comprises a boroscope inspection tube 22 which is so provided as to slant towards the second fixing end 12 of the apparatus 10, such that the proximal tube-end 25 is located closer to the second fixing end 12 than is the distal tube-end 23. The upstream-oriented boroscope-access assembly 20b comprises a boroscope inspection tube 22 which is so provided as to slant towards the first fixing end 16 of the apparatus 10, such that the proximal tube-end 25 is located closer to the first fixing end 16 than is the distal tube-end 23.

[0041] Fig. 3a is a magnified sectional view through the dual-layered bellows section 14 of the Fig. 2a apparatus 10.

[0042] A single pressure-monitoring connection point 15 is provided at the external surface 14a of the dual-layered bellows section 14. The directions in which lie the respective first and second fixing ends 16, 12 of the apparatus 10 are indicated here for reference purposes.

[0043] Fig. 3b is a further-magnified sectional view through the pressure-monitoring port 42 of the pressure-monitoring connection point 15 in the Fig. 3a dual-layered bellows section 14. The dual-layered bellows section 14 comprises a corrugated inner membrane layer 40a and a corrugated outer membrane layer 40b defining a small bellows cavity 46 therebetween. The bellows cavity 46 is thus defined along the length of the inner and outer membrane layers 40a, 40b of the dual-layered bellows section 14. The pressure-monitoring port 42 is formed through the outer membrane layer 40b of the dual-layered bellows section 14 and thus communicates with said cavity 46 (in contrast to each boroscope-access assembly 20, which extends into the flow duct 24). A woven stainless-steel, or bronze alloy, mesh filler 44 is situated in the bellows cavity 46 between the two membranes.

[0044] In one embodiment, the first fixing end 16 is operably connected to an upstream combustor unit (such as 53 shown in Fig. 1), such that the apparatus 10 channels a fast flow of very hot gas along the flow duct 24, towards the second fixing end 12. The second fixing end 12 is operably connected to a downstream power turbine unit (such as 57 shown in Fig. 1), such that the kinetic energy of the gaseous flow along the flow duct 24 is transformed into rotational energy upon interaction with the turbine blades, and this is used to drive an electrical generator, or other driven piece of equipment depending on the application of the system, such as a pumping system, a hot air / steam ducting system, and so on. The media flow moves from a connector inlet defined at the first fixing end 16, through the flow duct 24, to exit the apparatus 10 at a connector outlet defined at the second fixing end 12.

[0045] A pressure measurement device (not shown) can be connected to the pressure monitoring connection point 15. In so doing, the entire bellows cavity 46 is brought into fluid communication with the pressure measurement device via the pressure-monitoring port 42.

[0046] Through continued use in said specific manner, the components within the overall gas turbine arrangement accumulate a degree of mechanically- and thermally-induced wear, especially the corrugated bellows section which expands and contracts with the temperature fluctuations in use and out of use. Therefore, it is possible, however unlikely, that one or more components in fluid communication with the gas passing through the flow duct 24 within the apparatus 10 will fail between planned service outages. Thus, the inner membrane layer 40a is formed as a first independent structure, such that if the pressure integrity of said inner layer 40a is compromised, the outer membrane layer 40b will not automatically fail, and this is formed as a second independent structure.

[0047] In use, the plates 31 distribute mechanical stress away from the cuff 18, the latter being a main flow duct 24 component. During a planned process of downstream monitoring, whilst electricity generation (or other system functionality) has been paused or otherwise halted, one or more of the downstream- oriented boroscope-access assemblies 20a is opened at its distal tube-end 23 and a boroscope is fed therethrough, into the flow duct 24. Insodoing, the boroscope will be guided by the slant of the boroscope inspection tube 22 towards the second fixing end 12 and towards (for example) the downstream power turbine unit 57 of the gas turbine arrangement 28.

[0048] During a planned process of upstream monitoring, whilst electricity generation (or other system functionality) has been paused or otherwise halted, the upstream-oriented boroscope-access assembly 20b is opened at its distal tube-end 23 and a boroscope is fed therethrough, into the flow duct 24. Insodoing, the boroscope will be guided by the slant of the boroscope inspection tube 22 towards the first fixing end 16 and towards (for example) the upstream combustor or gas generator unit 55 of the gas turbine arrangement 28.

[0049] In use, the mesh 44 being of a woven construction helps to ensure continued availability of gaseous flow paths across numerous pockets, thus maintaining instead of restricting flow across the cavity 46 between membrane layers 40a, 40b.

[0050] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the Fig. 2a apparatus 10.

[0051] During the assembly process, weld bands 13a, 13b, and 13c will be formed to seal around the external surface 14a of the dual-layered bellows section 14, as shown. Insodoing, the pressure integrity of the apparatus 10 is enhanced.

[0052] The inner and outer membrane layers 40a, 40b of the bellows section 14 are each formed of Inconel 625 and have a typical thickness of 0.25 mm to 0.9 mm depending on the application, and an example thickness of 0.5 mm, as correct to one decimal place.

[0053] If the inner membrane layer 40a does unexpectedly lose integrity during use, then, advantageously, the gas turbine arrangement need not be shut off abruptly, potentially avoiding an acute functionality outage within the overall system. Any internal pressure leak which impinges on the outer membrane layer 40b of the bellows section 14 of the apparatus 10 can readily be diagnosed during an episode of pressure monitoring as described above. Any failed component(s) can subsequently be conveniently repaired during a planned maintenance phase, without the necessity of an emergency shutdown and / or urgent replacement operation.

[0054] Pressure monitoring and / or boroscope inspection processes can be deployed as part of a routine maintenance itinerary or can be carried out responsively with the intent to diagnose any suspected structural issues at the upstream machine unit, and / or at the downstream machine unit, and / or inside the apparatus 10 itself.

[0055] The driven unit 60, as shown in Fig. 1, may comprise, but is not limited to, one of a generator and a pump. Preferably, the air compressor 51, combustor 53 and gas generator turbine 55 are all part of a singular machine unit and / or are all interconnected / formed as a unitary piece.

[0056] In manufacture, two sheets of material, which will respectively form the external and inner layers of the tube, are shaped and then joined to form two structurally independent tubulars. These tubulars are then concentrically paired such that the inner layer of material is circumferentially surrounded by the external layer of material. Each corrugation is then typically rolled simultaneously into the external and internal layers, one after the other, until a desired number of corrugations have been formed, such as a number of corrugations from 3 to 18, preferably from 4 to 6, and optimally 5, for example.

[0057] Also in manufacture, each plate 31 is secured to an interfacing boroscope inspection tube 22 by welding. Once a tube 22 / plate 31 pair has been so assembled, it is passed through the internal diameter of the cuff 18, and the tube 22 is passed through a through-port 21 therein, after which the plate 31 is welded to the inner wall thereof. Advantageously, this securing method facilitates joining each tube 22 to the cuff 18 precisely at the desired orientation. The plates 31 distribute mechanical stress away from the cuff 18 during welding thereto, the latter being a main flow duct 24 component.

[0058] An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is providing a more robust system without consequentially endangering the pressure integrity of the system, and without an unacceptable risk of leaking hot gas into the atmosphere surrounding the mechanical units.

Claims

Claims1 . A connector apparatus suitable for use between a gas generator and a turbine, comprising: a gas input; a gas output; a tube defining a channel therethrough between the gas input and gas output; the tube including a corrugated section to allow for thermal expansion and contraction; wherein at least a portion of the tube is formed from two layers of corrugated material.

2. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a void is defined between the two layers of corrugated material.

3. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one port is provided in an external layer of the corrugated material to provide access to said void.

4. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a ported tap is provided over the external layer of the corrugated material, in communication with said port, said ported tap and / or port and / or void usually being suitable for pressure integrity monitoring.

5. The connector apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the tube between the gas input and gas output is straight-walled.

6. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said straight-walled portion of the tube defines at least part of the channel.

7. The connector apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the tube between the gas input and gas output is single-layered.

8. The connector apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one through-port is provided which extends from an outside of the tube to an inside of the tube.

9. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 8 when dependent on any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the at least one through-port is provided through the straight-walled portion and / or the single-layered portion of the tube.

10. The connector apparatus as claimed in either of claims 8 or 9, wherein the at least one through-port extends from the outside of the tube to the inside of the tube at a nonperpendicular angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube.11 . The connector apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein one of the at least one through-ports extends from the outside of the tube to the inside of the tube at a first angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube, and at least another of the through- ports extends from the outside of the tube to the inside of the tube at a second angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube, said first and second angles being different from one another by at least 45 degrees.

12. The connector apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the corrugations of the corrugated section permit longitudinal expansion and contraction and / or lateral movement, between the gas input and the gas output.

13. The connector apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or both of the layers of corrugated material have a thickness in the range of 0.25 mm to 0.90 mm.

14. The connector apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an intermediate layer is provided between the two layers of corrugated material.

15. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a softer material than one or both of the layers of corrugated material.

16. The connector apparatus as claimed in either of claims 14 or 15, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a woven material.

17. The connector apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the intermediate layer is non-load-bearing.

18. The connector apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the corrugated section is lined with a sleeve comprising a structurally independent layer of material.

19. The connector apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the sleeve is rigid.

20. The connector apparatus as claimed in either claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the corrugated section is rigidly fixed to at least a part of the sleeve.21 . The connector apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein a clearance is defined between the outermost diameter of the sleeve, and the innermost diameter of the corrugated section.

22. A system comprising a gas turbine and the connector apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connector apparatus is connected to the gas turbine.

23. The system as claimed in claim 22, comprising at least one of a renewable / non- renewable-energy-fuelled electrical power generation system, a hydrocarbon / non- hydrocarbon pumping or compression system, and / or an industrial blower / dryer system.

24. The system as claimed in either of claims 22 or 23, wherein the gas input of the connector is connected to an outlet of a first machine unit.

25. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first machine unit is a gas generator.

26. The system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the gas output of the connector is connected to an inlet of the gas turbine.

27. The system as claimed in claim 26 when dependent on either claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the length of a lining portion of the tube is less than the minimum operating distance between the outlet of the first machine unit and the inlet of the gas turbine.

28. The system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 27, further comprising at least one of a generator and / or a pump.

29. A method of using the system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 28, comprising at least one thousand temperature cycles between ambient temperature and at least 600 °C.

30. A method of using the system as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 28, comprising monitoring the pressure integrity of the connector via at least the void, normally whilst the connector channels a fluid flow between the first machine unit and the gas turbine.

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