Double-wall pipe flange with coupling configuration

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to gas turbine plumbing, and more particularly, to double wall pipes and associated flanges and couplings that allow leaked fluids to be transmitted to a suitable drain point.BACKGROUND

[0002] Typical double wall pipes in gas turbine engines employ couplings that use high cost flanges that are associated with expensive and inefficient processing. These flanges may also be heavy and include structures that may be optimized. Attachment of the flanges may involve several processing steps including, for example, welding, swaging, and brazing. Moreover, the processing costs account for the majority of the fabrication costs of doubled wall pipe configurations.

[0003] GB 2 080 474 A discloses a fuel pipe arrangement where a fuel pipe is enclosed by a slightly larger diameter second pipe such that any fuel leaked from the fuel pipe is contained by the second pipe.

[0004] US 2010 / 0001512 A1 discloses dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems.

[0005] WO 2013 / 052741 A2 discloses a double wall tube adapter and joint.

[0006] US 2005 / 0050902 A1 discloses a fixing system of a flame pipe or liner.

[0007] US 2011 / 0233923 A1 discloses a connected structure of vacuum double pipes and a joint configured to connect the vacuum double pipes.SUMMARY

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a double wall pipe assembly as claimed in claim 1.

[0009] Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention are provided in claims dependent from claim 1.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements. FIG. 1A illustrates cross-sectional view of an exemplary gas turbine engine, in accordance with various embodiments; FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of an exemplary portion of a gas turbine engine case, in accordance with various embodiments; FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a first manufacturing stage of a doubled wall pipe, in accordance with various embodiments; FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of a second manufacturing stage of a doubled wall pipe, in accordance with various embodiments; FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of a third manufacturing stage of a doubled wall pipe, in accordance with various embodiments; FIG. 2D illustrates a perspective view of a fourth manufacturing stage of a doubled wall pipe, in accordance with various embodiments; FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a coupling for a doubled wall pipe, in accordance with various embodiments; FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of a coupling comprising a first flange arrangement for a doubled wall pipe, in accordance with various embodiments; FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of a coupling comprising a second flange arrangement for a doubled wall pipe, in accordance with various embodiments; FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a coupling with a first doubled wall pipe installed within the coupling, in accordance with various embodiments; and FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a coupling with a first doubled wall pipe and a second doubled wall pipe installed within the coupling, in accordance with various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice these embodiments, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with the present disclosure and the teachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not for providing limitations on the scope of the disclosure. For example, the steps recited in any of the methods or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and / or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Moreover, surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, a gas turbine engine 100 (such as a turbofan gas turbine engine) is illustrated according to various embodiments. Gas turbine engine 100 is disposed about axial centerline axis A-A', which may also be referred to as axis of rotation A-A'. Gas turbine engine 100 may comprise a fan 140, compressor sections 104 and 105, a combustion section 106, and turbine sections 107, 108. Air compressed in the compressor sections 104, 105 may be mixed with fuel and burned in combustion section 106 and expanded across the turbine sections 107, 108. The turbine sections 107, 108 may include high pressure rotors and low pressure rotors, which rotate in response to the expansion. The turbine sections 107, 108 may comprise alternating rows of rotary airfoils or blades and static airfoils or vanes. Cooling air may be supplied to the turbine sections 107, 108 from the compressor sections 104, 105. A plurality of bearings 109 may support spools in the gas turbine engine 100. FIG. 1 provides a general understanding of the sections in a gas turbine engine, and is not intended to limit the disclosure. The present disclosure may extend to all types of turbine engines, including turbofan gas turbine engines and turbojet engines, for all types of applications.

[0013] The forward-aft positions of gas turbine engine 100 lie along axis of rotation A-A'. For example, fan 102 may be referred to as forward of turbine section 107 and turbine section 107 may be referred to as aft of fan 102. Typically, during operation of gas turbine engine 100, air flows from forward to aft, for example, from fan 102 to turbine section 107. As air flows from fan 102 to the more aft components of gas turbine engine 100, axis of rotation A-A' may also generally define the direction of the air stream flow.

[0014] In various embodiments, double wall pipes may be employed to transport fluids, and particularly, flammable fluids, through aircraft structures and in aircraft volumes (e.g., along the engine cage). These double wall pipes typically are associated with expensive and resource intensive manufacturing processes. For example, typical double wall pipe assemblies may employ orbital welds, swaging, and brazing of flanges. However, these swaging and brazing processes may be expensive and timeconsuming.

[0015] The double wall pipes defined herein are described in the context of use in aerospace applications, and in particular, in the context of use in conjunction with gas turbine engines including, for example, gas turbine engine 100 as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. However, the double wall pipe configurations described herein may be used in any suitable double wall pipe application and / or environment. As such, the description of the double wall pipes in the context of a gas turbine engine is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the application.

[0016] In various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, double wall pipe 120 may run along a portion of or along the outside perimeter of case 110. Case 110 may be any suitable portion of the case surrounding engine components of gas turbine engine 100. For example, case 110 may be the case surrounding all or a portion of compressor section 104, compressor section 105, combustor 106, turbine section 107, and / or turbine section 108. Moreover, case 110 may cover one or more of the components that make up gas turbine engine 100. Similarly, double wall pipe 120 may move fluid from one section of gas turbine engine 100 to another section of gas turbine engine 100 along and outside case 110.

[0017] In various embodiments, gas turbine engine 100 and / or case 110 may comprise one or more double wall pipes 120 including, for example, double wall pipe 120-1, double wall pipe 120-2, and / or double wall pipe 120-3 in Fig. 1B. Double wall pipe 120 may include any suitable flange coupling and / or fitting. For example double wall pipe 120-2 may comprise a fitting 122 that is configured to interface with case 110.

[0018] With reference to FIG. 2A through FIG. 2D, double wall pipe 220 may comprise a first pipe 221 and a second pipe 223. First pipe 221 and second pipe 223 may be operatively coupled to first fitting 222 (e.g., by orbital welded). Second pipe 223 sleeves over and / or is installed over first pipe 221. Second pipe 223 may be operably coupled to first fitting 222 (e.g., by orbital welding). In this regard, double wall pipe 220 may comprise a chamber 225 and / or a channel between first pipe 221 and second pipe 223. Any fluid leaked from first pipe 221 may be contained in and / or conducted through the chamber 225 to a suitable drainage point.

[0019] In various embodiments, piloted flange assembly 230 may comprise a first piloted flange 232 and a second piloted flange 234. Piloted flange assembly 230 may be installable on double wall pipe 220. In this regard, piloted flange assembly 230 may be operatively coupled to double wall pipe 220 in any suitable fashion including, for example, welding, swaging, brazing and / or the like.

[0020] In various embodiments and in response to first pipe 221 and second pipe 223 are operatively coupled to first fitting 222, a first piloted flange 232 may be installed on first pipe 221. First piloted flange 232 is operatively coupled to first pipe 221. For example, first piloted flange 232 may be coupled to first pipe 221 with an orbital weld. Second piloted flange 234 may then be sleeved over first piloted flange 232 and first pipe 221 and operatively coupled to second pipe 223. In this regard, second piloted flange 234 may be coupled to second pipe 223 with an orbital welded. Piloted flange assembly 230 may be installable in a coupling to join segments of double wall pipes 220.

[0021] In various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 2D and FIG. 3, coupling 340 may be configured to receive the piloted flange assembly 230. Coupling 340 defines one or more minor diameter receivable slots 341, which are shown minor diameter receivable slots 341-1 and minor diameter receivable slot 341-2 in FIG. 3. Minor diameter receivable slot 341 may be defined and / or configured to receive first piloted flange 232. Coupling 340 also comprises and / or defines one or more major diameter receivable slots 343, which are shown major diameter receivable slot 343-1 and major diameter receivable slot 343-2. Major diameter receivable slot 343 is configured to receive and / or support second piloted flange 234.

[0022] In various embodiments, coupling 340 may comprise a flange 344. Flange 344 may be configured to support and / or attach coupling 340 to a support structure (e.g., case 110 as shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B). Coupling 340 also comprises one or more passageways 342 operatively configured to conduct fluid between a first major diameter receivable slot 343-1 to a second major diameter receivable slot 343-2.

[0023] With reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, coupling 440 defines a plurality of passages 442 which are shown as passage 442-1, passage 442-2, passage 442-3, passage 442-4, passage 442-5, and / or passage 442-6 in FIG. 4A. In this regard coupling 440 may include any suitable number of passages. Passage 442 is configured to conduct a fluid from in the volume defined between the first pipe and the second pipe of a doubled wall pipe assembly. In this regard, fluid leaked from the first pipe may be captured and contained in the volume created or defined between the first pipe and the second pipe. This fluid may be conducted across one or more couplings 440 so that it may be drained at a suitable drain point.

[0024] In various embodiments, minor diameter receivable slot 441 may be isolated from major diameter receivable slot 443. In this regard, fluid conducted through an inner pipe received in minor diameter receivable slot 441 may be isolated from the volume defined between an inner pipe (e.g., first pipe 221 as shown in FIG. 2D) and an outer pipe (e.g., second pipe 223 as shown in FIG. 2D), where the outer pipe is received in major diameter receivable slot 443.

[0025] In various embodiments, coupling 440 may also comprise flange 444. Flange 444 may be any suitable structure, including an integrally formed flange with one or more attachment points such as, for example, attachment point 445-1 and / or attachment point 445-2, as shown in FIG. 4A. Flange 444 may also be operably coupled to a bracket 447. Bracket 447 may be configured to engage and / or hold coupling 440 as shown in FIG. 4B. Flange 444 may be installable on any suitable structure including, for example, a gas turbine engine case (e.g., case 110 as shown in FIGs. 1A and 1B).

[0026] With reference to FIG. 5, double wall pipe 520 is receivable in coupling 540. More specifically, flange assembly 530 of double wall pipe 520 is receivable in coupling 540. In this regard, first pipe 521 comprises and / or is coupled to first piloted flange 532. First piloted flange 532 and first pipe 521 may is received in and / or installable in minor diameter receivable slot 541 of coupling 540. Second pipe 523 comprises and / or is coupled to second piloted flange 534. Second piloted flange 534 and second pipe 523 are received by and / or may be installable in major diameter receivable slot 543 of coupling 540.

[0027] In various embodiments, first piloted flange 532 may comprise a channel and / or slot capable of receiving and retaining a seal 535. Seal 535 is installed on first piloted flange 532 and is compressed in response to first piloted flange 532 being installed in minor diameter receivable slot 541. In this regard, seal 535 is capable of and / or configured to retain first piloted flange 532 within minor diameter receivable slot 541. Similarly, second piloted flange 534 may include a channel and / or slot that is configured to receive a seal 533. Seal 533 is installed on second piloted flange 534. In response to being installed in major diameter receivable slot 543, seal 533 compresses and retains second piloted flange 534 and coupling 540.

[0028] In various embodiments, double wall pipe 520 and / or flange assembly 530 may further include a collar 550. Collar 550 may be slidably installed on double wall pipe 520 and may be configured to operatively couple to coupling 540. Collar 550 may be a threaded collar. In this regard, collar 550 may be configured to operatively couple to and / or threadably engage coupling 540 to retain flange assembly 530 and / or double wall pipe 520 in coupling 540. Collar 550 may also be secured and / or operatively coupled to coupling 540 with one or more fasteners such as, for example screws, set screws and / or any other suitable mechanical and / or chemical fastener.

[0029] In various embodiments and with reference to FIG. 6, coupling 640 may be configured as a conduit configured to connect a first double wall pipe 620-1 to a second double wall pipe 620-2. In this regard coupling 640 may be configured to define a first fluid channel that is capable of providing fluid communication between first pipe 621-1 and first pipe 621-2. Coupling 640 may further define a second fluid communication channel configured to provide fluid communication between second pipe 623-1 and second pipe 623-2. This fluid communication is further facilitated by passage 642-1 and passage 642-2. In this regard, passages 642 are configured to conduct fluids leaked from first pipe 621 into the volume defined between first pipe 621 and second pipe 623. These passages 642 may be configured to conduct the leaked fluid to any suitable drain point.

[0030] First piloted flange 632 comprises a stop 637. Stop 637 is configured to ensure proper installation depth and alignment of first piloted flange 632. Stop 637 may be defined as a radial stop that is configured to abut a first abutment structure 647. First abutment structure 647 is defined along or on a structure that defines minor diameter receivable slot 641. Similarly, second piloted flange 634 comprises and / or include a stop 639. Stop 639 is configured to ensure proper installation depth and alignment of second piloted flange 634. Stop 639 is installable against or may be configured to abut a second abutment structure 649. Second abutment structure 649 is defined on a structure that defines major diameter receivable slot 643.

[0031] In various embodiments, the double wall pipe structures, couplings, fittings, and support structures reduce the complexity of manufacturing, the cost of manufacturing, and the overall weight of the assembly. By employing the various structures discussed herein, the manufacturer ability and the cost of manufacture of double wall pipes is improved.

[0032] Benefits and advantages have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, such benefits, advantages, and any elements that may cause any benefit or advantage to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." Moreover, where a phrase similar to "at least one of A, B, or C" is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

[0033] Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to "various embodiments", "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Claims

1. A double wall pipe assembly, comprising: a coupling (340; 440; 540; 640) defining a minor diameter receivable slot (341; 441; 541; 641) and a major diameter receivable slot (343; 443; 543; 643); and a double wall pipe configured to conduct a fluid, the double wall pipe operatively coupled to the coupling (340 ... 640), and comprising: a first pipe (221; 521; 621); a second pipe (223; 523; 623) sleeved over the first pipe (221; 521; 621); a first piloted flange (232; 532; 632) operatively coupled to the first pipe (221; 521; 621) and installable in the minor diameter receivable slot (341 ... 641); and a second piloted flange (234 ... 634) coupled to the second pipe (223; 523; 623) and installable in the major diameter receivable slot (343 ... 643), wherein: the coupling (340 ... 640) defines one or more passages (342; 442; 642) configured to conduct a fluid from a volume defined between the first pipe (221; 521; 621) and the second pipe (223; 523; 623) across the coupling (340 ... 640); the first piloted flange (232; 532; 632) includes a first seal (535) and the second piloted flange (235; 534; 634) includes a second seal (533); the first seal (535) is compressible against a first wall portion of the coupling (340 ... 640) defining the minor diameter receivable slot (341 ... 641); the second seal (533) is compressible against a second wall portion of the coupling defining the major diameter receivable slot (343 ... 643); and compression of the first seal (535) and the second seal (533) retains the first pipe (221; 521; 621) and the second pipe (223; 523; 623) to the coupling (340 ... 640), characterised in that: the first piloted flange (232; 532; 632) further comprises a first stop (637) that is configured to abut the first wall portion defining the minor diameter receivable slot (341 ... 641); the second piloted flange (234; 534; 634) comprises a second stop (639) that is configured to abut the second wall portion defining the major diameter receivable slot (343 ... 643); and the first stop (637) is positioned on the first piloted flange (232; 532; 632) to facilitate a proper installation depth and alignment of the first pipe (221; 521; 621) and the second pipe (223; 532; 623) in the coupling (340 ... 640).

2. A gas turbine engine (100) comprising, a compressor (105); a combustor (106) in fluid communication with the compressor (105); a turbine (107, 108) in fluid communication with the combustor (106); a case (110) configured to house at least a portion of at least one of the compressor (105), the combustor (106) or the turbine (107, 108); and the double wall pipe assembly of claim 1, wherein: the double wall pipe assembly is configured to conduct a flammable fluid from a first gas turbine engine portion to a second gas turbine engine portion; and the coupling (340 ... 640) comprises a flange (444), the flange (444) attachable to the case (110).

3. The double wall pipe assembly or gas turbine engine of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a collar (550) slidably installed on the second pipe (223; 523; 623) and configured to operatively couple to the coupling (340 ... 640).

4. The double wall pipe assembly or gas turbine engine of claim 3, wherein the collar (550) is a threaded collar.