An integrated leak-off system

Abstract

This invention proposes an integrated drain system, comprising: an installation component, a drain box, and a drain pipe assembly. The drain box has at least two spaced-apart oil collection chambers, with an oil passage hole between the two chambers. The top of the oil passage hole communicates with the tops of the two oil collection chambers. The drain box is mounted on the installation component, which covers the two oil collection chambers to achieve a seal. Drained oil flows through the installation component into the drain box. The drain pipe assembly is connected to the oil passage hole. Since the top of the oil passage hole communicates with the tops of the two oil collection chambers, oil can only flow to the oil passage hole when the two chambers are full, ensuring sufficient oil storage. When any one chamber is full, oil overflows into the oil passage hole and ultimately flows into the drain pipe assembly. During draining, the pressure inside the drain pipe assembly is greater than the external pressure, allowing for oil drainage. This drain system has a simple structure, integrating all components and reducing the system's size.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of leakage prevention, and specifically relates to an integrated leakage prevention system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, during the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) startup and shutdown processes, some residual fuel and lubricating oil may remain. To prevent bleed air contamination and the risk of fire in the APU compartment, this residual oil must be drained from the aircraft promptly. Traditional APU drain systems connect the drain point to the aircraft's fuel sump via piping. During flight, the fuel is ejected, while ground maintenance requires manual draining by opening the fuel sump drain valve. This draining method typically requires a certain amount of space in the APU compartment, making it difficult to install a drain system when the APU compartment is small. The fuel sump on the aircraft must accommodate the drain volume for the APU's maximum operating time, often resulting in a large volume. In smaller APU compartments, the fuel sump volume may not meet these requirements. Therefore, the system suffers from the disadvantages of insufficient APU compartment space and difficulties in installing a drain system. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the above problems, this invention proposes an integrated leak-proof system, comprising:

[0004] Install components;

[0005] An oil leak box has at least two spaced-apart oil collection chambers, and an oil passage hole is provided between the at least two oil collection chambers. The top end of the oil passage hole communicates with the top end of the at least two oil collection chambers. The oil leak box is disposed on the mounting assembly, which can cover the at least two oil collection chambers to achieve a seal. The discharged oil can flow into the oil leak box through the mounting assembly.

[0006] The mounting assembly includes a base plate, side plates, and reinforcing ribs. The oil drain box is disposed on the back of the base plate, and the discharged oil can communicate with the oil drain box through the front of the base plate. The side plates are vertically disposed on the base plate, and one side of the reinforcing rib is connected to the base plate, and the other side is connected to the side plate. The mounting assembly also includes pipe joints that direct the discharged oil to at least two spaced-apart pipe joints. The at least two pipe joints are disposed on the front of the base plate and pass through the base plate to communicate with the oil drain box on the back of the base plate.

[0007] A drain pipe assembly is provided, which is connected to the oil passage hole. The drain pipe assembly includes a drain main pipe and an exhaust auxiliary power unit casing. The drain main pipe is connected to the oil passage hole and the exhaust auxiliary power unit casing. When draining oil, the pressure in the drain main pipe is greater than the pressure at the point of connection with the exhaust auxiliary power unit casing, thereby achieving automatic oil draining.

[0008] At least two drain pipes are provided on the mounting assembly and pass through the mounting assembly to communicate with at least two of the oil accumulation chambers.

[0009] Optionally, at least two of the oil accumulation chambers are four, and the oil passage is located between the four oil accumulation chambers and communicates with the top of each of the four oil accumulation chambers.

[0010] Optionally, a first fixing part and a second fixing part are provided along the radial direction of the oil leakage box. The first fixing part and the second fixing part are flush with the top surfaces of at least two oil accumulation chambers, and the oil leakage box is fixed to the mounting assembly by the first fixing part and the second fixing part.

[0011] Optionally, at least two spaced-apart pipe fittings are provided, totaling four, each connected to the oil leakage box.

[0012] Optionally, at least two of the drain pipes may be used to make four drain pipes.

[0013] Optionally, it also includes an auxiliary power unit housing, the mounting assembly being disposed on the outer wall of the auxiliary power unit housing, the auxiliary power unit housing having a drain channel, the drain channel being connected to the oil leakage box.

[0014] The integrated drain system of the present invention has at least two spaced oil collection chambers, with an oil passage between the at least two oil collection chambers. The top of the oil passage is connected to the top of the at least two oil collection chambers, which can store a certain amount of oil. Oil can only flow to the oil passage when any one of the oil collection chambers is full. Since the drain pipe assembly is connected to the oil passage, and the pressure inside the drain pipe assembly is greater than the external pressure during oil drainage, the oil flowing into the drain pipe assembly is automatically discharged under pressure. Furthermore, all components are integrated into one unit, reducing the overall system size and simplifying the system structure.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the structures pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an integrated leak-proof system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the oil leakage box of the integrated leakage drainage system in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the installation components of the integrated leak drainage system in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of an integrated leakage drainage system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0021] In the diagram, 1-installation component, 2-oil leakage box, 21-oil accumulation chamber, 22-oil passage hole, 3-drain pipe assembly, 23-first fixing part, 24-second fixing part, 31-drain main pipe, 32-exhaust auxiliary power unit casing, 12-base plate, 11-side plate, 13-reinforcing rib, 14-pipe joint, 4-drain pipe, 5-auxiliary power unit casing, 25-wire thread sleeve. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the present invention provides an integrated drain system, comprising: an installation assembly 1, an oil drain box 2, and a drain pipe assembly 3. The oil drain box 2 has at least two spaced oil accumulation chambers 21, and an oil passage hole 22 is provided between the at least two oil accumulation chambers 21. The top end of the oil passage hole 22 communicates with the top end of the at least two oil accumulation chambers 21. The oil drain box 2 is disposed on the installation assembly 1, and the installation assembly 1 can cover the at least two oil accumulation chambers 21 to achieve a seal. The drained oil can flow into the oil drain box 2. The drain pipe assembly 3 is connected to the oil passage hole 22. At least two oil collection chambers 21 are sufficient to store enough oil, and oil can only flow to the oil passage 22 when either oil collection chamber 21 is full. Since the drain pipe assembly 3 is connected to the oil passage 22, and the pressure inside the drain pipe assembly 3 is greater than the external pressure during oil drainage, the oil flowing into the drain pipe assembly 3 is automatically discharged under negative pressure. Furthermore, the oil leakage box 2 and the drain pipe assembly 3 are both installed on the mounting assembly 1, that is, all components are integrated into one unit. The mounting assembly 1 can be installed on the APU auxiliary power unit casing without needing to be connected to the aircraft, which reduces the size of the entire system and simplifies the system structure.

[0024] Optionally, at least two oil collection chambers 21 are located in the central area of ​​the oil leakage box 2. It should be noted that when the oil and impurities in the oil flow in, they enter the oil collection chambers 21. Since the oil needs to accumulate to a certain amount before entering the main drain pipe 32 through the oil passage 22, the impurities will have time to settle at the bottom of the oil collection chambers 21. No filter screen is installed inside the oil collection chambers 21 because there is no need to worry about impurities directly entering the oil passage 22. Therefore, no filter screen is needed on the oil passage 22. Different oil collection chambers 21 are connected to different drain points. When the drain volume is abnormal, the oil leakage box 2 can be disassembled to make a preliminary judgment on the abnormal drain point by the remaining oil volume in the oil collection chambers 21. If the oil volume in one of the oil collection chambers 21 is relatively large, it is determined that the oil collection chamber 21 is leaking abnormally, and the oil leakage box 2 is small in size.

[0025] In one embodiment, there are at least two oil collection chambers 21, and four oil passage holes 22 are located between the four oil collection chambers 21 and communicate with the top of each of the four oil collection chambers 21. Optionally, all four oil collection chambers 21 are located in the central region of the oil leakage box 2. The four oil collection chambers 21 are parallel to each other and surround the oil passage holes 22 between the four oil collection chambers 21. An axial groove is formed along the top of each oil collection chamber 21, and each groove communicates with the oil passage hole 22. Each groove is a U-shaped groove, but other shapes of grooves are also possible and are not specifically limited here.

[0026] In one embodiment, a first fixing part 23 and a second fixing part 24 are provided along the radial direction of the oil leakage box 2. The first fixing part 23 and the second fixing part 24 are flush with the top surfaces of at least two oil accumulation chambers 21, and the oil leakage box 2 is fixed to the mounting assembly 1 by the first fixing part 23 and the second fixing part 24. Optionally, the first fixing part 23 and the second fixing part 24 are on the same axis, wherein the first fixing part 23 is provided with a first screw hole and the second fixing part 24 is provided with a second screw hole, and screws are used to fix the oil leakage box 2 to the mounting assembly 1 through the first screw hole and the second screw hole, respectively. The first fixing part 23 and the second fixing part 24 can fix the oil leakage box 2 more stably to the mounting assembly 1, and it is not easy to shake.

[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the drain pipe assembly 3 includes a drain manifold 31 and an exhaust auxiliary power unit casing 32. The drain manifold 31 is connected to the oil passage 22 and the exhaust auxiliary power unit casing 32. The pressure inside the drain manifold 31 is greater than the pressure at the connection point with the exhaust auxiliary power unit casing 32, thereby generating negative pressure to achieve automatic oil drainage. It should be noted that during oil drainage, the APU is in operation. The high-speed airflow generated by the APU is discharged to the atmosphere through the exhaust auxiliary power unit casing 32. The high-speed airflow generates negative pressure at the connection point between the drain manifold 31 and the exhaust auxiliary power unit casing 32. The internal pressure of the drain manifold 31 is greater than the pressure at the connection point, thus squeezing out the liquid inside the drain manifold 31. Therefore, manual venting is not required, achieving automatic venting, i.e., the oil from the oil passage 22 is automatically discharged to the outside through the drain manifold 31. When the APU is not operating, the pressure inside the drain manifold 31 is the same as the external pressure. Furthermore, the discharged oil does not directly enter the oil passage 22, but first accumulates in the oil accumulation chamber 21, where impurities settle to the bottom over time. This method of drainage is highly efficient and allows for real-time drainage during ground operations, reducing maintenance work. Optionally, a wire threaded sleeve 25 is provided at the bottom of the oil leak box 2, and the main drain pipe 31 is fixed to the bottom of the oil leak box 2 with screws, and the main drain pipe 31 is connected to the oil passage 22.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, in one embodiment, the mounting assembly 1 includes a base plate 12, a side plate 11, and reinforcing ribs 13. An oil drain box 2 is disposed on the back of the base plate 12, allowing discharged oil to communicate with the oil drain box 2 through the front of the base plate 12. The side plate 11 is vertically disposed on the base plate 12. One side of the reinforcing rib is connected to the base plate 12, and the other side is connected to the side plate 11. It should be noted that there are two reinforcing ribs 13, respectively disposed at both ends of the base plate 12 and the side plate 11. The reinforcing ribs 13 can be welded to the base plate 12 and the side plate 11, or screwed to them respectively. The reinforcing ribs 13 increase the structural strength between the base plate 12 and the side plate 11. The mounting assembly 1, composed of the above components, has a simple structure and can fix multiple components onto the mounting assembly 1, thereby saving space.

[0029] In one embodiment, the mounting assembly 1 further includes pipe joints 14 spaced apart to direct the discharged oil flow. The at least two pipe joints 14 are disposed on the front side of the base plate 12 and pass through the base plate 12, communicating with the oil drain box 2 on the back side of the base plate 12. It should be noted that the pipe joints 14 allow the discharged oil to flow into the oil collection chamber 21, and each pipe joint 14 corresponds to one oil collection chamber 21, allowing the discharged oil to flow into multiple oil collection chambers 21. The purpose of having multiple chambers is to allow for preliminary identification of the leak point by measuring the amount of oil accumulated in each individual oil collection chamber in case of abnormal leakage. The pipe joints 14 also reinforce the connection strength with the oil collection chambers 21.

[0030] In one embodiment, there are at least two spaced-apart pipe joints 14, totaling four, each connected to the oil leakage box 2. Optionally, the base plate 12 on the mounting assembly 1 has four fixing holes, arranged in pairs parallel to each other, and the four pipe joints 14 are screwed into the four fixing holes respectively. Alternatively, the four pipe joints 14 are welded to the base plate 12, and each pipe joint 14 is connected to an oil accumulation chamber 21, so that the discharged oil flows into multiple oil accumulation chambers 21. The purpose of setting multiple chambers is to preliminarily determine the leak point by the amount of oil accumulated in the independent oil accumulation chambers when there is an abnormality in the leakage.

[0031] In one embodiment, at least two drain pipes 4 are also included. These drain pipes 4 are disposed on the mounting assembly 1 and pass through the mounting assembly 1, communicating with at least two oil collection chambers 21. The drain pipes 4 allow the discharged oil to be guided into the oil collection chambers 21. In fact, the drain pipes 4 are respectively connected to pipe fittings 14 disposed on the mounting assembly 1. The discharged oil first flows through the drain pipes 4 to the pipe fittings 14, and finally flows into the oil collection chambers 21.

[0032] In one embodiment, at least two drain pipes 4 are used instead of four drain pipes 4. It should be noted that the four drain pipes 4 are connected to each other, so that the discharged oil flows into their respective connected oil accumulation chambers 21 without interfering with each other.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, it also includes an auxiliary power unit housing 5. The mounting component 1 is disposed on the outer wall of the auxiliary power unit housing 5. The auxiliary power unit housing 5 has a drain channel, which is connected to the oil drain box 2 through a drain pipe 4. Optionally, depending on the actual situation, the side plate 11 of the mounting component 1 can be mounted on the outer wall of any auxiliary power unit housing, and the integrated component arrangement makes the overall structure of the APU more compact and reduces the space occupation rate.

[0034] It should be noted that this invention has been verified through testing on a certain APU. The test shows that it can safely and reliably drain excess oil during operation. This invention reduces the overall height of the APU by approximately 200mm, reducing the APU's space occupancy rate. It also reduces the number and types of parts in the aircraft, as well as the maintenance workload, improving economic efficiency. Furthermore, it can meet the special requirements of certain aircraft by reducing the number of openings. Traditional APU drain systems require connection to the aircraft; this invention, however, integrates the entire drain mechanism completely onto the APU, making the drain structure more compact.

[0035] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated leak drainage system, characterized in that, include: Install component (1); The oil leakage box (2) has at least two spaced oil accumulation chambers (21), and an oil passage hole (22) is provided between the at least two oil accumulation chambers (21). The top end of the oil passage hole (22) communicates with the top end of the at least two oil accumulation chambers (21). The oil leakage box (2) is disposed on the mounting assembly (1). The mounting assembly (1) can cover the at least two oil accumulation chambers (21) to achieve a seal. The discharged oil can flow into the oil leakage box (2) through the mounting assembly (1). The mounting assembly (1) includes a base plate (12), a side plate (11), and a reinforcing rib (13). The oil leakage box (2) is disposed on the back of the base plate (12). The discharged oil can communicate with the oil leakage box (2) through the front of the base plate (12). The side plate (11) is vertically disposed on the base plate (12). One side of the reinforcing rib (13) is connected to the base plate (12), and the other side is connected to the side plate (11). The mounting assembly (1) also includes a pipe joint (14) that directs the discharged oil to at least two spaced pipe joints. At least two pipe joints (14) are disposed on the front of the base plate (12) and pass through the base plate (12) to communicate with the oil leakage box (2) on the back of the base plate (12). The drain pipe assembly (3) is connected to the oil passage (22); the drain pipe assembly (3) includes a drain main pipe (31) and an exhaust auxiliary power unit casing (32). The drain main pipe (31) is connected to the oil passage (22) and the drain main pipe (31) is connected to the exhaust auxiliary power unit casing (32). When draining oil, the pressure in the drain main pipe (31) is greater than the pressure at the point of connection with the exhaust auxiliary power unit casing (32) to achieve automatic oil draining. At least two drain pipes (4) are provided on the mounting assembly (1) and pass through the mounting assembly (1) to communicate with at least two of the oil accumulation chambers (21).

2. The integrated leak-proof system according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are at least two oil accumulation chambers (21) and four oil passage holes (22) located between the four oil accumulation chambers (21) and connected to the top of the four oil accumulation chambers (21) respectively.

3. The integrated leak-proof system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first fixing part (23) and a second fixing part (24) are provided along the radial direction of the oil leakage box (2). The first fixing part (23) and the second fixing part (24) are flush with the top surfaces of at least two oil accumulation chambers (21). The oil leakage box (2) is fixed to the mounting assembly (1) by the first fixing part (23) and the second fixing part (24).

4. The integrated leak drainage system according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are at least two spaced-apart pipe joints (14), which are four in total and are connected to the oil leakage box (2) respectively.

5. The integrated leak-proof system according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least two of the drain pipes (4) constitute four drain pipes (4).

6. The integrated leak-proof system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an auxiliary power unit housing (5), the mounting component (1) is disposed on the outer wall of the auxiliary power unit housing (5), the auxiliary power unit housing (5) has a drain channel, the drain channel is connected to the oil leakage box (2).

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