Assembly comprising fuel stringer duct, bulkhead and bulkhead holder

Abstract

An assembly comprising a fuel stringer duct (5), a bulkhead (200) and a bulkhead holder (150) is disclosed. A diaphragm (200) is positioned in the fuel stringer duct (5) to prevent fluid flow along the fuel stringer duct (5). The bulkhead holder (200) includes a holder portion (152) extending through an opening (52) in a wall of the fuel stringer duct (5) and configured to abut the bulkhead (200) to prevent movement of the bulkhead (200) along the fuel stringer duct (5). A method of installing a bulkhead (200) in a fuel stringer duct (5) is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to fuel stringer conduit baffles. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an assembly comprising a fuel stringer conduit, a baffle, and a baffle retainer, the baffle retainer being configured to prevent the baffle from moving along the fuel stringer conduit during use. The present disclosure also relates to a connector for connecting a fluid flow conduit to the fuel stringer conduit, wherein the connector includes an integral baffle retainer, a baffle suitable for use with the baffle retainer, and a method for installing the baffle retainer. Background Art

[0002] It is known to use aircraft wing stringers with a hat-shaped cross-section as conduits to guide fluids, both liquids and gases, along the span of a wing. A stringer is a reinforcing member fixed to the wing skin and extends from the wing root to the wing tip along the span of the wing. The cross-sectional shape of a hat stringer is defined by two spaced-apart, coplanar flanges for attaching the stringer to the reinforced panel, a pair of spaced-apart, upright webs attached to the inner edges of the flanges, and a crown bridging the distal ends of the webs. Such a stringer, when attached to the reinforced panel, forms a closed channel capable of guiding fluids along its length.

[0003] Specifically, for modern civilian airliners that use the space within the wing as a fuel tank, this hat-shaped cross-section stringer can be used to guide fuel, fuel vapor, or air between the fuel tanks along the span of the wing. This stringer has been referred to as a fuel stringer duct (FSD) and is specifically used to discharge air from the central fuel tank and one or more wing boxes to a surge tank typically located in the outboard section of the wing. Air enters the FSD in a given box via a flare or float valve located on the inside and near the top of the box. The flare or float valve is typically connected to the FSD by a section of pipe.

[0004] In cases where only a portion of the FSD is used to transport fluid along the span of the wing, the FSD can be internally divided into a fluid-carrying portion and a non-fluid-carrying portion. The FSD can be internally divided using a diaphragm of the type described in WO 2021 / 122542 A1, which is adapted to prevent fluid from flowing along the duct. The disclosed diaphragm comprises a diaphragm body and a gasket that, during use, seals the gap between the diaphragm body and the inner wall of the FSD. Pressure differentials may exist across the diaphragm within the FSD during use, so it is important to ensure that forces on the diaphragm due to these pressure differentials do not cause movement.

[0005] The present invention seeks to alleviate one or more of the above-mentioned problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved assembly comprising an FSD, a diaphragm and a diaphragm retainer, an improved connector for connecting an FSD to another fluid flow conduit, an improved diaphragm for an FSD, and methods relating thereto. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an assembly comprising a fuel stringer duct (FSD), a partition, and a partition retainer. The partition is positioned in an internal passage of the FSD to prevent fluid from flowing along the internal passage of the FSD, and the partition includes a gasket that seals a gap between the body of the partition and the inner surface of a wall defining the passage of the FSD. The FSD includes a wall formed with a first opening. The partition retainer includes a cover portion and a retainer portion. The cover portion is fastened to the outer surface of the wall of the FSD so that the cover portion covers the first opening in the wall. The retainer portion extends from the cover portion, passes through the first opening in the wall, and extends into the internal passage of the FSD. The retainer portion is configured to abut against the body of the partition to prevent the partition from moving beyond the retainer portion along the internal passage of the FSD.

[0007] The internal passage of the FSD can define a longitudinal axis extending along the passage. The retainer portion can be spaced apart from the body of the separator such that the separator may be able to move before abutting the retainer portion. Thus, the retainer portion may not contact the separator, but may contact and abut the separator if the separator moves along the internal passage of the FSD. For example, the separator may be able to move between approximately 0.25 mm and 5 mm along the internal passage before abutting the retainer portion.

[0008] The internal passageway of the FSD may include a portion configured as a fluid-bearing portion located on a first side of the separator. The internal passageway of the FSD may include a portion configured as a non-fluid-bearing portion located on an opposite, second side of the separator. In some embodiments of the present invention, fluid-bearing portions may be present on both sides of the separator.

[0009] During installation of a diaphragm within an FSD, it is important that the diaphragm is properly aligned to ensure an adequate seal caused by the diaphragm. Furthermore, it is important that the diaphragm is secured within the FSD so that it does not move due to any pressure differentials across the diaphragm during use. The assembly according to the present invention includes a diaphragm retainer that is configured to prevent significant movement of the diaphragm along the FSD during use, but is independent of the diaphragm so that the diaphragm can naturally self-align without being affected by the diaphragm retainer. Consequently, the diaphragm is less likely to become misaligned and the seal compromised.

[0010] The body of the partition may be formed with a recess, and the retainer portion of the partition retainer may be received in the recess. The retainer portion of the partition retainer may be configured to abut against one or more inner walls of the recess to prevent the partition from moving. The inner walls of the recess may be positioned on opposite sides of the retainer portion along the longitudinal axis of the channel. The retainer portion may be sized such that when the retainer portion is centered in the recess, a first gap may exist between the retainer portion and the inner wall of the recess on either side of the second plate portion along the longitudinal axis of the channel. The first gap may be between approximately 0.25 mm and 5 mm. The first gap may be, for example, 0.5 mm. The retainer portion may be sized such that when the retainer portion is centered in the recess, a second gap may exist between the retainer portion and the inner wall of the recess on each lateral side of the retainer portion, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel. The second gap may be between 2 mm and 6 mm. The second gap may be, for example, 4 mm. A third gap may exist between the lower edge of the retainer portion and the inner wall of the recess located below or near the lower edge of the retainer portion. The third gap may be approximately equal to the second gap. The third gap may be between 2 mm and 6 mm. The third gap may be, for example, 4 mm. The retainer portion may be a plate oriented in a plane perpendicular to the axis defined by the channel. The cover portion may be a plate. The retainer portion may extend vertically from the cover portion.

[0011] The diaphragm retainer may include a reinforcement member extending between the cover portion and the retainer portion. The reinforcement member may be a web. The reinforcement member may have a generally triangular shape. The reinforcement member may be oriented in a plane perpendicular to a plane defined by the cover portion and the retainer portion. The reinforcement member may be configured to reinforce the diaphragm retainer to resist movement of the diaphragm in a direction toward the non-fluid carrying portion of the FSD channel.

[0012] The inner dimensions of the recess may be larger than the outer dimensions of the retainer portion. Consequently, a space may exist between the retainer portion and one or more inner walls of the recess. The diaphragm may be movable along the internal passage of the FSD to a position where the retainer portion does not contact any of the inner walls of the recess. This arrangement is advantageous because it reduces the chance that the retainer portion will significantly move the diaphragm during installation of the diaphragm retainer, thereby allowing the diaphragm to remain self-aligned within the passage. Significant movement of the diaphragm may result in a breach of the seal between the diaphragm and the inner walls of the passage.

[0013] A second opening may be present through the thickness of the FSD's wall, and the second opening may be sized to allow the diaphragm to pass through the second opening and into the FSD's internal passageway. The second opening may be sized to allow portions of the diaphragm to pass through the second opening when disassembled, allowing the diaphragm to be assembled within the FSD's passageway. For example, the diaphragm may include a gasket positioned between the first and second body portions, and a fastener configured to draw the first and second body portions together to deform the gasket outward. The second opening may be sized to allow the first and second body portions, the gasket, and the fastener to enter the passageway, allowing the diaphragm to be assembled within the passageway. The second opening may be spaced apart from the first opening along the length of the FSD. The gasket of the diaphragm may be located along the FSD between the first and second openings.

[0014] The bulkhead retainer can form part of a connector for connecting a fluid flow conduit to an FSD. The connector can include a first opening on a first face, a second opening on a second face, and an internal passageway for fluid communication between the first and second openings. The connector can be mounted to an exterior surface of a wall of the FSD such that the first opening of the connector is in fluid communication with the second opening of the FSD. The connector can include a body. The first opening can be located on a first face of the body. The second opening can be located on a second face of the body. The second face can be configured to connect to the fluid flow conduit.

[0015] The connector can be mounted to the FSD using one or more fasteners located on a first side of a retainer portion and one or more fasteners located on an opposite, second side of the retainer portion. The retainer portion can define the position of the bulkhead within the FSD. Thus, positioning fasteners on opposite sides of the retainer portion is equivalent to positioning fasteners on opposite sides of the bulkhead. In this case, at least some of the fasteners used to mount the connector to the FSD will be located within the non-fluid-carrying portion. Placing fasteners within the fluid-carrying portion of the FSD is undesirable because these fasteners increase resistance within the conduit.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a connector for connecting a fluid flow conduit to an FSD. The connector includes a body having a first opening on a first face, a second opening on a second face, and an internal passage for fluid communication between the first and second openings. The connector includes a bulkhead retainer having a cover portion having a face coplanar with the first face of the body and a retainer portion extending from the cover portion. The bulkhead retainer may have any of the features of the bulkhead retainer according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0017] The first face may be configured to be positioned in abutment with a surface of an FSD. The second face may be configured to be positioned in abutment with a fluid flow conduit. The connector may be provided with an aperture for securing the connector to the FSD. The aperture may be provided through the body of the connector. Thus, the connector may be configured to be releasably secured to the FSD.

[0018] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a partition for an FSD, which includes a first body portion, a second body portion, and a gasket located between the first body portion, wherein the partition is configured so that the first body portion and the second body portion can move toward each other to compress the gasket and thereby move the gasket outward relative to the first body portion and the second body portion; and one of the first body portion and the second body portion includes a recess for receiving a partition retainer.

[0019] The spacer may include a fastener. The first body portion may be provided with a hole for the fastener to pass through, and the fastener may be received in a corresponding threaded hole in the second body portion. The fastener may be operable to move the first and second body portions toward each other to compress the gasket, and the second body portion may include a recess.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for installing a bulkhead in an FSD. The method comprises: inserting a retainer portion of a tool through a first opening in a wall of the FSD and into a recess formed in the bulkhead; securing the tool to the wall of the FSD so that the tool is held in a fixed position relative to the FSD; adjusting a gasket of the bulkhead to seal a gap between the bulkhead body and an inner surface of a wall defining an interior passage of the FSD; removing the tool; and installing the bulkhead retainer by inserting the retainer portion of the bulkhead retainer into the recess of the bulkhead and securing a cover portion of the bulkhead retainer to the wall of the FSD so that the cover portion covers the first opening in the wall.

[0021] During the step of inserting the retainer portion of the separator holder into the recess, the separator should not move significantly. The tool may include a cover portion similar to the cover portion of the separator holder. The cover portion of the tool may be secured to the wall of the FSD. The tool may be secured to the wall using fasteners that pass through the tool and fasten into holes formed in the wall of the FSD. The separator holder may be secured to the wall using fasteners that pass through the cover portion of the separator holder and fasten into holes formed in the wall of the FSD. The tool and the separator holder may be secured using the same hole in the wall of the FSD. The inner dimensions of the recess may be larger than the outer dimensions of the retainer portion of the tool. The tool and the separator holder may be similarly sized to ensure that the separator does not move significantly during the step of inserting the retainer portion of the separator holder into the recess. For example, the retainer portions of both the tool and the separator holder may be positioned at the same distance from the holes used to secure the tool and the separator holder to the wall of the FSD.

[0022] The method may comprise inserting parts for forming the diaphragm through the second opening in the wall and into the internal passage of the FSD, and assembling the parts within the internal passage to form the diaphragm.The diaphragm may comprise any of the features of the diaphragm according to the third aspect of the invention.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides an assembly comprising an FSD, a partition and a partition retainer. The partition is positioned in an internal channel of the FSD to prevent fluid from flowing along the internal channel. The partition includes a gasket that seals a gap between the body of the partition and the inner surface of a wall defining the internal channel. The FSD includes a wall formed with an opening. The partition retainer includes a first plate connected to a second plate, the second plate extending perpendicularly from the first plate. The first plate is fixed to the outer surface of the wall of the FSD so that the second plate extends through the opening and extends into a plate receiving portion formed in the body of the partition. Thus, the partition retainer is configured to prevent the partition from moving along the axis of the channel by abutting the second plate against the wall of the partition defining the plate receiving portion, the wall being positioned on opposite sides of the second plate along the axis of the channel.

[0024] The components of the first and fifth aspects of the present invention may form part of a wing. For example, the FSD may be attached to a wing skin. The wing may form part of an aircraft. Accordingly, further aspects of the present invention include a wing incorporating a component according to the first or fifth aspects of the present invention, and an aircraft incorporating such a wing.

[0025] It will of course be understood that features described with respect to one aspect of the invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the invention. For example, the method of the invention may be incorporated with any features described with reference to the apparatus of the invention, and the apparatus of the invention may be incorporated with any features described with reference to the method of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 An assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, the assembly comprising an FSD (shown partially broken away), a bulkhead positioned within the FSD, and a connector connected to the FSD, wherein a bulkhead retainer of the connector is arranged to prevent movement of the bulkhead along the FSD;

[0028] Figure 2 Shown separately Figure 1 connectors for the components shown in ;

[0029] Figure 3 is an exploded view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 Shown is a view from the first side of the partition Figure 1 The separator of the assembly shown in ;

[0031] Figure 5 Viewed from the second side of the partition Figure 4 Exploded view of the partition;

[0032] Figure 6 shows a first stage during the process of installing a diaphragm within an FSD using a tool;

[0033] Figure 7 shows a second stage during the process of installing the diaphragm within the FSD using the tool; and

[0034] Figure 8 A separator retainer according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown ready for installation on a FSD. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Figure 1 An assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. The assembly comprises a connector 100 connected to a hat-section FSD 5 of a composite aircraft structure, and a bulkhead 200 held in place within a channel 56 of the FSD 5 by a bulkhead retainer 150 forming part of the connector 100. The channel 56 has a fluid-bearing portion 57 on one side of the bulkhead 200 in fluid communication with the connector 100, and a non-fluid-bearing portion 58 on the other side of the bulkhead 200. The channel 56 also defines a longitudinal axis Z extending along the length of the channel. Figure 1 , the FSD 5 is shown as being secured to the wing skin 60. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the FSD 5 may be secured to another portion of the wing.

[0036] The connector 100 includes a body 107 having a first opening 109 on a first face 111 of the body 107, a second opening 113 on a second face 115, and an internal passage 117 extending through the body 107 so that fluid can flow between the FSD 5 and the fluid flow conduit through the connector 100 (note that the first opening 109 is located on a first face 111 of the body 107, a second opening 113 on a second face 115, and an internal passage 117 extending through the body 107 to allow fluid to flow between the FSD 5 and the fluid flow conduit). Figures 1 to 3 10). The connector 100 of the presently described embodiment of the invention is an "elbow" connector in which the first opening 109 at the first face 111 is located in a plane oriented at approximately 90 degrees to the second opening 113 on the second face 115. However, it will be understood that the bulkhead retainer may be provided as part of other suitable FSD connectors.

[0037] like Figure 2 , connector 100 includes an integral bulkhead retainer 150. Integral bulkhead retainer 150 includes a cover portion 151 formed from a first plate that extends from body 107 parallel to first face 111 of body 107. A second plate forming a retainer portion 152 of bulkhead retainer 150 extends generally perpendicularly from cover portion 151 in a direction away from first face 111 of body 107. A reinforcement member in the form of a triangular reinforcement web 153 extends between adjacent surfaces of cover portion 151 and retainer portion 152 in a plane perpendicular to the plane defined by cover portion 151 and retainer portion 152.

[0038] The crown 55 of the FSD 5 is provided with a first opening 52 and a second opening 53. The openings 52, 53 may be molded into the FSD 5 during the curing process, or alternatively, the openings 52, 53 may be machined into the cured FSD 5. Figure 3 As best seen in FIG, first opening 52 is configured to receive retainer portion 152 of bulkhead retainer 150 , while second opening 53 is for placement in fluid communication with first opening 109 of connector 100 .

[0039] Partition 200 Figure 4 and Figure 5 The separator 200 includes a first body portion 201, a second body portion 202, and a gasket 203 positioned between the first body portion 201 and the second body portion 202. The separator 200 is sized as follows. Figure 15. The FSD 5 is positioned as shown within the passage 56 of the FSD 5 such that the gasket 203 seals a gap between the first and second body portions 201, 202 and the inner surface 51 of the wall defining the internal passage 56 of the FSD 5. The first body portion 201 is provided with a hole 205 through which a fastener 207 passes, and the fastener 207 is received in a corresponding threaded hole 209 in the second body portion 202. Tightening the fastener 207 draws the first and second body portions 201, 202 toward each other, thereby compressing the gasket 203 and deforming the gasket 203 outwardly into engagement with the inner surface 51 of the wall of the passage 56 to form a seal against the inner surface 51.

[0040] The second body portion 202 of the diaphragm is formed with a recess 210. The recess 210 has an opening 211 located on an edge 213 of the second body portion 202, which opening 211 is located adjacent the first aperture 52 of the FSD 5 in use, such that the retainer portion 152 of the diaphragm retainer 150 extends into the recess 210. The recess is formed with a slot 215 through which the reinforcing web 153 of the diaphragm retainer 150 extends in use.

[0041] When the connector 100 is Figure 1 When mounted on the crown 55 of the FSD 5 as shown, the cover portion 151 of the bulkhead retainer 150 covers the first opening 52, wherein the retainer portion 152 is located in the recess 210 of the bulkhead 200, and the first opening 109 of the connector 100 is in fluid communication with the second opening 53. Figure 3 One or more washers 700 or other sealing members are shown in FIG. 5 to provide a seal between the connector 100 and the crown 55 .

[0042] The pressure differential between the fluid-bearing portion 57 of the passage 56 and the non-fluid-bearing portion 58 of the passage 56 may exert a force on the diaphragm 200 that is substantially sufficient to cause the diaphragm 200 to move along the passage 56 in use. In particular, in flight, the fluid-bearing portion 57 may generally be at a higher pressure than the non-fluid-bearing portion 58, and the resulting pressure differential will exert a force on the diaphragm 200 that may move along the passage 56 in a direction toward the non-fluid-bearing portion 58 (i.e., in the direction of the non-fluid-bearing portion 58). Figure 1 Push the partition 200 upward (from right to left). Figure 1As shown, when the retainer portion 152 of the diaphragm retainer 150 is located in the pocket 210 of the diaphragm 200, movement of the diaphragm 200 along the axis Z of the passage 56 is resisted by the retainer portion 52 abutting against the interior wall of the pocket 210, which is located on opposite sides of the retainer portion 152 along the axis Z of the passage 56. It is noted that the reinforcing webs 153 are positioned to reinforce the diaphragm retainer 150 to resist movement of the diaphragm 200 in a direction toward the non-fluid carrying portion 58 of the passage 56.

[0043] Now refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The process of installing bulkhead 200 is described below. Due to the size of bulkhead 200, it must be inserted into channel 56 via second opening 53 formed in crown 55 of FSD 5. Second opening 53 is an opening configured for fluid communication with connector 100 and, therefore, is sufficiently large to accommodate bulkhead 200. In embodiments of the present invention, second opening 53 may be sufficiently large to accommodate the assembled bulkhead 200. However, in the presently described embodiment, the various portions of bulkhead 200 are inserted into and assembled within channel 56, with fasteners 207 engaged with second body portion 202 but not yet tightened to expand gasket 203. Bulkhead 200 is then moved along channel 56 to a position in which opening 211 of recess 210 is positioned adjacent to first opening 52 in crown 55 of FSD 5.

[0044] Then, before tightening the fasteners 207 of the bulkhead 200, a tool 300 having a similar structure and size to the bulkhead retainer 150 is installed. Figure 6 , tool 300 includes a first plate portion 301 and a second plate portion 302 extending perpendicularly from first plate portion 302. In use, first plate portion 301 is positioned on crown 55 of the FSD, and second plate portion 302 extends through first opening 52 and into recess 210 of bulkhead 200. Tool 300 is secured to FSD 5 using fasteners 600, which pass through first plate portion 301 and into holes 54 in crown 55 of FSD 5, which will later be used to secure connector 100 to crown 55.

[0045] The inner dimensions of the recess 210 of the spacer 200 are larger than the outer dimensions of the second plate portion 302, so that the second plate portion 302 fits relatively loosely within the recess 210 and can be positioned within the recess 210 so that the second plate portion 302 does not contact the inner walls of the recess 210 (however, it is not required that the second plate portion 302 does not contact the recess 210 during the process of installing the spacer 200). In particular, the second plate portion 302 is sized so that when the second plate portion 302 is centrally positioned in the recess 201, there will be a gap of approximately 0.5 mm between the second plate portion 302 and the inner walls of the recess 210 on either side of the second plate portion 302 along the longitudinal axis Z of the channel 56. In addition, there will be a gap of approximately 4 mm between the second plate portion 302 and the inner walls of the recess on each lateral side edge of the second plate portion 302 along the transverse axis X of the channel 56, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z. Figure 1 There will also be a gap of at least 4 mm between the lower edge of the second plate portion 302 and the inner wall of the recess 210 adjacent the lower edge of the second plate portion 302 along the height direction Y of the channel 56, the height direction Y of the channel 56 being perpendicular to both the X and Z directions, and Figure 1 In other embodiments of the invention, the relative dimensions of the second plate portion and the recess may of course be different, and thus different gaps may be provided between the second plate portion and the inner wall of the recess.

[0046] Then, fasteners 207 of diaphragm 200, which are accessible through second opening 52 of FSD 5, are tightened to draw first body portion 201 and second body portion 202 closer together, thereby compressing gasket 203 and deforming gasket 203 outwardly into engagement with inner surface 51 of the wall of passage 56 of FSD 5 to form a seal. Because the interior dimensions of pocket 210 are larger than the exterior dimensions of second plate portion 301, diaphragm 200 is able to move relative to tool 300 as fasteners 207 are tightened, thereby allowing diaphragm 200 to self-align within passage 56 as gasket 203 expands to form a seal with inner surface 51 of passage 56.

[0047] Once the bulkhead 200 is installed and sealed within the channel of the FSD 5, the tool 300 is removed and the connector 100 is removed from the Figure 3 Move the position shown in Figure 15. It should be noted that the dimensions of tool 300 are such that opening 211 of pocket 210 of installed bulkhead 200 will be positioned so that when connector 100 is moved into position on crown 55 of FSD 5, retainer portion 152 of bulkhead retainer 150 will be received in pocket 210 without retainer portion 152 abutting the inner wall of pocket 210 in a manner that causes substantial movement of bulkhead 200.

[0048] The outer dimensions of the retainer portion 152 of the spacer retainer 150 are substantially the same as the second plate portion 302 of the tool 300. Thus, the retainer portion 152 is sized such that, when the retainer portion 152 is centrally positioned within the recess 201, a clearance of approximately 0.5 mm will exist between the retainer portion 152 and the inner wall of the recess 210 on either side of the retainer portion 152 along the longitudinal axis Z of the channel 56. Furthermore, a clearance of approximately 4 mm will exist between the retainer portion 152 and the inner wall of the recess along the transverse axis X of the channel 56 on each lateral side edge of the retainer portion 152. A clearance of approximately 4 mm will also exist along the height direction Y of the channel 56 between the lower edge of the retainer portion 152 and the inner wall of the recess 210 adjacent to the lower edge of the retainer portion 152. In other embodiments of the present invention, the relative dimensions of the retainer portion and the recess may, of course, vary, and thus provide different clearances between the retainer portion and the inner wall of the recess.

[0049] Because the outer dimensions of the retainer portion 152 of the separator retainer 150 are substantially the same as the second plate portion 302 of the tool 300, the retainer portion 152 of the separator retainer 150 moves into the recess 210 of the separator 200 without the retainer portion 152 coming into contact with the separator 200 in a manner that causes the separator 200 to move significantly, and thus the separator 200 maintains its self-aligned configuration within the channel 56. In other embodiments of the present invention, the relative sizes of the retaining portion of the separator retainer and the second plate portion of the tool can, of course, vary. For example, the retaining portion can have one or more dimensions that are smaller than the second plate portion.

[0050] Once in place on the crown 55 of the FSD 5, the connector 100 is secured to the crown 55 using fasteners 600 which pass through holes 112 in the connector 100 and are secured in corresponding holes 54 in the crown 55 of the FSD. It should be noted that an advantage of this arrangement over separate connectors and bulkhead holders is that in this arrangement both the connector and bulkhead holder can be used. Figure 3 The four fasteners 600 shown in FIG are fastened to the crown 55 of the FSD 5, and two of these fasteners are located in the non-fluid carrying portion 58 of the channel 56. Typically, there will be no Figure 1 Securement of the illustrated connector with an integral bulkhead retainer to the FSD would require four fasteners located within the fluid carrying portion 57 of the passage 56. Thus, a connector 100 of the type described herein with an integral bulkhead retainer 150 advantageously reduces the number of fasteners located within the fluid carrying portion of the passage 56, thereby reducing drag within the passage 56.

[0051] The above-mentioned septum holder 150 forms part of the connector 100 for connecting the FSD 5 to another fluid flow conduit. This embodiment of the present invention is particularly advantageous because a relatively large opening in the FSD 5 is required for inserting the septum 200 into the FSD 5, and the opening 53 that is fluidly connected to the connector 100 provides an opening of appropriate size. Therefore, it is particularly convenient to place the septum near the connector. However, in embodiments of the present invention, the septum holder may not form part of the connector. For example, Figure 8 A separator retainer 1150 is shown which is configured to fit over the Figures 1 to 6 The FSD described is identical to FSD 5, but this bulkhead retainer 1150 does not form part of connector 100. Bulkhead retainer 1150 comprises a cover portion 1151 formed from an elongated first plate. A second plate forming a retainer portion 1152 of bulkhead retainer 150 extends generally perpendicularly from cover portion 1151. A reinforcing member in the form of a triangular reinforcing web 1153 extends between adjacent surfaces of cover portion 1151 and retainer portion 1152 in a plane perpendicular to the plane defined by cover portion 1151 and retainer portion 1152.

[0052] Similar to the above-described bulkhead retainer 150, bulkhead retainer 1150 is configured such that retainer portion 1152 is received in first opening 52 of FSD 5 and into recess 210 of bulkhead 200, while cover portion 1151 covers first opening 52. However, since no connector is present in this case, cover portion 1151 also extends to cover first opening 53. It should be noted that in this case, tool 300 can also be used to install the bulkhead prior to installing bulkhead retainer 1150.

[0053] While the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein.

[0054] In the foregoing description, when reference is made to wholes or elements that have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are incorporated herein as if set forth individually. Reference should be made to the claims to determine the true scope of the invention, which should be interpreted as encompassing any such equivalents. The reader will also understand that whole components or features of the invention that are described as preferred, advantageous, convenient, etc. are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that in some embodiments of the invention, such optional wholes or features, while potentially beneficial, may not be desirable and, therefore, may not be present in other embodiments.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising a fuel stringer conduit, a baffle and a baffle retainer, wherein: the baffle being positioned in the interior passage of the fuel stringer conduit to prevent fluid from flowing along the interior passage, the baffle including a gasket that seals a gap between a body of the baffle and an inner surface of a wall defining the interior passage of the fuel stringer conduit; The fuel stringer conduit includes a wall having a first opening formed therein, The separator holder comprises a cover portion and a holder portion, the cover portion being fastened to an outer surface of the wall of the fuel stringer conduit such that the cover portion covers the first opening in the wall, the retainer portion extending from the cover portion, through the first opening in the wall, and into the interior passage of the fuel stringer conduit; and The retainer portion is configured to abut the body of the baffle to prevent the baffle from moving beyond the retainer portion along the interior passage of the fuel stringer conduit.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein The body of the spacer is formed with a pocket, and the retainer portion of the spacer retainer is received in the pocket.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The retainer portion is a plate oriented in a plane perpendicular to the axis defined by the channel.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The separator retainer includes a reinforcement member extending between the cover portion and the retainer portion.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein: The inner dimension of the recess is greater than the outer dimension of the retainer portion.

6. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein: There is a second opening through the thickness of the wall of the fuel stringer conduit, and the second opening is sized to enable the separator to pass through the second opening and into the interior passage of the fuel stringer conduit.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The gasket of the separator is located at a position along the fuel stringer conduit between the first opening and the second opening.

8. An assembly according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The baffle retainer forms a portion of a connector for connecting a fluid flow conduit to a fuel stringer conduit; the connector includes a first opening on a first face, a second opening on a second face, and an internal passage for fluid transfer between the first opening and the second opening; the connector is mounted to the outer surface of the wall of the fuel stringer conduit so that the first opening of the connector is in fluid communication with the second opening of the fuel stringer conduit.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The connector is mounted to the fuel stringer conduit using one or more fasteners on a first side of the retainer portion and one or more fasteners on an opposing second side of the retainer portion.

10. A connector, the connector being suitable for use as the connector according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein: The connector includes a body, which includes a first opening located on a first surface, a second opening located on a second surface, and an internal channel for fluid transfer between the first opening and the second opening, and wherein the connector includes a partition retainer, the partition retainer includes a cover portion and a retainer portion, the cover portion has a surface coplanar with the first surface of the body, and the retainer portion extends from the cover portion.

11. A separator for a fuel stringer pipe, the separator comprising a first body portion, a second body portion and a gasket located between the first body portions, wherein: The diaphragm is configured such that the first body portion and the second body portion can move toward each other to compress the gasket and thereby move the gasket outward relative to the first body portion and the second body portion; and one of the first body portion and the second body portion includes a recess for receiving a diaphragm retainer.

12. The separator according to claim 11, wherein The partition includes a fastener, the first body portion is provided with a hole for the fastener to pass through, and the fastener is received in a corresponding threaded hole in the second body portion; The fastener is operable to move the first and second body portions toward each other to compress the gasket, and the second body portion includes a recess.

13. A method of installing a baffle in a fuel stringer conduit, the method comprising: inserting a retainer portion of the tool through a first opening in a wall of the fuel stringer conduit and into a recess formed in the separator; securing the tool to the wall of the fuel stringer conduit such that the tool remains in a fixed position relative to the fuel stringer conduit; adjusting a gasket of the separator to seal a gap between a body of the separator and an inner surface of the wall defining an interior passage of the fuel stringer conduit; removing said tool; as well as The baffle retainer is installed by inserting a retainer portion of the baffle retainer into the recess of the baffle and securing a cover portion of the baffle retainer to the wall of the fuel stringer conduit such that the cover portion covers the first opening in the wall.

14. The method according to claim 13, comprising: The parts for forming the baffle are inserted through the second opening in the wall and into the interior passage of the fuel stringer conduit, and the parts are assembled within the interior passage to form the baffle.

15. An assembly comprising a fuel stringer conduit, a baffle and a baffle retainer, wherein: The baffle is positioned in the internal passage of the fuel stringer conduit to prevent fluid flow along the internal passage, the baffle including a gasket that seals a gap between a body of the baffle and an inner surface of a wall defining the internal passage; The fuel stringer conduit includes a wall formed with an opening, The separator retainer includes a first plate coupled to a second plate, the second plate extending perpendicularly from the first plate; and The first plate is fixed to the outer surface of the wall of the fuel stringer conduit so that the second plate extends through the opening and extends into a plate receiving portion formed in the body of the partition, and the partition retainer is configured to prevent the partition from moving along the axis of the channel by abutting the second plate with the wall of the partition defining the plate receiving portion, and the wall is positioned on opposite sides of the second plate along the axis of the channel.

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