COLLECTOR FOR DRAINED LIQUID FOR AIRCRAFT TURBOMACHINE AND ASSOCIATED TURBOMACHINE

Abstract

A drained fluid manifold (10) for a turbomachine comprising: - an internal cavity (54) including a first fluid collection space (54A) and a second fluid transfer space (54B), the internal cavity extending longitudinally in a first direction (Z) between a first end closed by a bottom wall (16) of the manifold and a second end closed by a cover (14); and - at least one drained fluid inlet (44); the first and second spaces being separated by a partition (56) in which is disposed a means for restricting the flow (58) of the drained fluid from the first space to the second space, in which the means for restricting the flow (58) of the drained fluid is mounted removably relative to the manifold by displacement in the direction from the bottom wall to the cover of the manifold. (See Figure 2 for more details.)

Description

Title of the invention: COLLECTOR OF A DRAINED LIQUID FOR AN AIRCRAFT TURBOMACHINE AND TURBOMACHINE PARTNER Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of collectors of a drained liquid for an aircraft turbomachine. Prior art

[0002] In a turbomachine, it is often necessary to evacuate liquids of different natures, such as fuel or oil, to prevent these liquids from accumulating and disrupting the nominal operation of the turbomachine. For example, certain engines require drainage operations which result in losses of these liquids.

[0003] In order to recover these liquids, it is known to provide the turbomachine with a drained liquid collector. Such a collector comprises an internal cavity in which the drained liquid from the different parts of the turbomachine is received. The collector further comprises a drained liquid inlet, which connects the exterior of the collector with its internal cavity and an outlet for recovering this liquid. 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, which allows the drained liquid to be reused.

[0005] Conventionally, the recovery outlet is provided with a means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid arranged at the interface between the inside of the collector and the outside of the collector. The passage restriction means forms a nozzle measuring the flow rate of drained liquid leaving the collector through the recovery outlet. The nozzle makes it possible to control the flow rate of drained liquid leaving the collector. In particular, the nozzle provides resistance to the flow of the drained liquid which depends on a pressure difference across the nozzle. Since the nozzle is arranged at the interface between the inside and the outside of the collector, the pressure difference across the nozzle is equivalent to a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the collector.

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

[0007] The pressure difference across the nozzle turns out to depend solely on the amount of liquid collected in the internal cavity of the collector, so that the flow rate of liquid exiting through the nozzle is proportional to the amount of liquid in the collector. Also, if the flow rate of liquid exiting the nozzle is very high, this means that the amount of liquid in the collector is very large, which can help identify a failure of the turbomachine.

[0008] However, it is found that the conditions of use of the collector, such as the increase in air pressure in the internal cavity of the collector or the inlet flow rate of liquid drained into the internal cavity, as well as the installation conditions of the collector, for example the length of the pipes at the outlet of the collector, also have an impact on the pressure difference across the nozzle. Such parameters therefore modify the relationship between the quantity of liquid drained into the internal cavity and the flow rate of drained liquid exiting through the recovery outlet, which can lead to erroneously detecting a failure of the turbomachine or not identifying an actual malfunction thereof.

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

[0010] The present disclosure improves the situation.

[0011] For this purpose, a collector of a drained liquid for an aircraft turbomachine of a first type 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 liquid communicating fluidly with the first space; and - at least one recovery outlet communicating fluidly with the second space; wherein the first space and the second space are separated from each other by a liquid-tight partition in which is disposed a means for restricting the passage of liquid drained from the first space to the second space, the first space communicating with air with the second space so 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 space and in the second space, the pressure difference across the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid depends solely on the height of drained liquid collected in the first space. By "terminals of the passage restriction means" is meant the inlet into the restriction means and the outlet from the restriction means. More precisely, the inlet into the restriction means corresponds to the outlet from the first space, while the outlet from the means restriction corresponds to the entry into the second space.

[0013] By equalizing the pressures in the first space and the second space, other variables, such as increasing air pressure, the flow rate of drained liquid entering the internal cavity or increasing the lengths of the pipes leaving the collector, have no impact on the pressure difference across the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid.

[0014] The present document also relates to a collector of a drained liquid for a second type aircraft turbomachine, 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, 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 liquid communicating fluidly with the first space; and - at least one recovery outlet communicating fluidly with the second space; wherein the first space and the second space are separated from each other by a liquid-tight partition in which is disposed a means for restricting the passage of liquid drained from the first space to the second space wherein the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid is removably mounted relative to the collector by moving the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid in the first direction along the direction from the bottom wall of the collector to the cover of the collector.

[0015] The means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid being mounted removably relative to the collector, it is possible to extract it from the collector to clean it easily as well as to regularly check that it is not clogged.

[0016] Furthermore, the restriction means being extracted from the manifold by moving it in the first direction in the direction going from the bottom wall of the manifold to the cover of the manifold, it is extracted through the second end of the internal cavity, which prevents leaks of the drained liquid through the bottom wall of the manifold. This configuration also avoids the use of seals, for example made of elastomeric material, to ensure the sealing of the bottom wall of the manifold. The resistance of the manifold to an engine floor fire is thus improved.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the partition is a partition removably mounted in the internal cavity of the collector. Alternatively, the partition is a partition irremovably mounted in the internal cavity of the collector, or even formed in one piece with a wall of the internal cavity.

[0018] According to one aspect, the at least one recovery outlet is an outlet connected to a fuel tank of the turbomachine. Alternatively, said at least one recovery outlet is an outlet connected to a recovery box also called an “ecological” box. This ecological box is configured to store the drained liquids when they are not returned to the fuel tank. It is noted that thanks to the identical air pressure in the first space and in the second space, the difference in height between the collector and the fuel tank or the ecological box has no impact on the pressure difference across the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid.

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

[0020] Alternatively, the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid may be an attached nozzle installed in an opening in the partition.

[0021] According to one aspect, the partition is thin-walled. By "thin-walled" is meant that the thickness of the partition is less than 1.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm. In 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 liquid comprises at least two orifices passing through the partition. In this case, in order to maintain the same flow law of the drained liquid between the first and second spaces of the cavity as when the passage restriction means comprises only a single orifice, the orifices of the partition preferably have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the orifice of the partition when the latter is the only one.

[0023] According to one aspect, the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid comprises at least two orifices passing through the partition at different heights. In this case, the filling level of the internal cavity by the drained liquid from which the drained liquid passes through each orifice of the partition is different, the orifices located at a lower height being passed through with a lower filling level than those located higher.

[0024] According to one aspect, the collector further comprises 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 exterior of the turbomachine. The overflow duct has a defined height which makes it possible to determine a filling level of the internal cavity of the collector beyond which the drained liquid flows through the discharge outlet.

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

[0027] The height here means the dimension measured along the longitudinal direction of the collector in its operating position. Depending on the diameter of the orifice of the restriction means and the height of the intake inlet of the overflow pipe, it is possible to determine a threshold of detectability of leaks of liquid drained from the turbomachine beyond which the drained liquid flows through the discharge outlet. When this threshold is exceeded, the quantity of drained liquid which arrives in the internal cavity is very large, which may indicate that a fault exists in the turbomachine.

[0028] According to 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 specifically, 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 outlet for recovering the drained liquid is fluidically connected to the internal cavity of the collector through the bottom wall thereof.

[0031] According to one aspect, the tube extends in a longitudinal direction and comprises a first end portion carrying the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid and a second end portion carrying at least one pressure balancing orifice communicating 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 passage of the drained liquid is therefore arranged close to the bottom wall of the collector so that the drained liquid flows between the first space and the second space with a low filling level by the drained liquid of the first space.

[0033] The at least one pressure balancing orifice allows the first space and the second space of the internal cavity to be communicated to air, thereby equalizing the pressures between the first space and the second space. More specifically, the at least one pressure balancing orifice is sized to ensure that the pressure in the second space is the same as in the first space. According to the invention, a diameter of the at least one pressure balancing orifice is greater than 1.5 mm and less than 3 mm. For example, the diameter of the at least one balancing orifice is 2 mm.

[0034] According to one aspect, the second end portion of the tube comprises at least two pressure balancing ports.

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

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

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

[0038] According to one aspect, the at least one balancing orifice is arranged at a height greater than the height of the inlet for the drained liquid from the overflow conduit. Thus, it is guaranteed that the drained liquid does not pass through the at least one balancing orifice since once the height of the inlet for the drained liquid from the overflow conduit is reached, the drained liquid flows through this overflow conduit towards the discharge outlet of the collector.

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

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

[0041] Furthermore, since the tube is removably mounted, its manufacture is facilitated, even when its wall is thin. By "thin wall" is meant here a wall with a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm.

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

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

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

[0045] The passage restriction means being included in the first end portion of the tube, the drained liquid flows between the first space and the second space with a low filling level by the drained liquid of the first space.

[0046] The passage restriction means being arranged at a height between the bottom wall of the collector and the cover of the collector, it is avoided that it is arranged in an area of ​​accumulation of impurities of the collector. The areas of accumulation of impurities are in particular those included in any housing or cavity provided in the bottom wall of the collector. This reduces the risk of clogging of the passage restriction means.

[0047] According to one aspect, the first end portion of the tube comprises an insertion portion inserted into a housing 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 comprises a stop member on the bottom wall, such as a collar, projecting radially towards the outside of the tube relative to the insertion portion, the stop member being arranged between the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid and the insertion portion.

[0049] The insertion portion of the tube is thus introduced into the housing of the bottom wall of the collector until the stop member of the first end portion of the tube abuts against the bottom wall of the collector. The arrangement of the tube in the internal cavity is thus guided and facilitated. In addition, the stop member being arranged between the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid and the insertion portion, it is ensured that the restriction means is arranged 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 comprises an annular groove in which is mounted an annular sealing gasket bearing on an annular surface facing 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 portion of the tube comprises at least one pressure balancing orifice passing through the tube between the first space and the second space of the internal cavity.

[0053] The at least one balancing orifice communicates the air of the first space with the air of 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 portion comprises a pin for connecting the tube to the cover of the collector.

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

[0056] According to the invention, a length of the flow restriction means is such that it extends from the bottom wall to the cover of the collector. The cap having a shape complementary to the shape of the connecting pin of the tube, a blocking of the second end part in the internal cavity of the collector is ensured. The cap is in particular dimensioned so as to compensate for the play of the second end part, and more precisely, so as to reduce the vibrations of the second end part of the tube which can be caused by the drained liquid collected in the first space of the internal cavity.

[0057] According to one aspect, the collector cover is removable. Extraction of the passage restriction means is thus facilitated.

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

[0059] According to another aspect, a diameter of the passage 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 to go towards the first outlet is thus limited.

[0060] According to another aspect, a 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, there is provided a turbomachine, such as a turbojet or a turboprop, comprising at least one collector of the first type or of the second type as described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0062] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig.l

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

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

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

[0066] [Fig.4] shows a first end portion of the tube of [Fig.3]. Fig. 5

[0067] [Fig.5] shows a second end portion of the tube of [Fig.3]. Fig. 6

[0068] [Fig.6] shows an exploded view of the manifold of [Fig.2]. Description of the embodiments

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

[0070] The body 12 has a cylindrical shape with a substantially vertical axis A1. In the following, “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 dimension are equivalent to the shape and dimension of the cross-section of the body 12. By "transverse" is meant here included in a plane XY perpendicular to the axis AL. The bottom wall 16 comprises an internal face 20 and an external face 22.

[0073] The bottom wall 16 comprises at least a first cavity 24 and a second cavity 26. In the non-limiting examples of FIGS. 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 [Fig. 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 [Fig. 2], the second cavity 26 has a substantially L-shape, with a first portion 26A extending substantially vertically 26, and a second portion 26B extending substantially transversely.

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

[0075] The side wall 18 extends substantially in the vertical direction Z from the internal 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 dimension, 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. According to a non-limiting example, the second end portion 18B of the side wall 18 comprises a free end 19. In other words, the body 12 does not comprise any wall opposite in the Z direction to the bottom wall 16. As visible in [Fig. 6], the second end portion 18B of the side wall 18 may comprise one or more portions 36 projecting transversely towards the outside of the collector from the radially external face 34 of the side wall 18 of the collector 10. In this case, the side wall 18 comprises three portions 36, without this being limiting. Each of the portions 36 comprises a hole 38 shaped to receive a respective removable connecting means 37 of the cover 14 to the body 12, as will be detailed. Each removable connecting means 37 is for example a screw or a rivet.

[0077] The cover 14 comprises a wall 40 intended to come into vertical contact with the bottom wall 16. The external periphery of the wall 40 is intended to come into contact with 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 certain 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 [Fig. 6], three inlets 44 are shown without this being limiting. Each inlet 44 comprises a connector 44A making it possible to connect to the respective inlet 44, a conduit (not illustrated) in which the drained liquid flows until it reaches the collector 10.

[0080] As is clear from [Fig. 6], the wall 40 further comprises one or more portions 46 projecting transversely towards the outside of 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 arranged on the body 12, each portion 46 of the wall 40 is vertically opposite a respective portion 36 of the side wall 18. In [Fig. 6], the wall 40 comprises three portions 46, without this being limiting. Each of the portions 46 comprises a hole 48 shaped to receive the respective removable connecting means 37 of the cover 14 to the body 12, as will be detailed.

[0081] An annular rim 42 intended to come radially opposite 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 perpendicular to this plate 40. The annular rim preferably has a shape complementary to the section of the side wall 18 so that when the cover 14 is arranged on the body 12 of the collector, the annular rim is engaged, for example fitted, inside the body 12, in particular transversely opposite the second end portion 18B of the side wall 18. It is noted that the term “annular” here does not presuppose a circular rim. On the contrary, the term “annular” here relates to any closed shape, regardless of its geometry.

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

[0083] In order to ensure the sealing of the collector 10 when the cover 14 is arranged on the body 12, the annular rim 42 may comprise a groove 50 extending over its entire radially external contour 42A. The groove 50 is in particular shaped to receive a seal 52 whose shape is complementary to the shape of the groove 50.

[0084] As indicated previously, the body 12 and the cover 14 are connected by the removable connection 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 seen in Figures 1 and 2, each inlet 44 of the collector communicates fluidically with the first space 54A. The drained liquid is thus collected initially in the first space 54A, which will also be called the collection space 54A hereinafter.

[0088] The second space 54B communicates fluidically 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. Also, in the following, the second space 54B will also be called the transfer space 54B. The recovery outlet 30 comprises a connector 30A making it possible to connect to the collector 10 a conduit (not illustrated) extending between the collector and another part of the turbomachine, such as the fuel tank or the so-called “ecological” collection box described previously. The drained liquid can thus be recovered from the 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 comprises a passage restriction means 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, without this being limiting. In particular, the restriction means 58 can extend in any direction of the space provided that the entry into the restriction means 58 corresponds to an exit from the collection space 54A and the exit from the restriction means 58 corresponds to an entrance to transfer space 54B.

[0091] The restriction means 58 may comprise an orifice 58A passing through the partition 58 between the collection space 54A and the transfer space 54B. A diameter of the orifice 58A is less than or equal to 1.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm. This makes it possible to guarantee the passage of the drained liquid from the collection space 54A to the transfer space 54B in a controlled manner.

[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 the orifice 58A. Alternatively, each orifice of the partition 56 may have a diameter smaller than that of the 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 the orifice 58A passes through the partition 56. By "flow law of the drained liquid" is meant here the volume of drained liquid which is transferred per unit of time between the collection space 54A and the transfer space 54B.

[0093] When several orifices pass through the partition 56, these 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 drained liquid collected in the collection space must be 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 them.

[0094] According to an alternative embodiment, the restriction means 58 could be an attached 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 arranging the restriction means 58 on an area of ​​accumulation of impurities in which the risk of clogging of the restriction means 58 is increased.

[0096] It is noted that preferably the restriction means 58 is mounted removably relative to the collector by moving the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid in the direction Z in the direction going from the bottom wall 16 of the collector to the cover 14 of the collector. This makes it possible to extract the restriction means 58 from the collector to clean it regularly, so as to reduce the risk of clogging of the restriction means 58. In addition, the restriction means 58 being extracted from its movement in the direction 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 restriction means 58 is extracted from the collector 10. Advantageously, during the extraction of the restriction means 58, the cover 14 is removed from the collector. However, according to a variant not illustrated, the cover 14 may comprise 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 in the Z direction independently of the partition 56 or integrally with this partition 56 as will be detailed.

[0098] In [Fig.l], the partition 56 forms a separation wall extending substantially vertically into the internal cavity 54 from the bottom wall 16 of the collector. The separation wall 56 may be attached to the bottom wall 16, either fixedly or removably. When the separation wall 56 is removably mounted on the bottom wall, the restriction means 58 may be extracted from the collector 10 by vertical displacement of the separation wall 56 in the direction from the bottom wall 16 to the cover 14. Alternatively, the separation wall 56 may be formed in one piece with the bottom wall 16 of the collector.

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

[0100] Advantageously, the separating wall 56 does not extend as far as the cover 14, which allows the collection space 54A to communicate with the air with the transfer space 54B. 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 portion of the separation wall 56 which is connected at its end to the bottom wall 16 of the collector 10.

[0102] In [Fig.2], the partition 56 forms a tube 60. Reference is now made to Figures 3 to 5 to describe the tube 60.

[0103] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the tube 60 extends in a longitudinal direction LL. As can be seen in [Fig.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] The tube 60 is hollow and substantially cylindrical, with a circular or polygonal cross-section.

[0105] The tube 60 comprises a first end portion 60A and a second end portion 60B connected to each other by an intermediate portion 60C.

[0106] Now the first end portion 60A will be described with reference to [Fig.4].

[0107] The first end portion 60A of the tube 60 carries the passage restriction means 58. In the figures, the passage restriction means 58 comprises a single orifice 58A, but it could comprise several orifices or be formed by a nozzle attached to an opening, as indicated previously.

[0108] The first end portion 60A of the tube 60 comprises an insertion portion 62. The insertion portion is shaped to be inserted into a housing in the bottom wall of the collector 16, as seen in [Fig. 2]. The housing in the bottom wall communicates fluidically with the recovery outlet 30. In this case, the housing in the bottom wall 16 corresponds to the first portion 26A of the cavity 26.

[0109] The insertion portion 62 is fitted tightly in the housing 26A. The insertion portion 62 advantageously comprises a groove 64, preferably annular, in which is mounted an annular sealing gasket 66, visible in [Fig. 6]. The gasket 66 ensures the sealing of the mounting of the tube 60 in the housing 26A of the bottom wall 16. In particular, the gasket 66 limits the flow of the drained liquid between the surface of the housing 26A and the insertion portions 62. Alternatively, the sealing of the mounting of the tube may be a facial seal by gasket or by metal-metal contact.

[0110] Preferably, the tube 60 is mounted in the housing 26A in a removable manner. This makes it possible to extract the tube 60 from the internal cavity 54 of the collector 10 by moving it in the direction Z in the direction going from the bottom wall 16 towards the cover 14, as indicated above. It is thus possible to clean the passage restriction means 58 and to monitor that it is not clogged, as also explained above.

[0111] The first end portion 60A further comprises a stop member 68 on the bottom wall 16. The stop member 68 projects radially outwardly from the tube 60 relative to the insertion portion 62. Also, when the insertion portion 62 of the tube 60 is inserted into the housing 26A, the stop member 68 abuts against the internal face of the bottom wall 16. In the figures, the stop member 68 is a collar, but any other shape projecting radially outwardly 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 makes it possible to ensure 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 where impurities accumulate, promoting clogging.

[0113] Now the second end portion 60B of the tube 60 will be described with reference to [Fig.5].

[0114] The second end portion 60B carries at least one pressure balancing orifice 70 communicating 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 portion carries a plurality of balancing orifices 70 distributed equidistantly around the longitudinal direction L1 of the tube 60. For example, the second end portion of the tube 60 carries six balancing orifices 70.

[0116] Each pressure balancing orifice is sized so as to allow the pressure in the collection space 54A to be identical to the pressure in the transfer space 54B. Advantageously, a diameter of each balancing orifice is greater than a diameter of the passage restriction means 58, in particular of the 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 equal to 2 mm.

[0117] In order to avoid the vibratory movements to which the second end portion 60B may be subjected due to the presence of the drained liquid 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 comprises a connecting pin 72, and the cover 14 comprises a cap 74 visible in FIGS. 2 and 6. As is apparent from [Fig. 2], the pin 72 and the cap 74 have complementary shapes, which makes it possible to block the pin 72 in the cap 74. According to a variant, the tube 60 could also pass through the cover 14, in particular the wall 40 thereof. The tube 60 can thus be centered and / or fixed on the cover 14.

[0118] As visible 1, 2 and 6, the collection space 54A further comprises an overflow duct 76. A first end of the overflow duct 76 is connected to the discharge outlet 28. The overflow duct 76 therefore communicates fluidically with the discharge outlet 28. This discharge outlet comprises a connector 28A which makes it possible to connect to the collector 10 a duct (not illustrated) communicating the collector 10 with the exterior of the turbomachine.

[0119] A second end of the overflow conduit 76 comprises an inlet 78 for admitting 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 between the height of the restriction means 58 and the balancing orifice(s). 70. When the restriction means 58 comprises several orifices as explained previously, the intake inlet 78 is arranged vertically at a height between the orifice of the restriction means 58 furthest vertically from the bottom wall 16 and the balancing orifice(s) 70. The height of the intake inlet 78 defines a level called the “overflow level”.

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

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

[0122] Initially, the drained liquid arrives in 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 relative to 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 liquid arriving in the collection space 54A is greater than the flow rate of drained liquid flowing through the restriction means 58, the height of the drained liquid in the cavity exceeds the height of the restriction means 58 and may reach the overflow level. In this case, the drained liquid also begins to flow through the overflow conduit 76 towards the discharge outlet 28. The drained liquid is therefore discharged outside the turbomachine, which may indicate a failure of the turbomachine.

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

[0126] It is noted that thanks to the equalization of pressures between the collection space and the transfer space, in the collector described above the pressure difference across the means for restricting the passage of the drained liquid depends solely on the height of drained liquid collected in the collection space 54A. The conditions of use 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 conditions of installation of the collector 10, for example the length of the pipes at the outlet of the collector, therefore have no impact on the pressure difference across the flow restriction means 58.

[0127] Furthermore, the pressure difference across the flow restriction means 58 being independent of the installation conditions of the collector 10 and the conditions of use thereof, in particular the air pressure in the internal cavity 54, it is possible to control the flow rate of drained liquid beyond which there is overflow of the latter through the overflow pipe 76. This therefore makes it possible to control a threshold of leakage flow rate of drained liquid beyond which the failure of the turbomachine is detected by the overflow of the drained liquid through the overflow pipe 76.

[0128] The present disclosure is not limited to the collector examples described above, only by way of example, but it encompasses all the variants that a person skilled in the art may envisage within the framework of the protection sought.

Claims

Claims

1. Collector (10) of a drained liquid 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 liquid communicating fluidly with the first space; and - at least one recovery outlet (30) communicating fluidly with the second space;wherein the first space (54A) and the second space (54B) are separated from each other by a liquid-tight partition (56) in which is arranged a means (58) for restricting the passage of the liquid drained from the first space to the second space, and wherein the means (58) for restricting the passage of the drained liquid is mounted removably relative to the collector (10) by moving the means (58) for restricting the passage of the drained liquid in the first direction (Z) in the direction going 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) removably mounted relative to the collector (10) by displacement of the tube in 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. A manifold (10) according to claim 2, wherein the tube (60) comprises a first end portion (60A) directly connected to the bottom wall (16) of the manifold and a second end portion (60B) connected to the cover (14) of the manifold.

4. Collector (10) according to the preceding claim, in which 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 situated above the level of an internal face (20) of the bottom wall (16) of the collector.

5. A collector (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 collector.

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

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

8. A manifold (10) according to 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. Collector (10) according to one of claims 3 to 8, in which the second end portion (60B) comprises a connecting pin (72) of the tube to the cover (14) of the collector.

10. Collector (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the cover (14) of the collector comprises 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 a turboprop, comprising at least one manifold (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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