Pipe connection protection device

Abstract

A pipe connection protection device comprises a body having a housing with a first connection port, a second connection port opposite the first connection port, and a channel communicating therebetween, one of the first and second connection ports for a pipe of a pipe system to pass therethrough into the channel, and the other for the pipe to extend out of the channel or to be connected to a pipe fitting; the device further comprises a display member and a collection chamber disposed in the body and in fluid communication with the channel for collecting liquid in the channel, the display member being mounted at the housing and in fluid communication with the collection chamber and configured to display the condition of the liquid in the collection chamber. The device visualizes the condition of liquid leakage of the covered pipe or the connection part of the pipe and the fitting, and collects the liquid leakage, ensuring the safety of equipment and structure. A pipe system having the aforementioned pipe connection protection device and a civil aircraft having the aforementioned pipe connection protection device are also proposed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a pipe connection protection device for a pipe system, in particular, to a pipe connection protection device for an aircraft pipe system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In various pipe systems, for example, in an aircraft pipe system carried by a civil aircraft, a liquid leakage event of the pipe system can occur. It is very important to find the location of the liquid leakage event in time and to handle the liquid leakage and the liquid leakage site for the normal operation of the civil aircraft.

[0003] For example, if the pipe joint of the hydraulic pipe on the aircraft is broken due to wear at the crimping position, liquid leakage will occur. At this time, the hydraulic oil leaked from the hydraulic pipe will drop to contaminate the electrical equipment below the pipe joint, causing a safety hazard. Generally, the repair process for the leakage event of the pipe system is relatively complicated and time-consuming. This will cause the aircraft with the pipe system having the leakage event to be out of operation for a long time. This will cause direct economic losses to the airline.

[0004] Currently, the following solutions have been proposed for detecting whether the fluid transmission pipe on the aircraft has a leakage:

[0005] From US 8967185 B2 (publication date: March 3, 2015), a pipe joint cover for a pipe leak detection system is known. The first part of the pipe joint cover has a manifold and is fixed on a circumferential cutout of a pipe insulation or on a pipe joint connecting pipe sections, thereby forming a reservoir for hot air that has leaked from the pipe or the pipe joint, and a pipe is defined in the manifold in communication with the hot air reservoir. The second part of the cover is used to fix a thermocouple to the manifold at the end of the pipe, so that the hot air from the hot air reservoir can directly hit the thermocouple. A flow control mechanism is also included in the body of the manifold to prevent false alarms caused by nominal leakage due to normal operation of the pipe system. The pipe joint cover is mainly used for detecting whether the insulated pipe carrying pressurized hot air has a gas leakage and issuing an alarm, but it is not suitable for a pipe system transporting liquid.

[0006] In addition, for the aircraft pipe that can have a leakage, a container can also be provided to collect the leaked liquid, for example:

[0007] From GB 2576245 A (publication date: 12 February 2020) a clamp pipe joint for connecting a plurality of pipes together is known. In this clamp pipe joint, a leaking liquid can be received in a receiving area formed between an inner pipe and an outer pipe. Furthermore, a vapor can also be received between the area formed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. However, this clamp pipe joint, although enabling the collection and capture of a leaking liquid, is not provided with a direct discharge device. This makes it impossible to discharge the leaking liquid and vapor received in the above-mentioned area without disassembling the clamp, and the clamp pipe joint also does not enable a visual observation of how much space is still available in the above-mentioned receiving area for accommodating liquid and vapor. This results in the use of the clamp pipe joint also requiring, after disassembly, to see whether and how much leaking liquid has been collected in the receiving area. Therefore, the clamp pipe joint does not provide a cabin crew member with a hint of a leakage of the on-board pipe system, and the use of the clamp pipe joint and the discharge of the collected leaking liquid therefrom is cumbersome.

[0008] From CN 209146580 U (publication date: 23 July 2019) a pipe joint leakage protection device is known. The protection device comprises an open structure protection cover and a flow guide pipe, wherein the protection cover is made of a visual material and comprises a water supply pipe interface, a flow guide pipe interface and an opening. The opening is configured as an interactive opening, consisting of an upper half and a lower half that present an interactive overlap at a boundary surface. One end of the flow guide pipe is connected to the flow guide pipe interface and the other end is connected to a cabin liquid discharge port, so as to discharge the leaking liquid to the liquid discharge port. The protection device collects and discharges the leaking liquid of the pipe joint by wrapping an open, interactive and visual flow protection device with liquid collection and discharge function on the pipe joint, thereby avoiding the leaking liquid from dripping onto the electrical equipment located below the pipe and protecting the electrical equipment. The protection device is only applicable to the leakage occurring at the pipe joint in the pipe system and cannot be applied to the connection part of the pipe joint and the pipe. Furthermore, the protection device needs to be matched with a specific water supply pipe and a specific discharge pipe in terms of structure, the manufacturing cost is relatively high, and only the protection cover is made of a visual material, which results in the overall structure of the protection device still being poor in visibility, although the maintenance personnel can observe the leakage.

[0009] From CN 204829100 U (publication date: December 2, 2015) also known is a connecting device for aircraft fuel conduit. The connecting device is used in the case of fuel leakage at the fuel conduit connection of an aircraft. The connecting device comprises a collecting device for connecting a first conduit and a second conduit and for collecting fuel leaking at the conduit joint of the first conduit and the second conduit, and a leakage valve connected to the oil leakage nozzle of the collecting device via a leakage line. The connecting device can collect fuel leaking at the fuel conduit connection in use and, by means of the leakage valve, ensure that fuel does not leak into the aircraft interior or exterior, ensuring aircraft use and flight safety. In addition, when the aircraft is maintained on the ground before flight, by opening the leakage valve to discharge fuel and checking whether the outlet of the leakage valve has oil, the maintenance personnel can determine whether fuel leakage occurs at the fuel conduit connection and can promptly eliminate the relevant fault when fuel leakage is found. However, the connecting device cannot be directly installed on the existing pipeline structure, but must replace the existing conduit joint in the pipeline system as a whole to connect the two ends of the pipeline.

[0010] From CN 102102785 A (publication date: June 22, 2011) also known is a conduit flexible conduit joint oil leakage collecting device for flexible connection of an aircraft fuel conduit. The collecting device comprises a left support sleeve, a spring retainer, a connecting sleeve, a sealing ring, an oil leakage nozzle, a clamp and a right support sleeve, wherein one end of the left support sleeve and one end of the right support sleeve are respectively welded to the aircraft fuel conduit at the left and right ends of the flexible conduit joint, and the other end of the left support sleeve is provided with a stop end, and the other end of the right support sleeve is respectively welded to the aircraft fuel conduit at the left and right ends of the flexible conduit joint, the other end of the left support sleeve is provided with a stop table, the stop table is provided with a sealing groove, the other end of the right support sleeve is provided with a sealing groove, and the outer side of the sealing groove is provided with a right flange for installing the clamp; one end of the connecting sleeve is provided with a clamping groove for installing the spring retainer, and the other end is provided with a left flange for installing the clamp, the connecting sleeve is installed on the left support sleeve and the right support sleeve through the clamp and the spring retainer, and the oil leakage nozzle is welded to the connecting sleeve. The oil leakage collecting device is suitable for the flexible pipeline system on the aircraft, and welding connection processing is required for the flexible hose at both ends, which is relatively cumbersome to operate.

[0011] It can be seen that the solutions currently proposed in the art for achieving the anti-leakage function of the pipeline system and collecting the leakage from the pipeline system in the case of leakage of the pipeline system mainly fall into the following two categories.

[0012] The first type of solution is mainly aimed at the pipeline section of the pipeline system that has already leaked. In the first type of solution, a barrier device is wrapped around the pipeline section outside the pipeline section that has already leaked. The conduit is arranged to lead out of the barrier device and discharge the liquid leaking from the pipeline section to an external collecting container through the conduit.

[0013] Devices employing the first type of approach are typically heavy and require an additional, large-volume collection container for leak collection. However, when using such devices on aircraft piping systems, there may not be sufficient space near the installation location to accommodate such a large-volume collection container. This limits the applicability of this type of approach. Furthermore, this approach itself does not address the leaking section of the piping; it merely collects and drains the leaked liquid, failing to alert maintenance personnel or crew members to the leak.

[0014] The second type of solution primarily targets pipe joints in piping systems that are prone to leakage. In this solution, a specially designed pipe joint with a conduit is used instead of a standard pipe joint. The pipes at both ends of the joint are connected by welding using this specialized joint, thus minimizing the risk of leakage. In the event of a leak, the conduit attached to the specially designed joint collects the leaking fluid.

[0015] The structure of the above solution is only applicable to flexible piping systems, and the pipe joints need to be specially made and welded to the flexible hoses at both ends, making the installation process quite complicated.

[0016] Furthermore, the inventors also noted that neither of the above two types of solutions is applicable to situations where the leak in the piping system is located at the connection between the pipe and the joint.

[0017] Therefore, the art still desires to propose a new pipeline connection structure that can effectively prevent leakage, collect leaked liquid in the event of leakage, and be adaptable to various types of pipeline systems, especially suitable for applications where the space around the onboard pipeline system is narrow and compact. Summary of the Invention

[0018] Based on the above objectives, this invention proposes a pipeline connection protection device for covering pipes or pipe-to-pipe joint connections in a pipeline system, particularly in the onboard pipeline system of a civil aircraft, to collect leaked liquid in the event of a leak and to make the leak visible to maintenance personnel.

[0019] The pipe connection protection device according to the application comprises a body having a housing with a first connection port and an oppositely arranged second connection port arranged at both ends thereof, and a channel communicating the first connection port and the second connection port, and further comprises a display member and a collection chamber, wherein one of the first connection port and the second connection port is for a pipe in a pipe system to pass through the first port into the channel in a liquid-tight manner, and the other of the first port and the second connection port can be for the pipe to extend out of the body from the channel in a liquid-tight manner, or is for the pipe to be connected to a pipe joint in the pipe system in a liquid-tight manner.

[0020] The collection chamber is arranged in the body and is in fluid communication with the channel so as to collect liquid from the channel, when a pipe in the pipe system extending through the channel leaks, the leaked liquid from the leaking site will accumulate in the channel and flow into the collection chamber.

[0021] The display member is mounted at the housing of the body and is in fluid communication with the collection chamber, and is configured to display the volume of liquid in the collection chamber.

[0022] Thus, by means of the pipe connection protection device according to the application, a pipe in a pipe system or a connection between a pipe in a pipe system and a pipe joint can be covered, so that a pipe in a pipe system enters the channel from the first port and extends through the body or is connected to a pipe joint at the second port of the housing in a liquid-tight manner.

[0023] Here, once a corresponding part of the pipe system to which the pipe connection protection device according to the application is applied leaks, i.e. a leak occurs at the middle section of the pipe or at the connection between the pipe and the pipe joint, the leaked liquid will accumulate in the channel through which the pipe passes, and due to the liquid-tight arrangement at the first port and the second port, is forced to flow into the collection chamber in fluid communication with the channel, thereby avoiding the situation that when a leak occurs in the pipe of the pipe system provided with the pipe connection protection device or between the pipe and the pipe joint, the leaked liquid drips onto electrical equipment or structures below the pipe connection protection device, causing pollution to the environment, and even further endangering the safe operation of the equipment or structures.

[0024] Further, the pipe connection protection device according to the present application is further provided with a display member in fluid communication with the collection chamber, so that the maintenance personnel can easily observe and determine whether the connection part or the pipeline of the pipeline system covered with the pipe connection protection device according to the present application has a leakage; if there is a leakage, the maintenance personnel can further know the volume of the liquid that has been leaked through the visual information displayed by the display member, so as to accelerate the speed of the maintenance personnel or other personnel on site to find the leakage part of the pipeline system and to deal with the leakage event as soon as possible.

[0025] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present application, the display member is at least partially made of a transparent material. Preferably, the outermost part of the display member is made of a transparent material. The transparent material is, for example, glass. Alternatively, the display member can also be at least partially made of a translucent material. Preferably, the outermost part of the display member is made of a translucent material. The translucent material is, for example, a specially treated metal. In this way, by selecting a suitable material to construct at least a part of the display member, in particular the outermost part of the display member, the maintenance personnel or other personnel on site can easily visually observe the pipeline leakage state and the leakage volume displayed by the display member, which is relatively simple in structure and low in cost.

[0026] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present application, the display member is configured to have a capillary tube inside. The capillary tube forms a volume inside. The volume is in fluid communication with the collection chamber.

[0027] Exemplarily but not limitingly, the capillary tube is configured to have a diameter of 1 mm.

[0028] In this way, in the pipe connection protection device according to the present application, the display member can display to the maintenance personnel or other personnel on site whether the pipeline system has a leakage and the leakage volume through the capillary tube constructed inside the display member by means of the pressure difference principle, in particular through the liquid contained in the internal volume of the capillary tube combined with the selection of the transparent or translucent material of the outer part of the display member.

[0029] In particular, the maintenance personnel can determine whether the pipeline system needs to be immediately repaired or the leakage event can be temporarily retained according to the liquid level in the display member, in particular the capillary tube.

[0030] Further, in the pipe connection protection device according to the present application, a hole is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the housing of the body. The hole is configured as a through hole and is arranged in fluid communication with the collection chamber. The display member of the pipe connection protection device is inserted through the hole, so as to be mounted on the body of the device and be in fluid communication with the collection chamber, so that the leaked liquid collected in the collection chamber can flow into the internal volume of the display member.

[0031] Thus, by means of the hole, a detachable connection between the display piece and the body of the device is achieved. When the pipe system to which the pipe connection protection device according to the application is applied needs to be overhauled, for example, due to a leakage, or when the collection chamber of the body is about to be filled with the leaked liquid, resulting in no further collection of the leaked liquid, the maintenance personnel or other personnel on site only need to remove the display piece from the through hole so that the through hole is no longer blocked, so that the fluid accumulated in the collection chamber can be discharged to the outside of the body through the through hole. Thus, by means of the pipe connection protection device according to the application, if a leakage occurs at the connection position between the pipe or the pipe and the pipe joint covered by the connection protection device, the maintenance personnel or other personnel on site not only can easily notice the occurrence of the leakage event, but also can collect the leaked liquid of the pipe system, and the collected leaked liquid can be easily discharged to the outside of the body of the device without the need to provide additional structures to the body, so that the pipe connection protection device according to the application has a simple overall structure and a relatively low manufacturing cost.

[0032] Preferably, in the pipe connection protection device according to the application, a liquid-tight connection between the display piece and the body is also achieved, so that the liquid in the body cannot be discharged from the housing without the display piece being removed from the through hole, thereby improving the reliability of the pipe connection protection device according to the application, and avoiding the situation that, once a leakage event occurs in the pipe system and the amount of the leaked liquid is large, the liquid collected in the collection chamber of the housing will overflow through the provided through hole and then drip to the lower side of the body, affecting the operation of the electrical equipment, or affecting the structural safety, or polluting the environment.

[0033] Alternatively, the through hole is configured as a threaded hole, and the display piece is configured to have an extension part with a corresponding thread provided outside, so that the display piece can be detachably connected to the housing of the body of the pipe connection protection device by means of the threaded connection between the display piece and the through hole.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, the housing of the body of the pipe connection protection device according to the application is configured to be composed of a first housing half and a second housing half. The half-shell configuration makes the pipe connection protection device according to the application easier to be installed and covered into the pipe system, in particular, to the middle section of the pipe, or to the connection position between the pipe and the pipe joint.

[0035] Preferably, the first housing half is provided with at least one protrusion at at least one radial end face, and the second housing half is provided with at least one recess at at least one radial end face. The radial end face of the first housing half provided with the at least one protrusion is opposite to the radial end face of the second housing half provided with the at least one recess. When the first housing half and the second housing half are wrapped around the pipeline or the connection of the pipeline and the pipeline joint, the first housing half and the second housing half are engaged to each other by means of the shape matching connection of the at least one protrusion and the at least one recess.

[0036] Therefore, the pipeline connection protection device according to the present application can be wrapped outside the existing pipeline system, especially the position where leakage is prone to occur, by means of the split half shell structure, without the need of additional modification on the design of the existing pipeline or pipeline joint.

[0037] Further, the protrusion and the recess are provided in a mortise and tenon structure, so that when the first housing half and the second housing half are split, the installer or the maintenance personnel can split the first housing half and the second housing half more easily, and the first housing half and the second housing half are guided in position.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the first radial end face of the first housing half is provided with two protrusions, and the second radial end face of the first housing half is provided with two recesses. The first radial end face of the second housing half is provided with two recesses, and the second radial end face of the second housing half is provided with two protrusions. When the first housing half and the second housing half are split, the two protrusions provided at the first radial end face of the first housing half are inserted into the two recesses provided at the first radial end face of the second housing half, and the two protrusions provided at the second radial end face of the second housing half are inserted into the two recesses provided at the second radial end face of the first housing half, so that the first radial end face of the first housing half abuts against the first radial end face of the second housing half, and the second radial end face of the first housing half abuts against the second radial end face of the second housing half.

[0039] By providing the pairs of protrusions and recesses at the two radial end faces of the two housing halves respectively, better positioning guidance is provided for the engagement between the first housing half and the second housing half, and the foolproof setting is also achieved, and the first housing half and the second housing half can be more firmly split to each other.

[0040] Optionally, in the pipe connection protection device according to the present application, a gasket is further interposed between the first housing half and the second housing half for enhancing the liquid tightness at the joint of the two housings after the first housing half and the second housing half are joined together, thereby improving the reliability of the pipe connection protection device according to the present application in use.

[0041] Preferably, the gasket is user customized and designed to fit the shape of the joint of the first housing half and the second housing half. For example, the gasket can be configured with an opening therein for the protrusion located at the radial end face of the first housing half or the second housing half to extend therethrough, thereby further enhancing the liquid tightness at the joint of the first housing half and the second housing half, particularly at the joint of the first housing half and the second housing half, after the first housing half and the second housing half are joined together, by better conformability at the joint of the first housing half and the second housing half.

[0042] Further preferably, the first housing half and the second housing half are fastened to each other by means of the snap portions.

[0043] In particular, in the first housing half, a first snap portion section is provided on the outer circumferential surface near the radial end face of the first housing half, i.e. adjacent to the joint of the first housing half and the second housing half after they are joined together, while in the second housing half, a second snap portion section is provided on the outer circumferential surface near the radial end face of the second housing half, i.e. adjacent to the joint of the first housing half and the second housing half after they are joined together. The first housing half and the second housing half are fastened to each other by means of the engagement of the first snap portion section and the second snap portion section. In this way, the first housing half and the second housing half can be fastened together by means of the snap portions to prevent the first housing half from being detached from the second housing half due to events such as air turbulence during the flight of an aircraft, for example, thereby enhancing the reliability of the pipe connection protection device according to the present application.

[0044] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned channel connecting the first connection port and the second connection port is formed by an internal hollow chamber of the first housing half and the second housing half of the housing constituting the body of the pipe connection protection device according to the present application. In other words, the first housing half and the second housing half are designed in shape to form a hollow chamber inside after they are joined to each other, through which chamber a pipe from a pipe system can extend from one connection port to the other connection port and be connected to a pipe fitting at the other connection port or extend out of the device from the other connection port.

[0045] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present application, a circumferential recess is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the housing of the body of the pipe connection protection device according to the present application. This circumferential recess forms the above-mentioned collection chamber. Thereby, when a leak occurs in the portion of the pipe extending through the passage in the body or at the connection site of the pipe to the pipe joint of the pipe system, the liquid leaking from the leak site first flows into the passage and further accumulates in the circumferential recess due to the recessed recess of the inner circumferential surface of the housing. That is, the leaking liquid is collected into the collection chamber.

[0046] Further, by means of the display member in fluid communication with the collection chamber, it is possible to display to a maintenance person or other person on site that a leak is occurring at the connection site covered by the pipe connection protection device. This enables visualization of the leak event.

[0047] In particular, the above-mentioned circumferential recess can be formed by a first recess and a second recess formed at the inner circumferential surface of the two housing halves of the housing of the body of the pipe connection protection device, respectively. The first recess and the second recess are connected end to end such that the first recess and the second recess are in fluid communication with each other, thereby forming a ring-shaped collection chamber on the inner surface of the housing of the body of the device. This collection chamber can collect and accumulate as much leaking liquid as possible before the inner volume is filled, thereby providing as much volume as possible for the accumulation of the leaking liquid when the maintenance personnel or repair personnel cannot timely perform the repair or leak discharge, avoiding the overflow and dripping of the leaking liquid affecting the normal operation of the electrical equipment and / or affecting the structural safety.

[0048] In one preferred embodiment of the present application, the above-mentioned hole provided on the circumferential surface of the housing of the body of the pipe connection protection device according to the present application is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first housing half, such that the orientation of the through hole is almost orthogonal to the ground when the aircraft is flying or parked on the ground. Preferably, the hole is vertically upwardly open. The hole is in fluid communication with the first recess provided on the inner circumferential surface of the first housing half, such that the display member, preferably the capillary tube of the display member, can be in fluid communication with the collection chamber including the first recess as long as it extends through the hole, thereby enabling the display of the collection of the leaking liquid in the collection chamber to the repair personnel or other user.

[0049] By providing the through hole as described above, the display member can also be oriented almost vertically when installed. This enables the maintenance personnel or user of the pipe connection protection device to conveniently observe the liquid level display in the display member. Furthermore, this orientation of the opening also facilitates the installation and removal of the display member through the hole without the risk of accidental leakage of the liquid in the collection chamber during the removal of the display member, for example, thereby enhancing the safety of the pipe connection protection device according to the present application in terms of the collection of the leaking liquid.

[0050] In one non-limiting embodiment of the application, the pipe connection protection device according to the application is liquid-tightly connected to a first pipe of the pipe system at the first connection port by means of a first sealing gasket and to a pipe connection or is liquid-tightly connected for the pipe to extend out of the second connection port at the second connection port by means of a second sealing gasket and at least one reducing ring.

[0051] In this way, the pipe connection protection device according to the application achieves a cladding of the connection between a pipe and a pipe connection or a cladding of an intermediate section of a pipe in a pipe system.

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, a reducing ring can also be provided at the first connection port in addition to the sealing gasket, if necessary, in order to better match the outer diameter of the pipe extending into the first connection port, to achieve the liquid-tight arrangement at the first connection port.

[0053] In particular, at the first connection port, for example in the case of a body of the pipe connection protection device having a varying diameter, at the port with the smaller diameter, the liquid-tight connection to the first pipe is achieved by means of the sealing gasket, and at the second connection port, for example in the case of a body of the pipe connection protection device having a varying diameter, at the port with the larger diameter, the liquid-tight connection to the pipe connection in the pipe system is achieved better by means of the sealing gasket and at least one reducing ring.

[0054] In particular, at the second connection port, the sealing gasket is located radially innermost and engages the pipe connection, and the at least one reducing ring is used to achieve a matching of the inner diameter of the housing at the second end of the housing of the body of the pipe connection protection device, which is provided with the second connection port, and the outer diameter of the sealing gasket. If necessary, two reducing rings can be used to achieve the transition of the inner diameter described above, in order to meet the requirements of the liquid-tight connection and to ensure the liquid-tight cladding of the pipe connection protection device according to the application.

[0055] Here, the first and second sealing gaskets and the at least one reducing ring described above are standard parts. Therefore, when installing the pipe connection protection device according to the application, existing standard parts can be used to adapt to pipes with different pipe diameters and pipe connections with different diameters in the pipe system. This makes the pipe connection protection device according to the application highly adaptable and has a wide range of application scenarios. In addition, the use of standard parts also makes the manufacturing and use costs of the pipe connection protection device according to the application itself avoid a significant increase due to the need for special customization to adapt to different pipe diameters.

[0056] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present application, the housing of the body of the pipe connection protection device according to the present application has a first section and a second section, the first section comprising a second end portion provided with the second connection port, and the second section comprising a first end portion provided with the first connection port. The first section has a larger radius than the second section.

[0057] Here, the pipe connection protection device according to the present application has the first connection port and the second connection port with different diameters, so that the pipe connection protection device according to the present application can have greater flexibility to adapt to pipes and pipe joints with different diameters, and can correspondingly reasonably select the size and number of the sealing gaskets and the reducing rings used.

[0058] Thus, the present application proposes a pipe connection protection device for a pipe system, which can realize collection and discharge of liquid leakage of a pipe or a connection portion of a pipe and a pipe joint in a wrapped pipe system, and can realize liquid leakage protection of electrical devices and structures around the pipe system, prevent liquid leakage from damaging electrical devices or surrounding structures, and also can avoid safety hazards and environmental pollution caused by liquid leakage.

[0059] The pipe connection protection device according to the present application is convenient to assemble and disassemble, and realizes visualization of liquid leakage events through the display piece.

[0060] The pipe connection protection device according to the present application has strong adaptability to pipes and pipe joints with different diameters, and strong operability.

[0061] According to another aspect of the present application, a pipe system is proposed, which comprises at least one pipe and at least one pipe joint, and the at least one pipe is liquid-tightly connected to the at least one pipe joint by the pipe connection protection device according to any one of the above solutions.

[0062] According to another aspect of the present application, a pipe system is also proposed, which comprises at least one pipe, and a middle section, for example, a section prone to liquid leakage, of the at least one pipe is wrapped by the pipe connection protection device according to any one of the above solutions to be liquid-tightly sealed, so that the pipe extends into the channel from the first connection port of the pipe connection protection device and extends out of the pipe connection protection device from the second connection port.

[0063] The pipe system according to the application covers the connection of the pipe to the pipe fitting or the pipe by means of such a pipe connection protection device, avoids a leak occurring at the connection, and in the event of a leak, can promptly alert the user of the pipe system and collect the leaking liquid at the covered location before the user repairs or inspects it, preventing the leaking liquid from dripping directly and damaging devices or structures located below the pipe system.

[0064] According to a further aspect of the application, a civil aircraft is proposed, having an on-board pipe system having at least a first pipe and a pipe fitting, wherein the first pipe is connected to the pipe fitting in a liquid-tight manner by means of a pipe connection protection device according to any of the above-mentioned solutions.

[0065] According to a further aspect of the application, a civil aircraft is proposed, having an on-board pipe system having at least a first pipe, wherein the first pipe is covered in a liquid-tight manner by means of a pipe connection protection device according to any of the above-mentioned solutions, such that the pipe extends from a first connection port of the pipe connection protection device into the channel and out of the second connection port of the pipe connection protection device.

[0066] By means of the pipe connection protection device arranged for covering the intermediate section of the first pipe or the pipe connection of the first pipe in the on-board pipe system, the civil aircraft according to the application can collect the liquid leaking from the on-board pipe system in the event of a leak in the on-board pipe system by means of the collection chamber arranged in the pipe connection protection device, avoiding the leaking liquid from dripping directly onto electronic devices, electrical equipment and the structure of the fuselage located below the leaking location of the on-board pipe system, thus avoiding damage to the electronic devices, electrical equipment or the structure of the fuselage by the leaking liquid. This can effectively avoid the influence of the pipe leak event on the flight safety of the aircraft, and also avoid the pollution of the on-board environment by the leaking liquid. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0067] The above-mentioned features of the application as well as other features and technical advantages will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings, which are intended to be understood as exemplary and not limiting. Unless otherwise stated, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and can be exaggerated for the sake of clarity. In the drawings:

[0068] Figure 1 a perspective view of a pipe connection protection device according to an embodiment of the application is shown;

[0069] Figure 2 a perspective view of a pipe connection protection device according to an embodiment of the application is shown; Figure 1 a perspective exploded view of the pipe connection protection device shown;

[0070] Figure 3 shows Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of a pipe connection protection device;

[0071] Figure 4 shows Figure 1 a further cross-sectional view of a pipe connection protection device;

[0072] Figure 5 shows a gasket used in a pipe connection protection device according to the present application.

[0073] List of reference signs:

[0074] CC collection chamber

[0075] FC channel

[0076] 100 pipe connection protection device

[0077] 10 housing

[0078] 11 first housing half

[0079] 111 aperture

[0080] 112 first radial protrusion

[0081] 12 second housing half

[0082] 122 second radial protrusion

[0083] 13 first section

[0084] 14 second section

[0085] 21 first connection port

[0086] 22 second connection port

[0087] 31 first sealing grommet

[0088] 32 second sealing grommet

[0089] 41 first reducing ring

[0090] 42 second reducing ring

[0091] 50 display piece

[0092] 51 cavity

[0093] 60 gasket

[0094] 61 first opening

[0095] 62 second opening

[0096] 63 first extension

[0097] 64 Second Extension

[0098] 65. Depression

[0099] 66. Protrusion

[0100] 70 Fastener section

[0101] 71 First buckle section

[0102] 72 Second buckle section

[0103] 80 Positioning Department

[0104] 81 First protrusion

[0105] 82 Second protrusion

[0106] 83 First recess

[0107] 84 Second recessed portion

[0108] 85 Third protrusion

[0109] 86 Fourth protrusion

[0110] 87 Third recess

[0111] 88 Fourth recessed part

[0112] 90 Collection Grooves

[0113] 91 First Groove

[0114] 92. Second groove. Detailed Implementation

[0115] Although the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that this specification is not intended to limit the invention to the described exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, etc., that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0116] For ease of interpretation and precise definition in the appended claims, unless otherwise stated, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” and “outer” are used to describe the features with reference to their positions in the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

[0117] The following is combined with Figures 1 to 5 This describes the pipe connection protection device generally assigned the reference numeral 100 in the attached drawing.

[0118] The pipeline connection protection device 100 can be arranged at a position in the on-board pipeline system of the civil aircraft where a leakage is likely to occur, or at a position in the on-board pipeline system of the civil aircraft where a leakage will affect the surrounding key electrical equipment or the structural safety of the aircraft itself, and covers such pipeline parts.

[0119] As shown in Figure 1 The pipeline connection protection device 100 has a body including a housing 10. The housing 10 is designed to be composed of a housing first half 11 and a housing second half 12. The housing 10 includes a first section 13 having a larger diameter and configured as a cylinder, and a second section 14 extending from a first end of the first section 13 and having a smaller diameter relative to the first section 13.

[0120] The housing 10 is provided with a first connection port 21 at an end of the second section 14. The first connection port 21 is liquid-tightly connected with a first pipeline in the on-board pipeline system through a first sealing gasket 31 optionally arranged therein. By selecting different sizes of the first sealing gasket 31, the first connection port 21 can be liquid-tightly connected with pipelines having different diameters in the on-board pipeline system for the pipelines to extend therethrough.

[0121] The housing 10 is provided with a second connection port 22 at the other end of the first section 13. In the shown embodiment, the second connection port 22 is liquid-tightly connected with a pipeline joint in the on-board pipeline system through a second sealing gasket 32, a first reducing ring 41, and a second reducing ring 42 optionally arranged therein. Here, the second connection port 22 of the body of the pipeline connection protection device 100 is adapted to pipeline joints having different diameters by means of the first reducing ring 41, the second reducing ring 42, and the second sealing gasket 32.

[0122] Here, the sealing gaskets 31, 32 and the reducing rings 41, 42 arranged in the first connection port 21 and the second connection port 22 are determined according to the size of the pipelines or the pipeline joints in the on-board pipeline system where the pipeline connection protection device 100 is applied. They are provided in the form of standard parts as such.

[0123] In particular, if the second connection port 22 of the pipeline connection protection device 100 is connected with a pipeline joint in the on-board pipeline system, the most radially inner reducing ring at the second connection port 22 of the pipeline connection protection device 100, which is the second reducing ring 42 here, has a thread depth matching that of a thread groove of a connecting port of the pipeline joint, thereby ensuring a liquid-tight connection between the second connection port 22 of the pipeline connection protection device 100 and the pipeline joint.

[0124] As shown in Figure 2On the circumferential inner surfaces of the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12, in the illustrated perspective view, a first radial protrusion 112 and a second radial protrusion 122 are provided, respectively, from the circumferential inner surfaces of the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12, in the axial direction, inwardly of the second connection port 22. They each protrude in the radial direction from the circumferential inner surfaces of the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12, towards the central axis of the housing 10. Figure 2 The insertion direction and the screwing direction of the first step ring 41, the second step ring 42, and the second sealing washer 32 are also illustrated in the longitudinal section view in

[0125] In the longitudinal section view in Figure 4 The longitudinal section view in

[0126] As can be seen in the longitudinal section view in Figure 4 The first connection port 21 is in communication with the second connection port 22 via a passage FC formed by the hollow chamber inside the housing 10. Thereby, the passage FC can be passed through by a first pipe of an on-board pipe system via the first connection port 21 or the second connection port 22, so as to reach a pipe fitting connected at the second connection port 22 or the first connection port 21, and to be connected with the second pipe or the pipe fitting.

[0127] Thereby, the first pipe of the on-board pipe system passing through the first connection port 21 can be liquid-tightly connected with the pipe fitting located at the second connection port 22 by means of the pipe connection protection device 100.

[0128] Referring again to Figure 2 and to Figure 3 The first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12 of the housing 10 are guided and positioned in a split manner by means of the positioning portions 80 provided at their respective two radial end faces, and are fastened to each other by means of the snap portions 70 provided at the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12.

[0129] At the first radial end face of the first housing half 11, first and second protrusions 81, 82 are provided, which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 and protrude in the tangential direction from the first radial end face. Opposite the first and second protrusions 81, 82, at the first radial end face of the second housing half 12, first and second recesses 83, 84 are provided, which are also spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10 and recessed in the tangential direction from the first radial end face.

[0130] As can be seen in the longitudinal section view in Figure 2Visible in the middle and on the far side, the second housing half 12 is provided at the second radial end face with third and fourth protrusions 85, 86 which protrude tangentially from the second radial end face in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10.

[0131] Corresponding to the configuration at the second radial end face of the second housing half 12, i.e. for receiving the third and fourth protrusions 85, 86 provided at the second radial end face of the second housing half 12, the first housing half 11 is also provided at the second radial end face, which is located on the far side in the figures, with a third and fourth recess 87, 88. Figure 3 A cross-sectional view is shown in detail, which is obtained by cutting the line along the joint between the first and second housing half 11, 12 and looking upwards, i.e. towards the circumferential inner surface of the first housing half 11. In Figure 3 Visible in the middle and on the far side, the second housing half 12 is provided at the second radial end face with third and fourth protrusions 85, 86 which protrude tangentially from the second radial end face in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10.

[0132] When the first and second housing half 11, 12 are joined to form the housing 10, the first and second protrusions 81, 82 provided at the first radial end face of the first housing half 11 are inserted into the first and second recesses 83, 84 provided at the first radial end face of the second housing half 12, and the third and fourth protrusions 85, 86 provided at the second radial end face of the second housing half 12 are inserted into the third and fourth recesses 87, 88 provided at the second radial end face of the first housing half 11, so that the joining of the first and second housing half 11, 12 is achieved by the shape fit of the recesses and protrusions in the positioning portion 80.

[0133] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 Visible in the middle and on the far side, the second housing half 12 is provided at the second radial end face with third and fourth protrusions 85, 86 which protrude tangentially from the second radial end face in the longitudinal direction of the housing 10. Figure 1 , Figure 2 The other side of the housing 10, which is not shown in the figures, is also similarly provided with another snap portion 70. This other snap portion 70 is also composed of two snap portion segments provided on the circumferential side of the first and second housing half 11, 12, respectively.

[0134] To enhance the liquid sealing of the modular housing 10, a gasket 60 is provided between the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12. The gasket 60 is custom-designed to conform to the shape of the mating surfaces of the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12.

[0135] Figure 5 A perspective view of gasket 60 is shown. (As shown from...) Figure 5 As can be seen, the gasket 60 includes a middle section and a first extension 63 and a second extension 64 extending from both ends of the middle section along the longitudinal direction (i.e., the length direction) of the gasket 60. In the middle section of the gasket 60, there is a protrusion 66 protruding in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and a recessed portion 65. The protrusion 66 is used to be positioned at the latch portion 70 to ensure a liquid-tight connection between the first latch portion 71 and the second latch portion 72; therefore, the shape of the protrusion 66 is adapted to the transverse interface shape of the first latch portion 71 and the second latch portion 72. In the middle section of the gasket 60, the recessed portion 65 is provided on the opposite side of the protrusion 66 to mate with the collection groove 90 formed in the housing 10. A first opening 61 and a second opening 62 are also provided in the middle section of the gasket 60. The openings 61 and 62 are for the protrusions 81, 82 or 85, 86 provided at the radial end faces of the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12 to extend through them.

[0136] The first extension 63 is located radially inward of the gasket 60, i.e., on the same longitudinal side as the recess 65, for a relative seal between the two housing halves 11 and 12 at the first connection port 21 at the second segment 14 of the housing 10 with a smaller radius. The second extension 64 is located radially outward of the gasket 60, i.e., on the same longitudinal side as the protrusion 66, for a relative seal between the two housing halves 11 and 12 at the second connection port 22 at the first segment 13 of the housing 10 with a larger radius.

[0137] Figure 5 The gasket 60 shown is only used at one radial end face where the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12 fit together. In other words, another gasket 60 is also provided at the other radial end face of the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12 opposite to this radial end face, and the two gaskets 60 are similar in shape.

[0138] The first housing half 11 of the housing 10 has a hole 111 on its circumferential surface. The hole 111 is constructed as a threaded through hole. The display 50 is threadedly connected to the first housing half 11 via the hole 111. Figure 2The arrow shows the screwing-in direction when the display piece 50 is mounted to the body of the pipe connection protection device 100. The display piece 50 is configured as a thin columnar body in the illustrated embodiment. The thin columnar body has a hollow volume formed by a cavity 51 arranged inside it. The thin columnar body is configured as a capillary tube with a diameter of 1 mm. The cavity 51 inside the capillary tube is in fluid communication with a leakage collection chamber formed by the collection groove 90 arranged inside the housing 10, so that the display of the amount of leakage of the pipe connection protection device 100 is realized by means of the pressure difference principle. The leakage collection chamber will be further explained below.

[0139] The columnar body of the display piece 50 is made of a translucent material, so that the maintenance personnel can quickly check the volume of the liquid present in the cavity 51 inside it, thereby determining whether a leakage event has occurred at the connection between the pipe and the pipe joint covered by the pipe connection protection device 100, and if a leakage event has occurred, the volume of the liquid currently leaking can be directly seen, so that the visual indication of the leakage event occurring at the connection between the pipe and the pipe joint is realized. The maintenance personnel can also determine whether the pipe system connected by the pipe connection protection device 100 needs to be repaired for a leakage event according to the liquid level in the display piece 50.

[0140] When it is necessary to discharge the leakage collected in the leakage collection chamber of the housing 10, it is only necessary to loosen the threaded connection between the display piece 50 and the first housing half 11, and the display piece 50 can be removed to discharge the leakage in the collection chamber CC through the hole 111.

[0141] In the illustrated embodiment, the hole 111 is configured to have a diameter of 2 mm, and the display piece 50, especially the capillary tube configured therein, is in sealed connection with the hole 111.

[0142] As can be seen in Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the circumferential inner surfaces of the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12, a first groove 91 and a second groove 92 in the shape of a half ring are also respectively arranged. After the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12 are spliced and fastened to each other, the first groove 91 and the second groove 92 are in communication end to end, thereby forming a ring-shaped collection groove 90 extending in the circumferential direction, thereby forming the collection chamber CC for collecting possible leakage in communication with the hole 111.

[0143] In case of a leak between the pipe and the pipe fitting covered by the pipe connection protection device 100, the leaking liquid will accumulate in the channel FC and will further flow into the circumferential groove 90. The circumferential groove 90 is in turn in fluid communication with the cavity 51 in the display 50 due to the communication between the hole 111 provided in the first housing half 11 and the first groove 91, and thus the visual indication of the leak event is achieved by the fact that the display 50 is at least partially constructed from a transparent material, so that the liquid level in the cavity 51 is perceptible or visible to the crew member, the maintenance personnel or other personnel present at the site. Thus, the above-mentioned personnel can observe the occurrence of the leak event and can assess the current scale of the leak.

[0144] The following exemplary illustrates the installation steps and the method of use of the pipe connection protection device 100 in the on-board pipe system.

[0145] 1. Determine the appropriate first sealing washer 31, second sealing washer 32, first reducing ring 41 and second reducing ring 42 according to the pipe diameter of the pipe or the size of the pipe fitting at the two ends of the target position of the pipe system, and ensure that the depth of the thread groove of the pipe fitting end is matched with the thread of the second reducing ring 42 to be fitted when the pipe fitting end connection is involved;

[0146] 2. Cover the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12 on the two sides of the target position of the pipe system, respectively;

[0147] 3. Add the specially designed gasket 60 in the middle of the joint between the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12;

[0148] 4. Guide the fitting of the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12 by means of the positioning part 80;

[0149] 5. Fasten the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12 by means of the buckle part 70;

[0150] 6. At the first connection port 21, install the first sealing washer 31 to achieve a liquid-tight connection with the pipe of the pipe system;

[0151] 7. At the second connection port 22, install the second sealing washer 32, the first reducing ring 41 and the second reducing ring 42 to achieve a liquid-tight connection with the pipe fitting of the pipe system;

[0152] 8. Liquid-tightly connect the display 50 to the body of the pipe connection protection device 100 through the hole 111 of the first housing half 11.

[0153] Thus, the pipe connection protection device 100 is installed around the connection between the first pipe and the pipe joint.

[0154] Method of use:

[0155] 9. If a leak occurs between the pipe and the pipe joint that is covered by the pipe connection protection device 100, the size of the current leak can be determined based on the liquid level shown in the display 50, and it can be determined whether the pipe connection protection device 100 needs to be serviced.

[0156] 10. If a leak occurs and it is determined that the pipe connection protection device 100 needs to be serviced based on the liquid level shown in the display 50, the connection between the display 50 and the housing 10 is loosened, so that the collection chamber CC is in fluid communication with the environment outside the pipe connection protection device 100 through the hole 111, so that the leaking liquid can be discharged through the hole 111.

[0157] Other embodiments

[0158] In the above embodiment, the pipe connection protection device 100 is installed around the connection between the first pipe and the pipe joint in the pipe system, in order to protect the connection from possible leaks.

[0159] In another embodiment, the pipe connection protection device 100 can also be installed around a single pipe, for example the second pipe, for example around a part of the second pipe that is prone to leaking.

[0160] In this embodiment, the first housing half 11 and the second housing half 12 are each installed around the target part of the second pipe from both sides, so that the second pipe extends from the first connection port 21 into the channel FC in the pipe connection protection device 100, and reaches the second connection port 22 via the channel FC, and extends out of the pipe connection protection device 100 from the second connection port 22.

[0161] Thus, if a leak occurs in the target part of the second pipe, the liquid flowing out of this part will also flow into the channel FC, and then into the collection chamber CC. This leak event will also be indicated to the maintenance personnel, maintenance personnel or other personnel present by the display 50 as explained in the previous embodiment.

Claims

1. A pipe connection protection device (100) comprising a body having a housing (10) with a first connection port (21) arranged at a first end, a second connection port (22) arranged at a second end opposite the first end, and a channel (FC) communicating the first connection port (21) and the second connection port (22), characterized in that one of the first connection port (21) and the second connection port (22) is arranged for a pipe in a pipe system to pass therethrough into the channel (FC) in liquid tight manner, while the other of the first connection port (21) and the second connection port (22) is arranged for the pipe to pass out of the channel (FC) in liquid tight manner or for the pipe to be connected in liquid tight manner to a pipe joint in the pipe system, and in that the pipe connection protection device further comprises a display member (50) and a collection chamber (CC), wherein the collection chamber (CC) is formed by a circumferential recess (90) formed on an inner circumferential surface of the housing (10) and configured to be in fluid communication with the channel (FC) for collecting liquid from the channel (FC), wherein the display member (50) is detachably mounted at the housing (10) in fluid communication with the collection chamber (CC) through a hole (111) arranged at an outer circumferential surface of the housing (10) and configured as a through hole, the display member (50) being configured to be able to display a liquid condition in the collection chamber (CC), wherein the display member (50) is configured to have a capillary tube inside, the capillary tube being in fluid communication with the collection chamber (CC) and being made of a transparent material. The housing (10) is composed of a first housing half (11) and a second housing half (12), a radial end face of the first housing half (11) is provided with at least one protrusion, a radial end face of the second housing half (12) is provided with at least one recess, the radial end face of the first housing half (11) and the radial end face of the second housing half (12) are arranged opposite each other, and the first housing half (11) and the second housing half (12) are connected to each other by means of the shape-fit engagement of the at least one protrusion and the at least one recess. the first housing half (11) is provided with a first clasp section (71) on an outer circumferential surface close to the radial end face of the first housing half (11), and the second housing half (12) is provided with a second clasp section (72) on an outer circumferential surface close to the radial end face of the second housing half (12), the first housing half (11) and the second housing half (12) being fastened to each other by means of the first clasp section (71) and the second clasp section (72).

2. The line connection protection device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the channel (FC) is formed by a hollow chamber defined by the first housing half (11) and the second housing half (12) constituting the housing. ​ ​ ​ 3. The line connection protection device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that ​ 4. The line connection protection device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that ​ 5. The line connection protection device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that The circumferential groove (90) is formed by a first groove (91) formed at the first housing half (11) and a second groove (92) formed at the second housing half (12), wherein the first groove (91) and the second groove (92) are in mutual fluid communication.

6. The line connection protection device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that The hole (111) is opened at an outer circumferential surface of the first housing half (11) and is configured to be in fluid communication with the first groove (91).

7. The line connection protection device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that The first connection port (21) is liquid-tightly connected to the pipe by means of a first sealing washer (31), while the second connection port (22) is liquid-tightly connected to a pipe fitting or to the pipe by means of a second sealing washer (32) and at least one reducing ring.

8. The line connection protection device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that The housing (10) has a first section (13) comprising the second end portion and a second section (14) comprising the first end portion, wherein the first section (13) has a larger radius than the second section (14).

9. A piping system, characterized by The pipe system comprises at least one pipe and at least one pipe fitting, wherein the at least one pipe is liquid-tightly connected to the at least one pipe fitting by means of a pipe connection protection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or wherein the at least one pipe enters the channel (FC) through the first connection port (21) and exits the pipe connection protection device (100) through the second connection port (22) of a pipe connection protection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A civil aircraft comprising an on-board pipe system comprising at least a first pipe and a pipe fitting, characterized in that the first pipe is liquid-tightly connected to the pipe fitting by means of a pipe connection protection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or the first pipe enters the channel (FC) through the first connection port (21) and exits the pipe connection protection device (100) through the second connection port (22) of a pipe connection protection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images