Device configured to be mounted on a tank of a turbomachine of an aircraft, oil supply assembly and associated method of use

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupling arranged on the inlet of a tank (12) of an aircraft engine. The coupling comprises a plug (38) between the coupling and the outside, and a "flap" between the coupling and the tank. The coupling cavity (26) between the plug and the flap is set to a negative pressure during flight. When the aircraft returns to the ground, this negative pressure must be counteracted in order to open the plug, which makes the opening operation difficult. The invention proposes counteracting the negative pressure in the cavity of the coupling by means of a lever (48) and enabling the plug to be easily opened with limited force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device configured for mounting on a fuel tank of an aircraft turbine. The invention also relates to a fuel supply assembly including at least one such device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of using such a device. Background Technology

[0002] Known aircraft engines include many components that require lubrication to operate efficiently. Therefore, an engine includes an oil tank that holds oil used to lubricate engine components such as the gearbox. EP 3 399 164 describes such an oil tank.

[0003] To supply fuel to the engine, it is typically poured into the engine's fuel tank via an adapter located at the fuel tank inlet. To ensure proper fluid isolation from the fuel tank, the adapter comprises two seals: a primary seal, called a "plug," between the adapter and its exterior, and a secondary seal, called a "baffle," between the adapter and the fuel tank. The adapter cavity lies between these two seals.

[0004] During flight, the coupling cavity is emptied. When the spacecraft returns to the ground, this vacuum must be eliminated to open the plug, which makes the opening operation difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One object of this invention is to assist in opening the plug of an aircraft turbine oil tank. In particular, the invention proposes to counteract the negative pressure in the coupling cavity and make it possible to easily open the plug with limited force.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is a device configured to be mounted on a fuel tank of an aircraft turbine, the device comprising:

[0007] • A passageway located between the device inlet and the device outlet, the device outlet being configured to connect to the oil tank.

[0008] • A stopper, which is movably mounted on the inlet of the device and is configured to have:

[0009] o Open position, in which fluid can enter the channel through the device inlet; and o Sealed position, in which the plug completely seals the device inlet.

[0010] The device inlet includes a protrusion, and the device includes a lever connected to the plug;

[0011] The lever includes a supporting elbow that can rest on the protrusion and pivot about the protrusion between a protrusion contact position and a raised position;

[0012] When the lever is in the contact position with the protruding part, the plug is in the sealing position.

[0013] When the lever is in the raised position, the stopper is in the unobstructed position; and

[0014] As the lever pivots from the contact position to the lifted position, it moves the stopper from the sealed position to the open position.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the lever can move between a stopped position and a protrusion contact position. When the lever is in the stopped position, the lever is away from the protrusion, and when the lever is in the stopped position, the plug is in the sealing position.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the protrusion includes an orifice, and the plug includes a closing bolt that can enter the orifice to block the plug in a sealing position.

[0017] When the lever is in the stop position, the closing bolt is inserted into the orifice;

[0018] When the lever is in the contact position of the protruding part of the lever, the closing bolt is away from the orifice; and

[0019] The rotation of the lever from its stop position to its protruding contact position is configured to pull the closing bolt out of the orifice.

[0020] In one embodiment, the lever is fixed to the closing bolt via a lever pivot, and the lever can pivot about the lever pivot between a stop position and a protrusion contact position.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the lever includes a short arm and a long arm, the short arm extending between a support elbow and a lever pivot, the short arm having a first length, and the long arm forming a handle and extending from the support elbow at a second length, the second length being at least three times, advantageously five times, greater than the first length between the support elbow and the lever pivot.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the interior of the device is configured to be under negative pressure when the stopper is in the sealed position.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the device includes a filter disposed in a channel between a plug and a device outlet.

[0024] The present invention also relates to an oil supply assembly comprising an oil tank having an oil tank inlet and at least one device as described above, the outlet of which is connected to the oil tank inlet.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a turbine that includes an oil supply assembly as described above.

[0026] The present invention also relates to an aircraft comprising at least one turbine as described above.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a method using the apparatus described above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0028] - Seal the inlet of the device to ensure the plug is in the sealed position;

[0029] -Make the lever support abut against the protrusion;

[0030] - The lever pivots about the protrusion between a protrusion contact position and a protrusion lift position, during which the lever moves the stopper from a sealed position to an open position; and

[0031] - Allow fluid to enter the device through the device inlet.

[0032] The advantages mentioned for the apparatus, with necessary modifications, also apply to the method. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding, in which:

[0034] - Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the fuel tank inlet, wherein the device according to the invention is installed on the fuel tank inlet.

[0035] - Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention, wherein the plug is in the sealing position and the lever is in the stop position.

[0036] - Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention, wherein the plug is in the sealing position, and the lever is in an intermediate position between the stop position and the protrusion contact position.

[0037] - Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention, wherein the plug is in the sealing position, the lever is in the protrusion contact position, and

[0038] - Figure 5 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device according to the invention, wherein the plug is in the open position and the lever is in the raised position. Detailed Implementation

[0039] This invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings, but the invention is not limited to these embodiments or drawings. The described drawings are illustrative only and not restrictive. Furthermore, the described functions can be performed by structures other than those described herein.

[0040] In the context of this document, the terms “first” and “second” are used only to distinguish the individual elements and do not imply any order between these elements.

[0041] In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals.

[0042] Figure 1 An oil supply assembly 10 is shown. The oil supply assembly 10 includes an oil tank 12 and at least one device 14 mounted on the oil tank 12.

[0043] The fuel tank 12 has a fuel tank inlet 18. The device 14 is connected to the fuel tank inlet 18.

[0044] The device 14 according to the invention is in particular a connector mounted on an oil tank. Specifically, the connector is configured to guide oil from an external container holding the oil into the oil tank during pouring.

[0045] Supply component 10 is, for example, a turbine. Such turbines are typically installed on aircraft (e.g., civilian or military aircraft).

[0046] Figure 2 A closed device 14 is shown. Figures 2 to 5 The successive stages of opening the device 14 are shown.

[0047] Device 14 includes device inlet 22, device outlet 24, and a passage 26 located between device inlet 22 and device outlet 24. Device outlet 24 is connected to tank inlet 18.

[0048] The device inlet 22 is, for example, circular. According to one embodiment, the area of ​​the device inlet is between 5 cm². 2 Up to 80cm 2 Between, advantageously, it is basically equal to 20cm 2 .

[0049] The device inlet 22 includes a protrusion 30 projecting from the channel 26. According to... Figures 2 to 5 In the embodiment shown, the protrusion 30 extends substantially parallel to the channel 26 and extends relative to the device inlet 22 in the opposite direction to the device outlet 24.

[0050] Advantageously, the protrusion 30 includes a hole 32 configured to receive a closing bolt 34, as will be described below.

[0051] Advantageously, the device outlet 24 includes a sealing membrane 36 configured to at least partially seal the channel 26. The sealing membrane 36 is intended to seal the device 14 in the event of an undesirable leak around the plug 38. In this case, the sealing membrane 36 is pressed against the outlet of the device 24 by the internal pressure of the tank 12.

[0052] The device 14 also includes a plug 38. The plug 38 is movably mounted on the device inlet 22. The plug 38 is configured to have an unobstructed position 101 (in... Figure 5 (as shown in the image) and sealing position 100 (in the image) Figures 2 to 4 As shown in the diagram, in the open position, fluid (especially air) can enter the channel 26 through the device inlet 22, and in the sealed position, the plug 38 completely seals the device inlet 22.

[0053] Advantageously, the stopper 38 can also be moved to an open position beyond its unobstructed position. In the open position, the stopper 38 is completely removed from the device inlet 22. In one embodiment, the stopper 38 is positioned close to the edge surrounding the device inlet 22 in its open position, such that the stopper 38 remains in the open position without user intervention. The open position of the stopper 38 allows the user to pour oil through the entire cross-section of the device inlet 22.

[0054] According to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the plug 38 includes a closing pin 34. The closing pin 34 is displaceable. According to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the closing pin 34 can move substantially perpendicular to the channel 26. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the closing plug 34 can enter the orifice 32 to block the plug 38 in the plug sealing position 100.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the closing bolt 34 includes a lever pivot 40.

[0056] Advantageously, the stopper 38 includes a seal 42 designed to contact the channel 26 when the stopper 38 is in the sealed position 100. When the stopper 38 is in the sealed position 100, the seal 42 allows the stopper 38 to better isolate the channel 26.

[0057] When the stopper 38 is in the sealed position 100, the interior of the device 14 is under negative pressure during flight. During ascent to high altitude and during the maximum altitude phase of flight, the interior of the device 14 will be under overpressure relative to atmospheric pressure. During descent, the pressure inside the device 14 will remain at the minimum pressure reached at high altitude. Upon return to the ground, the pressure inside the device 14 may, in some cases, be lower than atmospheric pressure, creating a negative pressure that must be overcome when the stopper 38 is opened. According to one embodiment, the pressure inside the device is less than 0.95 bar (when the stopper 38 is in the sealed position 100), or less than 0.92 bar, or even less than 0.9 bar.

[0058] Advantageously, the device 14 includes a filter 44 arranged in a channel 26 between the plug 38 and the device outlet 24. The filter 44 is capable of retaining particles larger than 8 mm (advantageously larger than 6 mm) to prevent particles from passing through the channel 26.

[0059] According to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the filter 44 has a substantially hemispherical shape, with the apex of the filter extending away from the plug 38. This shape is particularly suitable for preventing particles from the device inlet 22 from reaching the device outlet 24.

[0060] The device 14 also includes a lever 48 connected to the stopper 38. According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lever 48 is connected to the stopper 38 via a lever pivot 40.

[0061] Figure 2 The lever 48 is shown in the stop position 200. Figure 4 The lever 48 is shown in the protruding contact position 201 of the lever; Figure 5 The lever 48 is shown in the raised position 202.

[0062] The lever 48 includes a support elbow 52 that can be supported on the protrusion 30. The lever 48 includes a short arm 54 that extends between the support elbow 52 and the lever pivot 40 and has a first length 56.

[0063] Lever 48 has a free lever end 58 opposite to the supporting elbow 52. The free lever end is used by the user to apply force to open the device 14. Lever 48 includes a long arm 60 extending between the supporting elbow 52 and the lever end 58, and has a second length 62. This second length 62 is at least three times, preferably five times, greater than the first length 56 of the short arm 54. In other words, lever 48 has a mechanical advantage greater than 3 (preferably greater than 5).

[0064] Reference Figures 2 to 4 Lever 48 can be in the stop position 200 around lever pivot 40 (in Figure 2 (as shown) and protrusion contact position 201 (in) Figure 4 The lever 48 can pivot between the lever's stop position 200 and the lever's protrusion contact position 201 (one of these intermediate positions is shown in the diagram). Figure 3(As shown in the diagram). When lever 48 is in the stopped position 200, lever 48 (particularly the support elbow 52) is away from protrusion 30. When lever 48 is in the stopped position 200, plug 38 is in the sealed position 100. When lever 48 is in the stopped position 200, closing bolt 34 is inserted into orifice 32. Therefore, the engagement of closing bolt 34 with orifice 32 prevents potential movement of plug 38 from the sealed position 100 to the open position 101.

[0065] Advantageously, device 14 includes a spring (not shown in the figures) configured to hold lever 48 in a stopped position when the pivoting force applied to lever 48 is below a threshold. The spring is located, for example, between stopper 38 and closure bolt 34.

[0066] The rotation of lever 48 from the stop position 200 to the protruding contact position 201 gradually moves the closing bolt 34 out of the orifice 32.

[0067] When lever 48 is in the protrusion contact position 201, lever 48 contacts protrusion 30. According to the embodiment shown in the figure, when lever 48 is in the protrusion contact position 201, support elbow 52 contacts protrusion 30.

[0068] When lever 48 is in the protrusion contact position 201, plug 38 is in the sealing position 100. Therefore, as lever 48 moves between the lever stop position 200 and the lever protrusion contact position 201, plug 38 always remains in the sealing position 100.

[0069] When lever 48 is in the protruding contact position 201, the closing bolt 34 is away from the orifice 32.

[0070] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 After lever 48 contacts protrusion 30, lever 48 can move around protrusion 30 at protrusion contact position 201 (at Figure 4 (as shown) and lift position 202 (in) Figure 5 It pivots between (as shown in the diagram).

[0071] When lever 48 is in the lifted position 202, plug 38 is in the open position 101. When lever 48 pivots from the protrusion contact position 201 to the lifted position 202, lever 48 moves plug 38 from the sealed position 100 to the open position 101.

[0072] The method of using device 14 will now be briefly described.

[0073] First, such as Figure 2As shown, the stopper 38 is in the sealed position 100, while the lever 48 is in the stopped position 200. The closing plug 34 is inserted into the orifice 32. The device inlet 22 is sealed by the stopper 38, so that no fluid can enter or leave the passage 26.

[0074] When the user wishes to move the stopper 38 to the open position 101, the user pivots the lever 48 about the lever pivot 40. The lever 48 passes through an intermediate position before reaching the lever protrusion contact position 201. During this pivoting process of the lever 48 between the lever stop position 200 and the lever protrusion contact position 201, the closing bolt 34 gradually moves out of the orifice 32.

[0075] The resistance during the pivoting process of lever 40 between the stop position 200 and the protrusion contact position 201 is mainly the friction between lever 48 and closing bolt 34 at the lever pivot position 40, and the friction between closing bolt 34 and orifice 32.

[0076] According to an embodiment of device 14 including the spring as described above, the resistance during the process of lever 40 pivoting from the stop position 200 of the lever to the protrusion contact position 201 of the lever also includes a restoring force on lever 48 toward the stop position of the lever.

[0077] Once lever 48 reaches the protrusion contact position 201, the supporting elbow 52 supports against the protrusion 30. To continue pivoting lever 48 from the protrusion contact position 201 to the raised position 202, the user applies force on lever 48 (advantageously on the lever end 58) to counteract resistance. The resistance during the pivoting of lever 48 between the protrusion contact position 201 and the raised position 202 is primarily the vacuum inside device 14 relative to the outside of device 14. The force associated with this negative pressure is greater than the frictional force on lever 48 during the pivoting of lever 40 between the stop position 200 and the protrusion contact position 201. By using lever 48, the force required to open stopper 38 is much less than when opening stopper 38 directly without using lever 48.

[0078] As lever 40 pivots from the protruding contact position 201 to the lifted position 202, lever 48 gradually moves stopper 38 from the sealed position 100 to the unobstructed position 101.

[0079] Once the stopper reaches the open position 101, fluid (especially air) can enter the device 14 through the device inlet 22.

[0080] Advantageously, in order to pour oil through channel 26, the user, for example, continues to control lever 48 from the open position to the open position by pulling lever 48. According to one embodiment, during at least a portion of the pivoting of lever 48 between the open and open positions, lever 48 contacts stop 38.

[0081] In other words, the present invention relates to a connector disposed on the inlet of an aircraft engine fuel tank 12. The connector includes a plug 38 located between the connector and the outside, and a baffle located between the connector and the fuel tank. The connector cavity 26 located between the plug and the baffle is set to negative pressure during flight. When the aircraft returns to the ground, this negative pressure must be countered to open the plug, which makes the opening operation difficult. The present invention proposes to counteract the negative pressure in the connector cavity by means of a lever 48, and to make it possible to open the plug easily with a limited force.

[0082] The invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, which are purely illustrative and should not be considered limiting. In general, the invention is not limited to the examples shown and / or described above. The use of the verbs “comprising,” “including,” “constituting,” or any other variations thereof, and their conjugations, shall in no way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite articles “a,” “an,” or the definite articles “this,” “the,” “the,” to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Reference numerals in the claims do not limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A device (14) configured to be mounted on a fuel tank (12) of an aircraft turbine, said device comprising: • A channel (26) located between the device inlet (22) and the device outlet (24), the device outlet (24) being configured to connect to the tank (12). • A plug (38), which is movably mounted on the inlet (22) of the device and is configured to have: o Open position (101), in which fluid can enter the channel (26) through the device inlet (22), and o Sealed position (100), in which the plug (38) completely seals the inlet (22) of the device; The device is characterized in that the device inlet (22) includes a protrusion (30), and the device (14) includes a lever (48) connected to the plug (38). The lever (48) includes a support elbow (52) that is able to rest on the protrusion (30) and pivot about the protrusion (30) between a protrusion contact position (201) and a raised position (202); When the lever (48) is in the lever protrusion contact position (201), the plug (38) is in the sealing position (100). When the lever (48) is in the raised position (202), the plug (38) is in the unobstructed position (101); and When the lever (48) pivots from the protrusion contact position (201) to the raised position (202), the lever moves the plug (38) from the plug's sealed position (100) to the plug's open position (101).

2. The apparatus (14) according to claim 1, wherein, The lever (48) is movable between the stop position (200) and the protrusion contact position (201). When the lever (48) is in the stop position (200), the lever is away from the protrusion. When the lever (48) is in the stop position (200), the plug (38) is in the sealing position.

3. The apparatus (14) according to claim 2, wherein, The protrusion (30) includes an opening (32), and the plug (38) includes a closing bolt (34) that can enter the opening (32) to block the plug (38) at the sealing position (100) of the plug. When the lever (48) is in the stop position (200), the closing bolt (34) is inserted into the orifice (32); When the lever (48) is in the protruding contact position (201), the closing bolt (34) is away from the orifice (32); and The rotation of the lever (48) from the stop position (200) to the protrusion contact position (201) is configured to pull the closing bolt (34) out of the orifice (32).

4. The apparatus (14) according to claim 3, wherein, The lever (48) is fixed to the closing bolt (34) via a lever pivot (40), and the lever (48) is pivotable about the lever pivot (40) between the stop position (200) and the protrusion contact position (201) of the lever.

5. The apparatus (14) according to claim 4, wherein, The lever (48) includes a short arm (54) and a long arm (60), the short arm extending between the support elbow (52) and the lever pivot (40), the short arm (54) having a first length (56), and the long arm forming a handle and extending from the support elbow (52) at a second length (62), the second length (62) being at least three times greater than the first length (56) between the support elbow (52) and the lever pivot (40).

6. The apparatus (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The interior of the device (14) is configured to be under negative pressure when the plug (38) is in the sealed position (100) of the plug.

7. The device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the device comprising a filter (44) disposed in the channel (26) between the plug (38) and the device outlet (24).

8. The apparatus (14) according to claim 5, wherein, The second length (62) is five times larger than the first length (56) between the support elbow (52) and the lever pivot (40).

9. An oil supply assembly (10) comprising an oil tank (12) having an oil tank inlet (18) and at least one device (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The device outlet (24) is connected to the tank inlet (18).

10. A turbine comprising an oil supply assembly (10) according to claim 9.

11. An aircraft comprising at least one turbine according to claim 10.

12. A method of using the apparatus (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the steps of: - Seal the inlet (22) of the device so that the plug (38) is in the sealed position (100) of the plug. - The lever (48) is supported against the protrusion (30); - The lever (48) is pivoted about the protrusion (30) between the protrusion contact position (201) and the raised position (202), during which the lever (48) moves the plug (38) from the plug's sealed position (100) to the plug's open position (101); and - Allow fluid to enter the device (14) through the device inlet (22).

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