A fixer

Abstract

The present invention relates to at least one structural part (2) in an air vehicle; a cut-out (3) located on the structural part (2); a fluid-containing tube (4) passing through the cut-out (3); a holder (5) that allows the tube (4) passing through the cut-out (3) to be fixed to the structural part (2); a fastener (6) that allows the tube (4) to be connected to the holder (5).

Description

[0001] A FIXER

[0002] This invention relates to fixation of tubes and / or pipes provided in an air vehicle for carrying a fluid therein.

[0003] Fluid is carried in pipes and / or tubes in systems such as fuel systems, hydraulic systems, and air conditioning systems in air vehicles. Routes and tubes of fluid systems must be fixed to the structure at regular intervals due to vibration requirements. Since these fixing points are close to the structure, they are riveted to the structure by means of sheet metal parts (e.g. brackets) around the structure holes. For the production of brackets, metal bending machines, metal cutting machines, deburring workshops and paint workshops are used. In addition, for the assembly of these parts, the technician makes manual measurements in the assembly area, provides markings, then performs a drilling process with a drill, and installs the rivets.

[0004] CA2923147A1 , which is included in the known-state of the art, discloses an apparatus that contributes to passage of a pipe through a gap in the structural part in a dimension determined by the user or manufacturer, thereby fixing it on the structural part. In said document, the apparatus is placed on the structural part by means of an adhesive and supported by a fastener, such as a screw.

[0005] Thanks to a fixer according to the present invention, pipes and / or tubes in air vehicles can be easily fixed to the structure without a need to make any permanent modifications, such as drilling holes on the structure.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight fixer that can be produced quickly and easily for fixing fluid-containing tubes in air vehicles to the structure.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to fix the fluid-containing tubes in air vehicles without drilling holes in the structural part during the maintenance and / or disassembly process, and without the resulting notch effect. The fixer realized to achieve the object of the invention, which is illustrated in the first claim and other claims dependent thereon, comprises at least one structural part in the air vehicle; a cut-out located on the structural part. A fluid-containing tube passes through the cut-out in systems such as the fuel system, hydraulic system, and air conditioning system. The tube is fixed to the structural part by means of a holder. To fix the tube to the structural part, the tube is connected to the holder by a fastener.

[0008] The fixer according to the invention comprises an apparatus that fits into the cut-out with a tight fit. The apparatus almost completely surrounds an inner wall of the cut-out, and is located on the holder. Thanks to the apparatus, while the tube is fixed to the structural part, there is no permanent modification and / or hole drilling process on the structural part. Thus, holes and / or notches that may cause problems in the structural part in tooling, disassembly and / or maintenance operations are not formed. There is a support on the holder, which is connected to the apparatus and contacts the structural part. The support is located to extend outward from the structural part. There is a fastener to connect the tube passing through the cut-out to the support.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer comprises a flange located on the holder in connection with the apparatus. The flange contacts the structural part and thus enables the holder to be fixed on the structural part when the apparatus is passed through the cutout.

[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer comprises the apparatus, support and flange that are produced integrally. The apparatus, support and flange together constitute the holder. The apparatus passes through the cut-out, in contact with a wall of the cut-out. The flange is integrated with the apparatus and contacts the structural part. The support contacts another side of the structural part. By contacting both the support and the flange with the structural part, the holder is fixed on the structural part. In addition, the support allows the tube to be fixed to the structural part. In this way, the tube exposed to vibrations passes through the structural part without being damaged.

[0011] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer comprises a rear surface and a front surface that are provided on the structural part. The tube passes through the cut-out, from the rear surface to the front surface. The apparatus is inserted through the rear surface so as to be attached to the cut-out, and extends from the rear surface to the front surface. The support is glued to the rear surface. Thanks to the holder, the support is located firmly on the structural part.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer comprises the apparatus in C-shape. The cutouts on the structural part are preferably in circular form. The air vehicle has multiple tubes of standard diameters predetermined by the manufacturer. According to standard tube diameters, cut-outs with a tolerance value predetermined by the manufacturer are provided on the structural part, so that said tubes can pass. There is a distance and a space between one end and the other end of the apparatus, which is in C form formcompatible with the cut-out and fits tightly into the cut-out. Thus, the apparatus can both reduce the moments thereon, and the tube can easily pass through the cut-out. Thanks to the form of the apparatus, both ease of assembly is provided, and the apparatus can be easily passed through the cut-out. Tubes of different diameters can also pass through the cut-out.

[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer comprises a fixing element that enables the holder to be fixed on the structural part so as not to be affected by vibrations. One surface of the fixing element fits tightly onto the apparatus and the other surface onto the structural part.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer comprises a stopper attached to the apparatus. The stopper prevents the fixing element from moving out of the apparatus.

[0015] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer comprises a fixing element adhered to the apparatus by means of an adhesive, with one surface on the apparatus and the other surface on the structural part. The adhering process is carried out with standard qualified adhesives used in air vehicles. Therefore, the holder is fixed on the structural part.

[0016] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer comprises the apparatus passed through the cut-out, so as to be coaxial therewith. The cut-out and the apparatus have almost the same diameter, so that the apparatus contacts the inner wall of the cut-out and fits tightly into the cut-out. In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer comprises the holder made of a polymer material with additive manufacturing. Thanks the polymer material, the risk of fire that may occur due to the distance between the tube and the structural part while the tube passes through the cut-out in the event of a possible lightning strike, is prevented. Further, while producing the holder, possible cases, such as foreign object damage occurring inside the air vehicle and complex assembly steps, are prevented.

[0017] The fixer realized to achieve the object of the present invention is illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fixer.

[0019] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the holder.

[0020] Figure 3 is a rear view of the structural part when the holder is attached to the structural part.

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the structural part and tube.

[0022] All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

[0023] 1. Fixer

[0024] 2. Structural part

[0025] 201. Rear surface

[0026] 202. Front surface

[0027] 3. Cut-out

[0028] 4. Tube

[0029] 5. Holder

[0030] 501. Apparatus

[0031] 502. Support

[0032] 503. Flange

[0033] 6. Fastener

[0034] 7. Fixing element

[0035] 8. Stopper

[0036] The fixer (1) comprises at least one structural part (2) in an air vehicle; a cut-out (3) located on the structural part (2); a fluid-containing tube (4) passing through the cut-out (3); a holder (5) that allows the tube (4) passing through the cut-out (3) to be fixed to the structural part (2); a fastener (6) that allows the tube (4) to be connected to the holder (5).

[0037] The fixer (1) according to the invention comprises an apparatus (501) which is located on the holder (5) to at least partially surround an inner wall of the cut-out (3), and is attached to the cut-out (3) with a tight fit, thus allowing the tube (4) to be fixed to the structural part (2); a support (502) located on the holder (5) in connection with the apparatus (501) and in contact with the structural part (2), so as to extend outwards from the structural part (2); the fastener (6) that allows the tube (4) to be connected to the support (502).

[0038] There are fluid-containing systems in the air vehicles, such as a fuel system or an air conditioning system. In these systems, the fluid is transported in tubes (4). The tube (4) passes through the cut-out (3) provided on the structural part (2) in the air vehicle. The tube (4) must be fixed to the structural part (2) against the vibrations that occur while the air vehicle is in motion. The tube (4) is fixed to the structural part (2) by means of the holder (5). The tube is connected to the holder (5) by means of a fastener (6) (Figure - 1, Figure - 3, Figure - 4).

[0039] The apparatus (501) is attached to the cut-out (3) with a tight fit. Thus, permanent modifications, such as drilling and / or riveting, on the structural part (2) are prevented. The apparatus (501) contacts the inner wall of the cut-out (2) and surrounds the inner wall of the cut-out (2). The apparatus (501) is located on the holder (5). There is a support (502) located on the holder (5), in connection with the apparatus (501). The holder (5) contacts the structural part (2) via the support (502). The contact of the support (502) with the structural part (2) allows the holder (5) to be placed on the structural part (2) so as to be affected by the vibrations minimally. The support (502) is located to extend outwards from the structural part (2). The tube (4) passing through the cut-out (3) contacts the support (502) at least partially, and a fastener (6) is provided for the connection thereof to the support (502). The fastener (6) is preferably in the form of a clamp. The tubes (4) are located in the air vehicle on routes predetermined by the manufacturer, and must be fixed at points predetermined by the manufacturer. The tubes (4) are fixed to the supports (502) at regular predetermined intervals by means of the clamp-shaped fasteners (6). In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer (1) comprises a flange (503) located on the holder (5) in connection with the apparatus (501), contacting the structural part (2), thus enabling the holder (5) to be fixed on the structural part (2). The flange (503) extends outward from the apparatus (501) and contacts the structural part (2) from the surface it extends.

[0040] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer (1) comprises the apparatus (501), support (502) and flange (503) that are produced integrally. The apparatus (501), support (502) and flange (503) constitute the holder (5). The apparatus (501) passes through the cut-out (3) and surrounds the inner wall of the cut-out (3). The flange (502) extends outward from the apparatus (501). A surface of the flange (502) connected to the apparatus (501) is fixed to the structural part (2). The support (503) contacts the structural part (2) from a different surface than the flange (502). Thus, effective fixation is provided against vibrations that will occur when the holder (5) is on the structural part (2) (Figure - 2).

[0041] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer (1) comprises a rear surface (201) located on the structural part (2) and a front surface (202) to which the tube (4) extends from the rear surface (201) through the cut-out (3); the apparatus (501) passed through the cut-out (3) so as to protrude from the rear surface (201) to the front surface (202); the support (502) that is adhered on the rear surface (201), thus allowing the holder (5) to be fixed to the structural part (2). The tube (4) passes through the cut-out (3) from the rear surface (201) to the front surface (202). The apparatus (501) passes through the rear surface (201) to extend towards the front surface (202). The support (502) is adhered on the rear surface (201).

[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer (1) comprises the apparatus (501) in a C- form, thus allowing tubes (4) of different diameters to pass through the cut-out (3). The cut-outs (3) on the structural part (2) are preferably in circular form. In the air vehicle, cutouts (3) are provided on the structural part (2) according to the tubes (4) of standard diameters predetermined by the manufacturer, with tolerance values suitable for passing the tubes (4) therethrough. Thanks to the apparatus (501) in C-form that fits into the cutout (3), ease of assembly is provided and the apparatus (501) can be easily passed through the cut-out (3). Tubes (4) of different diameters can pass through the cut-out (3). In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer (1) comprises a fixing element (7) which is attached to the apparatus (501) with a tight fit, with one surface on the apparatus (501) and the other surface on the structural part (2), thereby enabling the holder (5) to be fixed to the structural part (2). There is a fixing element (7) that enables the holder (5) to be rigid on the structural part (2). One surface of the fixing element (7) fits tightly onto the apparatus (501) and the other surface onto the structural part (2).

[0043] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer (1) comprises a stopper (8) attached on the apparatus (501) for limiting a movement of the fixing element (7) on the apparatus (501). Thanks to the stopper (8), the fixing element (7) is prevented from moving out of the apparatus (501).

[0044] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer (1) comprises the fixing element (7) which is adhered to the apparatus (501) by means of an adhesive, with one surface on the apparatus (501) and the other surface on the structural part (2), thus enabling the holder (5) to be fixed on the structural part (2).

[0045] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer (1) comprises the apparatus (501) passed through the cut-out, so as to be coaxial with the cut-out (3). The apparatus (501) contacts the inner wall of the cut-out (3) and surrounds the inner wall of the cut-out (3).

[0046] In an embodiment of the invention, the fixer (1) comprises the holder (5) made of a polymer material by additive manufacturing. The holder (5) is produced by additive manufacturing. Thus, it can be easily produced within the air vehicle without using machining or sheet metal production methods. Moreover, ease of assembly is enabled, with no permanent modifications (holes, rivets, etc.) in the structural part.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fixer (1) comprising at least one structural part (2) in an air vehicle; a cut-out (3) located on the structural part (2); a fluid-containing tube (4) passing through the cut-out (3); a holder (5) that allows the tube (4) passing through the cut-out (3) to be fixed to the structural part (2); a fastener (6) that allows the tube (4) to be connected to the holder (5), characterized by an apparatus (501) which is located on the holder (5) to at least partially surround an inner wall of the cut-out (3), and is attached to the cut-out (3) with a tight fit, thus allowing the tube (4) to be fixed to the structural part (2); a support (502) located on the holder (5) in connection with the apparatus (501) and in contact with the structural part (2), so as to extend outwards from the structural part (2); the fastener (6) that allows the tube (4) to be connected to the support (502).

2. A fixer (1) according to claim 1 , characterized by a flange (503) located on the holder (5) in connection with the apparatus (501), contacting the structural part (2), thus enabling the holder (5) to be fixed on the structural part (2).

3. A fixer (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the apparatus (501), support (502) and flange (503) that are produced integrally.

4. A fixer (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by a rear surface (201) located on the structural part (2) and a front surface (202) to which the tube (4) extends from the rear surface (201) through the cut-out (3); the apparatus (501) passed through the cut-out (3) so as to protrude from the rear surface (201) to the front surface (202); the support (502) that is adhered on the rear surface (201), thus allowing the holder (5) to be fixed to the structural part (2).

5. A fixer (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the apparatus (501) in a C-form, thus allowing tubes (4) of different diameters to pass through the cut-out (3).

6. A fixer (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by a fixing element (7) which is attached to the apparatus (501) with a tight fit, with one surface on theapparatus (501) and the other surface on the structural part (2), thereby enabling the holder (5) to be fixed to the structural part (2).

7. A fixer (1) according to claim 6, characterized by a stopper (8) attached on the apparatus (501) for limiting a movement of the fixing element (7) on the apparatus(501).

8. A fixer (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the fixing element (7) which is adhered to the apparatus (501) by means of an adhesive, with one surface on the apparatus (501) and the other surface on the structural part (2), thus enabling the holder (5) to be fixed on the structural part (2).

9. A fixer (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the apparatus (501) passed through the cut-out, so as to be coaxial with the cut-out (3).

10. A fixer (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the holder (5) made of a polymer material by additive manufacturing.

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