Set of tubes comprising improved retention system

Abstract

A set of tubes including an improved retention system. The invention relates to a set of tubes, comprising: two tubes (102a-102b); a sleeve (104) for each tube into which the tube is fitted; a clamping collar (106a-106b) arranged around the sleeve; and an anchoring element (108a-108b) fixed to the tube and comprising a first fastening means (110a-110b) for each clamping collar; a retaining element (112a-112b) fixed to the clamping collar and having a through channel; and a tether (116) passing through the through channel and having at each end a second fastening means (118a-118b) cooperating with the first fastening means to fasten each end of the tether to the anchoring element. By this arrangement, even if the clamping collar breaks, the clamping collar is still attached by the tether, which prevents the clamping collar from damaging other elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a set of tubes comprising two tubes and an improved retaining system. Background Art

[0002] Tubes are installed in a variety of different devices, in particular in transport vehicles, more particularly in aircraft. For example, these tubes are used to distribute conditioned air between a number of different parts of the device.

[0003] In order to cover large lengths, it is sometimes necessary to butt the tubes one after the other.

[0004] Figure 4 A set of tubes 400 from the prior art is shown in cross-section. This set of tubes 400 comprises: a first tube 402a and a second tube 402b, which extend to each other at their ends; and a sleeve 404, which has a first end and a second end, into which one end of the first tube 402a fits, and into which one end of the second tube 402b fits.

[0005] In order to clamp the sleeve 404 onto each tube 402a - 402b , the set of tubes 400 comprises, for each tube 402a - 402b , a clamping collar 406a - 406b , which is arranged around the sleeve 404 and clamps the sleeve 404 onto the tube 402a - 402b in question.

[0006] Although this mounting is satisfactory, when the tubes 402a-402b have a large diameter, it may happen that the clamping collars 406a-406b are positioned obliquely with respect to the diameter of the tube, here the first tube 402a.

[0007] After the vibration, the inclined clamping collar 406a may move and in particular straighten upwards, which causes the sleeve 404 to loosen from the first tube 402a. As a result of the vibration, the clamping collar 406a that has become loose may break, with the risk of damaging external components when it breaks away.

[0008] It is therefore necessary to find an arrangement which ensures that the clamping collar remains in place even in the event of breakage. Summary of the invention

[0009] One object of the present invention is to propose a set of tubes comprising a system for retaining a clamping collar.

[0010] Accordingly, a set of pipes is proposed, which includes:

[0011] - a first tube and a second tube extending towards each other,

[0012] a sleeve having a first end into which one end of the first tube fits and a second end into which one end of the second tube fits,

[0013] - a clamping collar for each tube, which is arranged around the sleeve and clamps the sleeve on said tube,

[0014] - an anchoring element for each tube, fixed to the corresponding tube and comprising first fastening means,

[0015] - a retaining element for each clamping collar, which retaining element is fixed to said clamping collar and has a through-going passage, and

[0016] - a tether for the pair of first fastening means and the pair of retaining elements, the tether passing through the through-channel of the two retaining elements and having at each end a second fastening means cooperating with the first fastening means in order to fasten each end of the tether to the anchoring element.

[0017] With this arrangement, even if the clamping collar breaks, the clamping collar is still attached by the tether, which prevents the clamping collar from damaging other components.

[0018] Advantageously, each anchoring element comprises a plurality of first fastening means, each first fastening means of one anchoring element being associated with a corresponding first fastening means of another anchoring element, the set of tubes comprising for each pair of first fastening means thus associated and for each clamping collar a retaining element fixed to said clamping collar and having a through passage, and the set of tubes comprising for each pair of first fastening means thus associated a tether passing through the through passages of said two retaining elements and having at each end a second fastening means cooperating with a corresponding first fastening tool of the pair of first fastening means thus associated.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment, each anchoring element takes the form of a ring that is fitted and tightened around the corresponding tube.

[0020] Advantageously, the ring is split.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment, each anchoring element takes the form of a plate.

[0022] Advantageously, each first fastening means takes the form of a bore into which the end of the tether is inserted.

[0023] Advantageously, each second fastening means takes the form of an element fixed to the end of the tether and arranged on the other side of the drilled hole relative to the retaining element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The above-mentioned features of the present invention, as well as other features, will become more apparent upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, which description is given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a set of tubes according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0026] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a retaining element used in a set of tubes according to the invention,

[0027] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a set of tubes according to a second embodiment of the invention, and

[0028] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a set of tubes from the prior art is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1 A set of tubes 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown, and Figure 3 A set of tubes 300 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0030] As in the case of the prior art, this set of tubes 100, 300 includes: a first tube 102a and a second tube 102b, which extend to each other at their ends; and a sleeve 104, which has a first end and a second end, one end of the first tube 102a is assembled into the first end, and one end of the second tube 102b is assembled into the second end.

[0031] In order to fasten the sleeve 104 to the tubes 102a-102b, the set of tubes 100, 300 comprises for each tube 102a-102b a clamping collar 106a-106b which is arranged around the sleeve 104 and which clamps the sleeve 104 on the tube 102a-102b in question, in particular by deforming the sleeve 104.

[0032] As in the prior art, a clamping collar 106a is arranged around the end of the first tube 102a located in the sleeve 104 and a clamping collar 106b is arranged around the end of the second tube 102b located in the sleeve 104 .

[0033] The set of tubes 100, 300 comprises for each tube 102a-102b an anchoring element 108a-108b, 308a-308b, which has a different form in the two embodiments. Each anchoring element 108a-108b, 308a-308b is fixed to the tube 102a-102b in question and comprises a first fastening means 110a-110b, 310a-310b.

[0034] The set of tubes 100, 300 includes a retaining element 112a-112b for each clamping collar 106a-106b, one embodiment of which may be Figure 2 Each retaining element 112a-112b is fixed to the clamping collar 106a-106b in question, for example by adhesive bonding, crimping, etc. Each retaining element 112a-112b has a through passage 202 which passes through the retaining element 112a-112b and is particularly preferably substantially parallel to the axis X common to the tubes 102a-102b.

[0035] This set of tubes 100, 300 comprises a tether 116, typically a flexible tether such as a cable, for the pair of first fastening tools 110a-110b, 310a-310b and the pair of retaining elements 112a-112b. The tether 116 passes through the through passage 202 of the two retaining elements 112a-112b and has a second fastening tool 118a-118b at each end, which cooperates with the first fastening tools 110a-110b, 310a-310b to fasten each end of the tether 116 to the anchoring elements 108a-108b, 308a-308b.

[0036] The first end of the tether 116 thus carries a second fastening tool 118a that cooperates with the first fastening tool 110a, 310a of one anchoring element 108a, 308a, the second end of the tether 116 thus carries a second fastening tool 118b that cooperates with the first fastening tool 110b, 310b of the other anchoring element 108b, 308b, and the tether passes through the two retaining elements 112a-112b between the first fastening tools 110a-110b, 310a-310b.

[0037] With this arrangement, even after one or both clamping collars 106a-106b are broken, the broken collars 106a-106b are still held between the two first tightening tools 110a-110b, 310a-310b and there is no risk of damaging adjacent components. In addition, the retaining elements 112a-112b make it possible to keep the tether 116 at a distance from the clamping collars 106a-106b, thereby preventing the tether from wearing due to friction with the clamping collars 106a-106b during use.

[0038] In the embodiment described above, there is only one tether 116 , but there may be a plurality of tethers distributed at angles around the axis X. Each tether 116 in turn has a pair of first fastening tools 110a - 110b , 310a - 310b and a pair of retaining elements 112a - 112b .

[0039] exist Figure 1 In the first embodiment of the invention presented, each anchoring element 108a-108b takes the form of a ring 120 that is fitted and fastened around the corresponding tube 102a-102b.

[0040] In this embodiment, there are a plurality of first fastening tools 110a - 110b angularly distributed around the ring 120 , and a plurality of retaining elements 112a - 112b may be placed on each clamping collar 106a - 106b and ultimately on the plurality of tethers 116 .

[0041] During the first installation of the tubes 102a - 102b , placement of the ring 120 is easier because the ring 120 can be fastened directly during the manufacture of the tubes 102a - 102b .

[0042] To help clamp the ring 120 onto the tubes 102a - 102b , the ring 120 may be split at the groove 122 .

[0043] exist Figure 3 In the second embodiment of the invention presented, each anchoring element 308a-308b takes the form of a plate carrying a single first fastening tool 310a-310b.

[0044] This embodiment is more particularly suitable in the case of retrofitting prior art devices, when it is not possible to place the ring 120 without completely disassembling the device.

[0045] exist Figure 3 In the second embodiment of the present invention presented, there is only a pair of plates and a pair of retaining elements 112a-112b and therefore only a single tether 116, but these elements may be added around the tubes 102a-102b.

[0046] The fastening of each anchoring element 108a-108b, 308a-308b may be achieved by any suitable means such as welding, adhesive bonding, riveting, etc.

[0047] Prior to placement of the tether 116, the anchoring elements 108a-108b, 308a-308b are secured to the tubes 102a-102b, and the retaining elements 112a-112b are secured to the clamping collars 106a-106b.

[0048] During a new installation, the ends of the tubes 102a-102b are inserted into the sleeve 104 and the tubes 102a-102b are arranged in such a way that the anchoring elements 108a-108b, 308a-308b, more specifically the first fastening tools 110a-110b, 310a-310b are aligned parallel to the axis X, even slight angular deviations do not interfere with the functioning of the invention.

[0049] The clamping collars 106a-106b are then placed and clamped around the sleeve 104. During placement of the clamping collars, the clamping collars 106a-106b are preferably arranged to align the through passages 202 between the first fastening tools 110a-110b, 310a-310b, even slight angular misalignments will not interfere with the functioning of the invention.

[0050] During retrofitting of existing devices, the anchoring elements 108a-108b, 308a-308b are fastened so as to be aligned parallel to the axis X, even slight angular deviations not interfering with the functioning of the invention. Subsequently, the retaining elements 112a-112b are preferably fastened to the clamping collars 106a-106b so as to align the through passages 202 between the first fastening tools 310a-310b, even slight angular deviations not interfering with the functioning of the invention.

[0051] In various embodiments, the tether 116 is then placed through the two through-passages 202 and each end of the tether is fastened to the first fastening tool 110a - 110b , 310a - 310b by the second fastening tool 118a - 118b in question.

[0052] Furthermore, when the first fastening tools 110a-110b, 310a-310b and the retaining elements 112a-112b are aligned and when the tether 116 is tensioned between the first fastening tools 110a-110b, 310a-310b, this ensures minimal retention of the tubes 102a-102b relative to each other in the event of a breakage of one or more of the clamping collars 106a-106b.

[0053] Typically, where there are a plurality of tethers 116 in the first embodiment of the present invention, each anchoring element 108a-108b includes a plurality of first fastening tools 110a-110b.

[0054] Each first fastening means 110a - 110b of one anchoring element 108a - 108b is associated with a first fastening means 110b - 110a of another anchoring element 108b - 108a , and these fastening means are preferably aligned parallel to the axis X.

[0055] For each pair of first fastening tools 110 a - 110 b thus associated, each clamping collar 106 a - 106 b is equipped with a retaining element 112 a - 112 b which is fixed to said clamping collar 106 a - 106 b and has a through-going passage 202 .

[0056] Finally, the set of tubes 100 comprises a tether 116 for each pair of first fastening tools 110a-110b thus associated, which tether passes through the through-channel 202 of the two retaining elements 112a-112b and which has at each end a second fastening tool 118a-118b which cooperates with the first fastening tool 110a-110b of the pair of first fastening tools thus associated.

[0057] In the various embodiments presented, each first fastening tool 110a - 110b , 310a - 310b takes the form of a bore into which the end of the tether 116 is inserted, but other forms are possible.

[0058] Each second fastening tool 118a-118b is in the form of an element fixed to the end of the tether 116, and each second fastening tool is arranged on the other side of the borehole relative to the retaining element 112a-112b, that is, on the outside of the first fastening tools 110a-110b, 310a-310b. Each second fastening tool 118a-118b can be a knot formed at the end of the tether 116, or a nut-type additional element fastened to the end of the tether 116.

Claims

1. A set of tubes, the set of tubes (100, 300) comprising: - a first tube (102a) and a second tube (102b) extending from each other, a sleeve (104) having a first end portion into which one end portion of the first tube (102a) fits and a second end portion into which one end portion of the second tube (102b) fits, a clamping collar (106a-106b) for each of the first and second tubes, said clamping collar being arranged around said sleeve (104) and clamping said sleeve (104) on the corresponding tube, Characterized in that the group of tubes further comprises: - an anchoring element (108a-108b, 308a-308b) for each tube, said anchoring element being fixed to the corresponding tube and comprising a first fastening means (110a-110b, 310a-310b), a retaining element (112a-112b) for each clamping collar (106a-106b), said retaining element being fixed to said clamping collar (106a-106b) and having a through passage (202), and - a tether (116) for a pair of first fastening tools (110a-110b, 310a-310b) and a pair of retaining elements (112a-112b), the tether passing through a through passage (202) of the two retaining elements (112a-112b) and having a second fastening tool (118a-118b) at each end, the second fastening tool cooperating with the first fastening tool (110a-110b, 310a-310b) in order to fasten each end of the tether (116) to an anchoring element (108a-108b, 308a-308b).

2. A set of tubes according to claim 1, characterized in that Each anchoring element comprises a plurality of first fastening tools, wherein each first fastening tool of one anchoring element is associated with a corresponding first fastening tool of another anchoring element, the set of tubes comprises for each pair of first fastening tools so associated and for each clamping collar (106a-106b) a retaining element (112a-112b), the retaining element being fixed to the clamping collar (106a-106b) and having a through passage (202), and the set of tubes comprises for each pair of first fastening tools so associated a tether (116), the tether passing through the through passages (202) of the two retaining elements (112a-112b) and having at each end a second fastening tool (118a-118b) cooperating with a corresponding first fastening tool of each pair of first fastening tools so associated.

3. A set of tubes according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that Each anchoring element takes the form of a ring (120) which is fitted around the corresponding tube and secured.

4. A set of tubes according to claim 3, characterized in that The ring (120) is split.

5. A set of tubes according to claim 1, characterized in that Each anchoring element is in the form of a plate.

6. A set of tubes according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that Each first fastening tool (110a-110b, 310a-310b) is in the form of a drilled hole into which an end of the tether (116) is inserted.

7. A set of tubes according to claim 6, characterized in that Each second fastening tool (118a-118b) takes the form of an element fixed to an end of the tether (116) and arranged on the other side of the borehole relative to the retaining element (112a-112b).

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