Collector for a drained liquid for an aircraft turbine engine and associated turbine engine

Abstract

The invention relates to a collector (10) for a drained liquid for a turbine engine, comprising: - an internal cavity (54) comprising a first space (54A) for collecting the liquid and a second space (54B) for transferring the liquid, the internal cavity extending longitudinally along a first direction (Z) between a first end closed by a bottom wall (16) of the collector and a second end closed by a cover (14); and - at least one inlet (44) for the drained liquid; the first and second spaces being separated by a partition (56) with a means (58) disposed therein for restricting the passage of the drained liquid from the first space to the second space; wherein the means (58) for restricting the passage of the drained liquid is mounted such that it can be removed from the collector by moving it in the direction from the bottom wall to the cover of the collector.

Description

Description Title: Collector for drained fluid for aircraft turbomachinery and associated turbomachinery technical field

[0001] This disclosure falls within the domain of drained fluid manifolds for aircraft turbomachinery. Previous technique

[0002] In a turbomachine, it is often necessary to remove various types of fluids, such as fuel or oil, to prevent them from accumulating and disrupting the turbomachine's normal operation. For example, some engines require draining operations that result in the loss of these fluids.

[0003] To recover these fluids, it is common practice to equip the turbomachine with a drained fluid collector. Such a collector includes an internal cavity into which the drained fluid from the various parts of the turbomachine is received. The collector also includes a drained fluid inlet, which connects the outside of the collector to its internal cavity, and a recovery outlet for this fluid. The recovery outlet connects the internal cavity of the collector to other parts of the turbomachine, for example, to a fuel tank.

[0004] The collector is often configured to direct the collected liquid to the recovery outlet as long as the amount of drained liquid arriving in the internal cavity of the collector is not very high, thus allowing the drained liquid to be reused.

[0005] Typically, the recovery outlet is equipped with a means of restricting the flow of drained fluid, positioned at the interface between the inside and outside of the collector. This flow restrictor acts as a nozzle, measuring the flow rate of drained fluid exiting the collector through the recovery outlet. The nozzle controls the flow rate of drained fluid exiting the collector. Specifically, the nozzle offers resistance to the flow of drained fluid, which depends on the pressure difference across the nozzle. Since the nozzle is positioned at the interface between the inside and outside of the collector, the pressure difference across the nozzle is equivalent to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the collector.

[0006] When the pressure difference across the nozzle increases sufficiently, the resistance to flow through the nozzle is compensated, and the drained liquid can flow through it.

[0007] The pressure difference across the nozzle depends solely on the amount of fluid collected in the manifold's internal cavity, so the fluid flow rate exiting the nozzle is proportional to the amount of fluid in the manifold. Therefore, a very high fluid flow rate from the nozzle indicates a significant amount of fluid in the manifold, which can help identify a turbocharger malfunction.

[0008] However, it has been observed that the operating conditions of the manifold, such as increased air pressure in the manifold's internal cavity or the flow rate of drained fluid entering the internal cavity, as well as the manifold's installation conditions, for example, the length of the piping at the manifold outlet, also impact the pressure difference across the nozzle. Such parameters therefore alter the relationship between the amount of fluid drained into the internal cavity and the flow rate of drained fluid exiting through the recovery outlet, which can lead to false detection of a turbomachine failure or to the failure to identify an actual malfunction.

[0009] Furthermore, when the nozzle is in use, it tends to become clogged, which can impair its operation, or even render it inoperative. Summary

[0010] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0011] To this end, a drained fluid collector for a first type of aircraft turbomachine is proposed, the collector comprising: - an internal cavity comprising a first space for collecting the drained liquid and a second space for transferring the collected liquid to a recovery outlet; - at least one inlet of the drained fluid communicating fluidly with the first space; and - at least one recovery outlet communicating fluidly with the second space; in which the first space and the second space are separated from each other by a liquid-tight partition in which is disposed a means of restricting the passage of the liquid drained from the first space to the second space, the first space communicating to the air with the second space in such a way that the air pressure is identical in the first space and in the second space.

[0012] Since the air pressure is identical in the first and second spaces, the pressure difference across the means restricting the flow of the drained liquid depends solely on the height of the drained liquid collected in the first space. The "terminals of the flow restrictor" refer to both the inlet and outlet of the restrictor. More precisely, the inlet corresponds to the outlet of the first space, while the outlet corresponds to the inlet of the second space.

[0013] Thanks to the equalization of pressures in the first and second spaces, other variables, such as the increase in air pressure, the inflow rate of drained liquid into the internal cavity, or the increase in the lengths of the pipes at the outlet of the manifold, do not have an impact on the pressure difference across the terminals of the means of restricting the passage of the drained liquid.

[0014] This document also relates to a drained fluid manifold for a second-type aircraft turbomachine, the manifold comprising: - an internal cavity comprising a first space for collecting the drained liquid and a second space for transferring the collected liquid to a recovery outlet, the internal cavity extending longitudinally in a first direction between a first end closed by a bottom wall of the collector and a second end closed by a cover of the collector; - at least one inlet of the drained fluid communicating fluidly with the first space; and - at least one recovery outlet communicating fluidly with the second space; in which the first space and the second space are separated from each other by a liquid-tight partition in which is disposed a means of restricting the passage of the drained liquid from the first space to the second space in which the means of restricting the passage of the drained liquid is mounted removable relative to the collector by displacement of the means of restricting the passage of the drained liquid along the first direction in the direction going from the bottom wall of the collector to the cover of the collector.

[0015] Since the means of restricting the passage of the drained liquid is mounted removable from the collector, it is possible to extract it from the collector for easy cleaning and to regularly check that it is not clogged.

[0016] Furthermore, since the restriction means is extracted from the manifold by moving it along the first direction from the bottom wall of the manifold to the manifold cover, it is extracted through the second end of the internal cavity, thus avoiding the Leaks of drained fluid through the bottom wall of the manifold are prevented. This design also eliminates the need for seals, such as elastomer seals, to ensure the manifold's bottom wall is watertight. This improves the manifold's resistance to engine floor fires.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the partition is a removable partition mounted within the internal cavity of the manifold. Alternatively, the partition is a fixed partition mounted within the internal cavity of the manifold, or even formed as a single unit with a wall of the internal cavity.

[0018] In one view, at least one recovery outlet is connected to a turbomachine fuel tank. Alternatively, this at least one recovery outlet is connected to a recovery box, also known as an "eco-box." This eco-box is configured to store drained fluids when they are not returned to the fuel tank. It should be noted that, due to the identical air pressure in both the recovery and eco-box spaces, the difference in height between the manifold and the fuel tank or the eco-box does not affect the pressure difference across the drained fluid flow restriction device.

[0019] In one aspect, the means for restricting the passage of the drained fluid is formed within the partition. For example, the means for restricting passage includes at least one orifice through the partition. The orifice in the partition allows the drained fluid to flow from the first space to the second space.

[0020] According to one example, at least one orifice included in the means of restricting the passage of the drained liquid can be arranged in an added nozzle installed in an opening in the partition.

[0021] In one respect, the partition is thin-walled. By "thin-walled" we mean that the thickness of the partition is less than 1.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm. According to one aspect, the passage orifice has a diameter of less than 1.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm.

[0022] According to one aspect, the means for restricting the passage of the drained fluid includes at least two orifices through the partition. In this case, in order to maintain the same flow law of the drained fluid between the first and second spaces of the cavity as when the means for restricting the passage includes only one orifice, the orifices of the partition preferably have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening in the partition when this is the only one.

[0023] According to one aspect, the means of restricting the passage of the drained fluid comprises at least two orifices passing through the partition at different heights. In this case, the level at which the drained fluid reaches the internal cavity and passes through each orifice of the partition is different, with the orifices at a lower height being traversed at a lower fill level than those at a higher height.

[0024] According to one aspect, the collector further includes an evacuation outlet fluidly connected to an overflow conduit, for example arranged in the first space of the internal cavity.

[0025] The discharge outlet communicates with the outside of the turbomachine. The overflow pipe has a defined height which determines a fill level in the internal cavity of the manifold beyond which the drained fluid flows through the discharge outlet.

[0026] According to one aspect, the overflow conduit includes an inlet for the liquid collected in the first space, said inlet being disposed at a height greater than the height of the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid.

[0027] The height here refers to the dimension measured along the longitudinal direction of the manifold in its operating position. Depending on the diameter of the restrictor orifice and the height of the overflow duct's inlet, it is possible to determine a leak detection threshold for drained fluid from the turbomachine, beyond which the drained fluid flows through the discharge outlet. When this threshold is exceeded, the amount of drained fluid entering the internal cavity is very significant, which may indicate a fault in the turbomachine.

[0028] In one aspect, the partition forms a tube delimiting the second space.

[0029] According to the invention, the tube is arranged in the internal cavity extending between a bottom wall of the collector and a collector cover. More precisely, the tube extends from the bottom wall of the collector towards the collector cover. The tube has, for example, a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section.

[0030] Advantageously, the drained liquid recovery outlet is fluidly connected to the internal cavity of the collector through its bottom wall.

[0031] According to one aspect, the tube extends in a longitudinal direction and includes a first end portion carrying the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid and a second end part carrying at least one pressure balancing orifice connecting the air of the first space with the air of the second space.

[0032] According to the invention, the first end portion is directly connected to the bottom wall of the collector. The means for restricting the flow of the drained liquid is therefore arranged near the bottom wall of the collector so that the drained liquid flows between the first and second spaces with a low level of fill from the drained liquid in the first space.

[0033] At least one pressure equalization orifice allows air to flow between the first and second spaces of the internal cavity, thereby equalizing the pressures between them. More precisely, the pressure equalization orifice is sized to ensure that the pressure in the second space is the same as in the first space. According to the invention, the diameter of the pressure equalization orifice is greater than 1.5 mm and less than 3 mm. For example, the diameter of the pressure equalization orifice is 2 mm.

[0034] According to one aspect, the second end part of the tube includes at least two pressure balancing orifices.

[0035] When several pressure balancing ports are provided, pressure equalization between the first and second spaces of the internal cavity of the manifold is facilitated.

[0036] Advantageously, the tube includes six pressure balancing orifices distributed equidistantly around the longitudinal direction of the tube.

[0037] In one aspect, at least one balancing orifice has a diameter greater than the diameter of the means restricting the passage of the drained fluid. This allows pressure equalization between the first and second spaces to be possible.

[0038] In one design, at least one balancing orifice is positioned at a height greater than the height of the drained fluid inlet of the overflow pipe. This ensures that the drained fluid does not pass through at least one balancing orifice, since once it reaches the height of the drained fluid inlet of the overflow pipe, the drained fluid flows through this overflow pipe towards the manifold outlet.

[0039] According to one aspect, the partition forms a tube mounted removable relative to the collector by displacement of the tube along the first direction in the direction extending from the bottom wall of the collector to the cover of the collector.

[0040] Since the tube is mounted removable, the extraction of the means restricting the passage of the drained liquid is thus facilitated.

[0041] Furthermore, since the tube is mounted as a removable part, its manufacture is simplified, even when its wall is thin. By "thin wall" we mean a wall with a thickness of 2 mm or less, preferably less than 1 mm.

[0042] According to one aspect, the tube comprises a first end part directly connected to the bottom wall of the collector and a second end part connected to the cover of the collector.

[0043] The tube is thus held in position within the internal cavity of the collector.

[0044] According to another aspect, the means for restricting the flow of the drained liquid is included in the first end portion of the tube, at a height located above the level of an inner face (20) of the bottom wall (16) of the collector. In particular, the means for restricting the flow is located at a height between the bottom wall of the collector and the collector cover.

[0045] Since the means of restricting passage is included in the first end part of the tube, the drained liquid flows between the first space and the second space with a low level of filling by the drained liquid from the first space.

[0046] The flow restrictor is positioned at a height between the bottom wall of the collector and the collector cover, thus preventing it from being placed in an area where impurities can accumulate within the collector. Areas where impurities can accumulate include, in particular, any recess or cavity in the bottom wall of the collector. This reduces the risk of the flow restrictor becoming clogged.

[0047] According to one aspect, the first end portion of the tube includes an insertion portion that is inserted into a recess in the bottom wall of the collector. The first end portion of the tube is thus held in position in the bottom wall.

[0048] According to one aspect, the first end portion includes a stop element on the bottom wall, such as a collar, projecting radially outwards from the tube relative to the insertion portion, the stop element being arranged between the means of restricting the passage of the drained liquid and the insertion portion.

[0049] The insertion portion of the tube is thus inserted into the housing in the bottom wall of the manifold until the stop on the first end of the tube comes to rest against the bottom wall of the manifold. The arrangement of the tube within the internal cavity is thus guided and facilitated. Furthermore, the stop being arranged between the means restricting the passage of the drained liquid and the insertion portion, it is ensured that the means restricting is disposed at a height between the bottom wall and the cover of the collector, so as not to be arranged in an area of ​​accumulation of impurities.

[0050] According to one aspect, the insertion portion of the first end part of the tube includes an annular groove in which an annular sealing gasket is mounted, bearing against an annular surface opposite the housing.

[0051] Thanks to the annular groove and the annular seal, the sealing of the connection between the bottom wall of the collector and the tube is improved.

[0052] According to one aspect, the second end part of the tube includes at least one pressure balancing orifice passing through the tube between the first space and the second space of the internal cavity.

[0053] At least one balancing orifice connects the air in the first space with the air in the second space, so that the air pressure is identical in the first space and in the second space.

[0054] According to one aspect, the second end part includes a connecting pin for the tube to the collector cover.

[0055] According to one aspect, the collector cover includes a cap having a shape complementary to the shape of the tube's connecting pin

[0056] According to the invention, the flow restriction means is long enough to extend from the bottom wall to the collector lid. The cap, having a shape complementary to the shape of the tube's connecting pin, ensures that the second end portion is secured within the collector's internal cavity. The cap is specifically dimensioned to compensate for any play in the second end portion, and more precisely, to reduce vibrations of the second end portion of the tube that can be caused by the drained liquid collected in the first space of the internal cavity.

[0057] In one respect, the collector cover is removable. This facilitates the removal of the flow restriction device.

[0058] According to one aspect, the collector further includes a discharge outlet fluidly connected to an overflow conduit arranged in the first space of the internal cavity, in which the overflow conduit forms a removable assembly with the tube. movement of said assembly along the first direction in the direction going from the bottom wall of the collector to the cover of the collector.

[0059] In another respect, the diameter of the flow restriction means is less than or equal to 1.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm. The flow rate of drained liquid that can pass from the first space to the second space and then to the first outlet is thus limited.

[0060] According to another aspect, the thickness of the passage restriction means is less than or equal to 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm. The nozzle is thus a thin-walled nozzle.

[0061] According to another aspect, a turbomachine, such as a turbojet or turboprop, is proposed, comprising at least one first-type or second-type manifold as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0062] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the attached drawings, on which: Fig. 1

[0063] [Fig. 1] shows a collector of a drained liquid for an aircraft turbomachine according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2

[0064] [Fig. 2] shows a drained liquid collector for an aircraft turbomachine according to a second embodiment. Fig. 3

[0065] [Fig. 3] shows a tube included in the collector of figure 2. Fig. 4

[0066] [Fig. 4] shows a first end part of the tube in Figure 3. Fig. 5

[0067] [Fig. 5] shows a second end part of the tube in Figure 3. Fig. 6

[0068] [Fig. 6] shows an exploded view of the manifold in Figure 2. Description of the implementation methods

[0069] Figures 1 and 2 show a manifold 10 for a drained fluid for an aircraft turbomachine. The manifold 10 comprises a body 12 and a cover 14.

[0070] The body 12 has a cylindrical shape with its axis A1 substantially vertical. In what follows, "vertical" means along a direction Z substantially parallel to the axis A1. In the figures, the body 12 has a substantially circular cross-section, but it could also have a polygonal cross-section.

[0071] The body 12 comprises a bottom wall 16 and a side wall 18.

[0072] The bottom wall 16 preferably has a cross-section whose shape and dimensions are equivalent to the shape and dimensions of the cross-section of the body 12. "Cross-section" here means a cross-section lying in a plane XY perpendicular to the axis A1. The bottom wall 16 comprises an internal face 20 and an external face 22.

[0073] The bottom wall 16 has at least a first cavity 24 and a second cavity 26. In the non-limiting examples of Figures 1 and 2, the first cavity 24 passes substantially vertically through the bottom wall 16 between its inner face 20 and its outer face 22. In Figure 1, the second cavity 26 extends substantially vertically from the inner face 20 of the bottom wall 16, without passing through the outer face 22. In Figure 2, the second cavity 26 has a substantially L-shaped form, with a first portion 26A extending substantially vertically 26, and a second portion 26B extending substantially transversely.

[0074] The first cavity 24 connects the interior of the collector 10 to at least one first outlet 28, called the discharge outlet, while the second cavity 26 connects the interior of the collector 10 to at least one second outlet 30, called the recovery outlet. The discharge outlet 28 and the recovery outlet 30 will be described later.

[0075] The side wall 18 extends substantially along the vertical direction Z from the inner face 20 of the bottom wall 16. The side wall 18 forms a closed surface extending around the axis A1 and comprising a radially internal face 32 and a radially external face 34. "Radially" here corresponds to any direction perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. Preferably, the side wall 18 is substantially cylindrical with a cross-section equal in shape and dimensions to the cross-section of the bottom wall 16.

[0076] The side wall 18 comprises a first end portion 18A directly connected to the bottom wall 16 and a second end portion 18B vertically opposite the first end portion 18A. By way of non-limiting example, the The second end portion 18B of the side wall 18 includes a free end 19. In other words, the body 12 does not include any wall opposite the bottom wall 16 in the Z direction. As shown in Figure 6, the second end portion 18B of the side wall 18 may include one or more portions 36 projecting transversely outward from the collector from the radially external face 34 of the side wall 18 of the collector 10. In this case, the side wall 18 includes three portions 36, but this is not a limiting case. Each portion 36 includes a hole 38 shaped to receive a respective removable means 37 for attaching the cover 14 to the body 12, as will be detailed below. Each removable means 37 is, for example, a screw or a rivet.

[0077] The cover 14 includes a wall 40 intended to be vertically opposite the bottom wall 16. The external periphery of the wall 40 is intended to bear against the free end 19 of the end part 18B.

[0078] The wall 40 preferably has a cross-section whose shape and dimension are advantageously equivalent to the shape and dimension of the bottom wall 16. In some cases, the dimension of the cross-section of the wall 40 is greater than the dimension of the bottom wall 16.

[0079] The wall 40 is traversed substantially vertically by at least one inlet 44 for the drained liquid. In Figure 6, three inlets 44 are shown, although this is not a limiting case. Each inlet 44 includes a fitting 44A for connecting to the respective inlet 44 a conduit (not shown) through which the drained liquid flows until it reaches the collector 10.

[0080] As can be clearly seen from Figure 6, the wall 40 further comprises one or more portions 46 projecting transversely outwards from the collector. Advantageously, the number of portions 46 of the wall 40 is equal to the number of portions 36 of the side wall 18 of the body 12. The portions 46 are arranged so that when the cover 14 is placed on the body 12, each portion 46 of the wall 40 is vertically aligned with a respective portion 36 of the side wall 18. In Figure 6, the wall 40 comprises three portions 46, although this is not a limiting case. Each of the portions 46 includes a hole 48 shaped to receive the respective removable connecting means 37 of the cover 14 to the body 12, as will be detailed below.

[0081] An annular rim 42, intended to radially face the end portion 18B of the side wall, extends from the wall 40. In particular, the annular rim 42 extends from the wall 40 substantially perpendicularly to this plate 40. The annular rim preferably has a shape complementary to the cross-section of the side wall 18 of so that when the cover 14 is placed on the body 12 of the collector, the annular rim is engaged, for example fitted, inside the body 12, specifically transversely opposite the second end portion 18B of the side wall 18. Note that the term "annular" here does not presuppose a circular rim. On the contrary, the term "annular" here refers to any closed shape, regardless of its geometry.

[0082] The annular rim 42 includes a radially external contour 42A facing the radially internal face 32 of the lateral wall 18 of the body 12, and a radially internal contour 42B.

[0083] To ensure the sealing of the manifold 10 when the cover 14 is placed on the body 12, the annular rim 42 may include a groove 50 extending along its entire radially external contour 42A. The groove 50 is specifically shaped to receive a seal 52 whose shape is complementary to the shape of the groove 50.

[0084] As previously stated, the body 12 and the cover 14 are connected by the removable connecting means 37. The cover 14 is thus removable relative to the body 12.

[0085] When the cover 14 is arranged on the body 12, an internal cavity 54 is formed in the collector 10. The internal cavity 54 is in particular delimited by the internal face 20 of the bottom wall 16, the radially internal face 32 of the side wall 18 and the cover 14. The internal cavity 54 therefore extends longitudinally in the direction Z between a first end closed by the bottom wall 16 of the collector 10 and a second end closed by the cover 14.

[0086] The internal cavity 54 comprises a first space 54A and a second space 54B separated by a partition 56. The partition 56, which will be described in more detail later, is preferably thin-walled. By "thin-walled" is meant that the thickness of the partition 56 is less than 1.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm.

[0087] As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, each inlet 44 of the collector communicates fluidly with the first space 54A. The drained liquid is thus initially collected in the first space 54A, which will also be referred to hereafter as the collection space 54A.

[0088] The second space 54B communicates fluidly with the recovery outlet 30. In particular, the second space 54B transfers the liquid collected in the collection space 54A to the recovery outlet 30. Therefore, in what follows, the second space 54B will also be referred to as the transfer space 54B. The recovery outlet 30 includes a fitting 30A for connecting a conduit (not shown) extending between the collector 10 and the collector and another part of the turbomachine, such as the fuel tank or the so-called "ecological" collection box described previously. The drained fluid can then be recovered from collector 10 and sent to other parts of the turbomachine for storage or reuse.

[0089] The partition 56 is liquid-tight. To allow the passage of the liquid collected in the collection space 54A to the transfer space 54B, the partition 56 includes a means of restricting the passage 58 of the liquid drained from the collection space 54A to the transfer space 54B.

[0090] In the figures, the restriction means 58 extends radially, but this is not a limitation. In particular, the restriction means 58 can extend in any direction of space provided that the inlet to the restriction means 58 corresponds to an outlet of the collection space 54A and the outlet of the restriction means 58 corresponds to an inlet of the transfer space 54B.

[0091] The restriction means 58 may include an orifice 58A passing through the partition 58 between the collection space 54A and the transfer space 54B. The diameter of the orifice 58A is less than or equal to 1.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm. This ensures controlled passage of the drained fluid from the collection space 54A to the transfer space 54B.

[0092] Alternatively, the restriction means 58 may comprise a plurality of orifices passing through the partition 56 between the collection space 54A and the transfer space 54B. In this case, each orifice may have a diameter similar to the diameter of orifice 58A. Alternatively, each orifice in the partition 56 may have a diameter smaller than that of orifice 58A in order to obtain a flow law of the drained liquid between the collection space 54A and the transfer space 54B similar to that obtained when only orifice 58A passes through the partition 56. By "flow law of the drained liquid" is meant here the volume of drained liquid that is transferred per unit time between the collection space 54A and the transfer space 54B.

[0093] When several orifices pass through the partition 56, they can be arranged at the same height relative to the bottom wall 16 of the collector 10 or at different heights. When each orifice of the partition 56 is arranged at a different height, the flow law of the drained liquid between the collection space 54A and the transfer space 54B is different for each orifice. In particular, the further the orifice of the partition 56 is from the bottom wall 16 of the collector 10, the slower the flow of the drained liquid. On the one hand, the further the orifice of the partition is from the bottom wall 16, the greater the quantity of The drained liquid collected in the collection space must be large enough to initiate the flow of the drained liquid through this orifice. On the other hand, if other orifices are arranged closer to the bottom wall 16, the drained liquid flows preferentially through these.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the orifice(s) included in the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid is / are arranged in an added nozzle (not shown) installed in an opening in the partition.

[0095] Advantageously, the restriction means 58 is arranged vertically above the bottom wall 16 of the collector. This avoids placing the restriction means 58 on an area where impurities accumulate, increasing the risk of clogging.

[0096] It is noted that preferably the restrictor means 58 is mounted removably from the collector by moving the restrictor means along the Z-direction from the bottom wall 16 of the collector to the cover 14 of the collector. This allows the restrictor means 58 to be removed from the collector for regular cleaning, thus reducing the risk of clogging of the restrictor means 58. Moreover, since the restrictor means 58 is removed by moving from the bottom wall 16 to the cover 14 of the collector, the drained liquid collected in the internal cavity 54 of the collector is not likely to escape through the bottom wall 16 when the restrictor means 58 is removed from the collector 10. Advantageously, when the restrictor means 58 is removed, the cover 14 is also removed from the collector.However, according to an unillustrated variant, the cover 14 may include an opening which passes through the wall 40 and through which the restriction means 58 can be extracted without needing to remove the cover 14.

[0097] The restriction means 58 can be moved along the Z direction independently of the partition 56 or in conjunction with this partition 56 as will be detailed.

[0098] In Figure 1, the partition 56 forms a separating wall extending substantially vertically into the internal cavity 54 from the bottom wall 16 of the collector. The separating wall 56 can be attached to the bottom wall 16 either fixedly or removably. When the separating wall 56 is removably mounted on the bottom wall, the restrictor 58 can be extracted from the collector 10 by vertically moving the separating wall 56 from the bottom wall 16 to the cover 14. Alternatively, the separating wall 56 can be formed as a single unit with the bottom wall 16 of the collector.

[0099] The separating wall 56 comprises a main wall extending radially opposite a portion of the inner face 32 of the lateral wall 18 of the body 12, and two secondary walls (not shown) which radially connect the ends of the main wall to the inner face 32 of the lateral wall 18. The transfer space 54B is then delimited between the separating wall 56 and the inner face 32 of the lateral wall 18. The separating wall 56 is arranged in the internal cavity 54 so that the entrance to the second cavity 26 is contained within the transfer space 54B.

[0100] Advantageously, the separating wall 56 does not extend to the cover 14, which allows the collection space 54A to communicate with the transfer space 54B via air. The air pressure in the collection space 54A and in the transfer space 54B is therefore identical.

[0101] It is noted that the restriction means 58 is arranged on an end part of the separation wall 56 which is connected at its end to the bottom wall 16 of the collector 10.

[0102] In figure 2, the partition 56 forms a tube 60. We now refer to figures 3 to 5 to describe the tube 60.

[0103] As can be seen in Figure 3, the tube 60 extends along a longitudinal direction L1. As can be seen from Figure 2, when the tube 60 is arranged in the internal cavity 54 of the collector 10, the longitudinal direction L1 is substantially parallel to the axis A1 of the collector 10.

[0104] Tube 60 is hollow and substantially cylindrical, with a circular or polygonal cross-section.

[0105] The tube 60 comprises a first end part 60A and a second end part 60B connected together by an intermediate part 60C.

[0106] The first part of the 60A end will now be described with reference to Figure 4.

[0107] The first end portion 60A of the tube 60 carries the flow restriction means 58. In the figures, the flow restriction means 58 comprises a single orifice 58A, but it could comprise several orifices. By way of non-limiting example, each orifice 58A could be included in a nozzle attached to an opening, as previously shown.

[0108] The first end portion 60A of the tube 60 includes an insertion portion 62. The insertion portion is shaped to be inserted into a recess in the bottom wall of the manifold 16, as shown in Figure 2. The recess in the bottom wall communicates fluidly with the recovery outlet 30. In this case, the housing of the bottom wall 16 corresponds to the first portion 26A of the cavity 26.

[0109] The insert portion 62 is fitted into the housing 26A. The insert portion 62 advantageously includes a groove 64, preferably annular, in which an annular sealing gasket 66, visible in Figure 6, is mounted. The gasket 66 ensures the sealing of the tube 60 assembly in the housing 26A of the bottom wall 16. In particular, the gasket 66 limits the flow of drained liquid between the surface of the housing 26A and the insert portion 62. Alternatively, the tube assembly can be sealed by a face gasket or by metal-to-metal contact.

[0110] Preferably, the tube 60 is mounted in the housing 26A in a removable manner. This allows the tube 60 to be extracted from the internal cavity 54 of the manifold 10 by moving it along the Z-direction from the bottom wall 16 towards the cover 14, as previously described. This makes it possible to clean the flow restrictor 58 and to check that it is not clogged, as also explained above.

[0111] The first end portion 60A further includes a stop member 68 on the bottom wall 16. The stop member 68 projects radially outwards from the tube 60 relative to the insertion portion 62. Thus, when the insertion portion 62 of the tube 60 is inserted into the housing 26A, the stop member 68 abuts against the inner face of the bottom wall 16. In the figures, the stop member 68 is a collar, but any other shape projecting radially outwards from the tube 60 relative to the insertion portion 62 is conceivable.

[0112] The stop member 68 is arranged between the passage restriction means 58 and the insertion portion 62. This ensures that the passage restriction means 58 is arranged at a height between the bottom wall 16 of the collector and the cover 14 of the collector, which prevents, as indicated above, it from being positioned in an area of ​​accumulation of impurities promoting its clogging.

[0113] The second end part 60B of tube 60 will now be described with reference to figure 5.

[0114] The second end portion 60B carries at least one pressure-balancing orifice 70 connecting the air from the collection space 54A and the air from the transfer space 54B. In particular, the balancing orifice 70 passes through the tube 60 between the first space 54A and the second space 54B of the internal cavity 54.

[0115] Preferably, the second end part has a plurality of balancing orifices 70 distributed equidistantly around the longitudinal direction L1 of the tube 60. For example, the second end part of the tube 60 has six balancing orifices 70.

[0116] Each pressure-balancing orifice is sized so that the pressure in the collection space 54A is identical to the pressure in the transfer space 54B. Advantageously, a diameter of each balancing orifice is greater than a diameter of the flow-restricting means 58, in particular orifice 58A. For example, each balancing orifice has a diameter greater than 1.5 mm and less than 3 mm. Preferably, the diameter of each balancing orifice is between 1.7 mm and 2.5 mm. For example, the diameter of each balancing orifice is 2 mm.

[0117] To prevent vibration of the second end portion 60B due to the presence of drained fluid in the collection space 54A, the second end portion 60B of the tube 60 is preferably connected to the cover 14. For this purpose, the second end portion 60B includes a connecting pin 72, and the cover 14 includes a cap 74, as shown in Figures 2 and 6. As can be seen in Figure 2, the pin 72 and the cap 74 have complementary shapes, which allows the pin 72 to be locked into the cap 74. In an alternative embodiment, the tube 60 could also pass through the cover 14, specifically its wall 40. The tube 60 can thus be centered and / or fixed to the cover 14.

[0118] As seen in 1, 2 and 6, the collection space 54A further includes an overflow conduit 76. One end of the overflow conduit 76 is connected to the discharge outlet 28. The overflow conduit 76 therefore communicates fluidly with the discharge outlet 28. This discharge outlet includes a fitting 28A which allows a conduit (not shown) to be connected to the manifold 10, communicating the manifold 10 with the outside of the turbomachine.

[0119] A second end of the overflow conduit 76 includes an inlet 78 for the liquid collected in the collection space 54A. The inlet 78 is arranged vertically at a height relative to the bottom wall 16 of the collector that is between the height of the restrictor 58 and the balancing orifice(s) 70. When the restrictor 58 includes several orifices as explained previously, the inlet 78 is arranged vertically at a height between the orifice of the restrictor 58 that is furthest vertically from the bottom wall 16 and the balancing orifice(s) 70. The height of the inlet 78 defines a level referred to as the "overflow level".

[0120] In the figures, the overflow conduit 76 extends along the Z direction, but any other shape of the overflow conduit is possible provided that the inlet 78 is disposed in the collection space 54A and the first end of the overflow conduit 76 is fluidly connected to the discharge outlet 28.

[0121] The operation of collector 10 in service will now be described.

[0122] Initially, the drained liquid enters the collection space 54A through one of the inlets 54A. The height of the drained liquid in the collection space 54A gradually increases. The height of the drained liquid is measured vertically from the bottom wall 16 of the collector 10.

[0123] When the drained liquid reaches the height of the restriction means 58, the liquid begins to flow from the collection space 54A to the transfer space 54B through the restriction means 58. The drained liquid therefore begins to exit the collector 10 via the recovery outlet 30.

[0124] If the flow rate of drained fluid entering the collection space 54A is greater than the flow rate of drained fluid flowing through the restriction means 58, the height of the drained fluid in the cavity exceeds the height of the restriction means 58 and may reach the overflow level. In this case, the drained fluid also begins to flow through the overflow conduit 76 towards the discharge outlet 28. The drained fluid is thus discharged outside the turbomachine, which may indicate a turbomachine failure.

[0125] The present invention also relates to a turbomachine, such as a turbojet or turboprop, comprising at least one manifold 10 as described above.

[0126] It should be noted that, thanks to the pressure equalization between the collection space and the transfer space, in the collector described above, the pressure difference across the means restricting the flow of the drained liquid depends solely on the height of the drained liquid collected in the collection space 54A. The operating conditions of the collector, such as the increase in air pressure in the internal cavity 54 of the collector 10 or the inlet flow rate of drained liquid into the internal cavity 54, as well as the installation conditions of the collector 10, for example the length of the piping at the collector outlet, therefore have no impact on the pressure difference across the flow restrictor means 58.

[0127] Furthermore, since the pressure difference across the flow restriction means 58 is independent of the installation conditions of the manifold 10 and its operating conditions, particularly the air pressure in the internal cavity 54, it is possible to control the flow rate of drained liquid beyond which it overflows through the overflow conduit 76. This therefore makes it possible to control a drained liquid leakage threshold beyond which the turbomachine failure is detected by the overflow of the drained liquid through the overflow conduit 76.

[0128] This disclosure is not limited to the collector examples described above, which are merely illustrative, but encompasses all the variations that a person skilled in the art might consider in the context of the desired protection.

Claims

Demands

1. A collector (10) for a drained fluid for an aircraft turbomachine, the collector comprising: - an internal cavity (54) comprising a first space (54A) for collecting the drained liquid and a second space (54B) for transferring the collected liquid to a recovery outlet (30), the internal cavity extending longitudinally in a first direction (Z) between a first end closed by a bottom wall (16) of the collector and a second end closed by a cover (14) of the collector; - at least one inlet (44) of the drained fluid communicating fluidly with the first space; and - at least one recovery outlet (30) communicating fluidly with the second space; in which the first space (54A) and the second space (54B) are separated from each other by a liquid-tight partition (56) in which is disposed a means for restricting the passage (58) of the drained liquid from the first space to the second space, the means for restricting the passage comprising at least one orifice (58A), and in which the means for restricting the passage (58) of the drained liquid is mounted removably relative to the collector (10) by moving the means for restricting the passage (58) of the drained liquid along the first direction (Z) in the direction from the bottom wall (16) of the collector to the cover (14) of the collector.

2. Collector (10) according to claim 1, in which the partition (56) forms a tube (60) mounted removably relative to the collector (10) by displacement of the tube along the first direction (Z) in the direction extending from the bottom wall (16) of the collector (10) to the cover (14) of the collector.

3. Collector (10) according to claim 2, wherein the tube (60) comprises a first end part (60A) directly connected to the bottom wall (16) of the collector and a second end part (60B) connected to the cover (14) of the collector.

4. Collector (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the means for restricting the passage (58) of the drained liquid is included in the first end portion (60A) of the tube, at a height located above the level of an inner face (20) of the bottom wall (16) of the collector.

5. Manifold (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first end portion (60A) of the tube comprises an insertion portion (62) inserted into a housing in the bottom wall (16) of the manifold.

6. Collector (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first end portion (60A) comprises a stop member (68) on the bottom wall (16), such as a collar, projecting radially outwards from the tube (60) relative to the insertion portion (62), the stop member (68) being arranged between the means for restricting the passage (58) of the drained liquid and the insertion portion (62).

7. Manifold (10) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the insertion portion (62) of the first end portion of the tube (60) comprises an annular groove (64) in which is mounted an annular sealing gasket (66) bearing against an annular surface opposite the housing.

8. Manifold (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the second end portion (60B) of the tube comprises at least one pressure balancing orifice (70) passing through the tube between the first space (54A) and the second space (54B) of the internal cavity (54).

9. Manifold (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the second end part (60B) comprises a connecting pin (72) of the tube to the cover (14) of the manifold.

10. Collector (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cover (14) of the collector includes a cap (74) having a shape complementary to the shape of the connecting pin (72) of the tube (60).

11. Turbomachine, such as a turbojet or turboprop, comprising at least one manifold (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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