Double duct assembly with leak management, associated methods and computer program product

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (10) comprising a primary duct (12) delimiting a primary passage (18) for the circulation of a fluid, a secondary duct (14) delimiting a secondary passage (22), and an interface (16). The secondary duct (14) surrounds the primary duct (12) such that the primary duct (12) extends inside the secondary passage (22). The interface (16) extends between the primary duct (12) and the secondary duct (14), connects the primary duct (12) and the secondary duct (14), and forms a structure that does not fill the space between the primary duct (12) and the secondary duct (14). The secondary duct (14) has at least one through-opening (26) for discharging fluid in the event of a leak from the primary duct (12).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Dual conduit assembly with leak management, processes and product - associated computer program

[0003] The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a primary conduit, the primary conduit delimiting a primary passage for the circulation of a fluid.

[0004] The invention further relates to a method of use, a method of manufacture and an associated computer program product.

[0005] The use of conduits for fluid circulation is well known.

[0006] To limit the risk of leakage, one solution is to create a very thick conduit.

[0007] This is particularly important when the duct is used for fluid circulation in protected areas, that is, in areas where it is not desired for the fluid to circulate. For example, a duct might be used for water circulation in an area containing electronics, or for the circulation of a gas other than air in an area where operators are likely to work.

[0008] However, such a duct is oversized to address this issue and is therefore heavy, and is not designed to meet other criteria, for example, to have particular insulation or thermal coupling.

[0009] The aim of the invention is therefore to provide an assembly that allows the passage of fluid and limits the risks associated with leaks.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to an assembly comprising a primary conduit, the primary conduit delimiting a primary passage for the circulation of a fluid, characterized in that the assembly comprises a secondary conduit and an interface, the secondary conduit delimiting a secondary passage, the secondary conduit surrounding the primary conduit so that the primary conduit extends into the secondary passage, the interface extending between the primary conduit and the secondary conduit, the interface connecting the primary conduit and the secondary conduit, the interface forming a structure not filling the entire space between the primary conduit and the secondary conduit, the secondary conduit having at least one through orifice for the evacuation of fluid in the event of a leak in the primary conduit.

[0011] The presence of the through-hole allows for controlled drainage of any fluid leaks from the primary line into the secondary line. This can be achieved, for example, by venting the fluid outside a protected area, if necessary, or by directly addressing the leak at the hole, without needing to locate the leak. This ensures controlled management in the event of a leak, preventing the primary line from being oversized to avoid any risk of leakage. Furthermore, the secondary line protects the primary line. In addition, the interface provides thermal coupling between the primary and secondary lines, and can be configured to offer a desired degree of coupling or thermal insulation.

[0012] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the assembly comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0013] - the assembly is configured to extend at least partially into a so-called protected space, with at least one through-orifice being configured to open out of the secondary conduit outside the protected space and / or at least one through-orifice being connected to a fitting, the fitting being configured to open out of the protected space;

[0014] - the interface includes, more specifically is made up of, a lattice or rib structure;

[0015] - the whole thing is manufactured by additive manufacturing;

[0016] - the interface is rigid, more specifically the interface, the primary conduit and the secondary conduit are rigid;

[0017] - the assembly includes at least one elbow; and / or

[0018] - the interface, the primary conduit and the secondary conduit are made of one piece.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method of using the assembly described above, comprising the steps of:

[0020] - supply of a set, and

[0021] - fluid circulation in the primary conduit, the fluid being evacuated from the secondary conduit at the level of at least one through orifice in case of leakage of the fluid from the primary conduit into the secondary conduit.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an assembly as described above, comprising an additive manufacturing step of said assembly.

[0023] The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising software instructions which, when executed by a system comprising a computer and an additive manufacturing device, implement a manufacturing process for the assembly.

[0024] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0025] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an example assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, and [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a front cross-sectional view along plane II of the assembly of Figure 1.

[0026] An example of assembly 10 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0027] The assembly 10 includes a primary conduit 12, a secondary conduit 14 and an interface 16.

[0028] The primary conduit 12 delimits a primary passage 18 for the circulation of a fluid.

[0029] The primary conduit 12 has a passage section of the desired shape, for example circular, oval or rectangular.

[0030] The primary conduit 12 is, for example, rigid.

[0031] In the example shown, the primary conduit 12 has at least one bend 20, that is to say that the primary conduit 12 is not a straight conduit.

[0032] The primary conduit 12 presents, for example, a central extension curve D.

[0033] The central extension curve D is defined as the imaginary line representing the median trajectory of the primary conduit. This corresponds to the curve that passes through the geometric centers of the conduit sections along the length of the primary passage 18.

[0034] The central extension curve D is not a straight line here.

[0035] More specifically, the central extension curve D extends in a frame comprising at least two dimensions, here two dimensions.

[0036] In an embodiment not shown, the central extension curve D extends in a three-dimensional coordinate system and is not contained in a plane. The primary conduit 12 then comprises, for example, at least two bends, the bends not extending in the same plane.

[0037] Secondary conduit 14 delimits a secondary passage 22.

[0038] The secondary conduit 14, for example, has a passage section of the same shape as that of the primary conduit 12.

[0039] The secondary conduit 14 surrounds the primary conduit 12, so that the primary conduit 12 extends into the secondary passage 22.

[0040] More specifically, the secondary conduit 14 forms a conduit around the primary conduit 12, so that the secondary conduit 14 follows the shape of the primary conduit 12.

[0041] Secondary conduit 14 has a curvature similar to that of primary conduit 12.

[0042] The secondary conduit 14 includes, for example, here, a secondary central extension curve, the secondary central extension curve being included in the primary passage 18. Here, the secondary central extension curve coincides with the central extension curve D of the primary conduit 12.

[0043] The secondary conduit 14 has, for example, at least one bend 24, more particularly as many bend(s) as the primary conduit has bend(s) 20.

[0044] At least one elbow 24 of the secondary conduit 14 is arranged opposite a respective elbow of at least one elbow 20 of the primary conduit.

[0045] In the example shown, the primary conduit 12 delimits a single fluidic path. The primary conduit 12 does not have any branches.

[0046] In an embodiment not shown, the primary conduit 12 includes at least one branch between different branches of the primary conduit. The secondary conduit 14 then includes, for example, as many branches as the primary conduit 12. The secondary conduit 14 then includes, for example, a plurality of branches, each branch of the primary conduit being surrounded by a branch of the secondary conduit. Alternatively, the secondary conduit 14 does not include as many branches, and forms, for example, a sheath surrounding all the branches of the primary conduit.

[0047] The secondary conduit 14 is, for example, rigid

[0048] The secondary conduit 14 has at least one through orifice 26 for the evacuation of fluid in case of fluid leakage from the primary conduit 12 into the secondary conduit 14.

[0049] Interface 16 extends between primary conduit 12 and secondary conduit 14, interface 16 connecting primary conduit 12 and secondary conduit 14.

[0050] Interface 16 forms a structure that does not fill the entire space between the primary conduit and the secondary conduit.

[0051] The space between the primary duct and the secondary duct is, for example, at least 60% empty, more specifically between 80% and 90% empty.

[0052] In other words, the interface fills less than 40%, more specifically between 10% and 20% of the space between the primary and secondary conduits.

[0053] Thus, interface 16 forms a hollow structure between the primary conduit and the secondary conduit, that is to say, it forms a structure with hollows between the primary conduit and the secondary conduit.

[0054] Interface 16 includes, for example, more specifically consists of, a lattice structure.

[0055] A lattice structure is defined here as a structure composed of nodes and material links between these nodes. Alternatively, the interface comprises, for example, or more specifically, is made up of ribs.

[0056] The type of structure and the number of elements of the structure (or element density) of interface 16 are, for example, dimensioned to achieve a desired thermal fault.

[0057] In particular, if we wish to thermally insulate the fluid contained in the primary passage from an ambient environment surrounding the secondary conduit, then we reduce the quantity of material constituting the interface 16; and if we wish to promote heat exchange between the two, we add material forming the interface 16 and linking the primary conduit 12 and the secondary conduit 14.

[0058] Interface 16, for example, is rigid.

[0059] The assembly 10 includes, for example, at least one elbow, corresponding to at least one elbow 20 of the primary conduit 12 and at least one corresponding elbow 24 of the secondary conduit 14.

[0060] Set 10 is advantageously manufactured by additive manufacturing.

[0061] The interface 16, the primary conduit 12 and the secondary conduit 14 are, for example, made of one piece, i.e. monobloc.

[0062] In a particular embodiment, the interface 16, the primary conduit 12 and the secondary conduit 14 are made of a single material, for example steel or aluminium or polymer, for example here aluminium.

[0063] Alternatively, the interface 16, the primary conduit 12, and the secondary conduit 14 are made of different materials. The primary conduit 12 is made of a first material, the secondary conduit 14 is made of a second material, and the interface is made of a third material, with at least two of the first, second, and third materials being different from each other.

[0064] The interface 16, the primary conduit 12 and the secondary conduit 14 are then made of two or three materials, here, for example, by additive manufacturing with the corresponding materials.

[0065] This allows in particular the choice of materials according to the desired properties of each part of the assembly 10 among the primary conduit 12, the secondary conduit 14 and the interface 16.

[0066] The primary duct 12 is, for example, made of a material primarily chosen for its resistance to overpressure, and secondarily for other desirable properties such as the duct's intended thickness, its stiffness-to-mass ratio, or its thermal conductivity. The primary duct 12 is, for example, made of steel or aluminum. The secondary duct 14 is, for example, made of a material chosen, for example, for its thermal conductivity or its stiffness-to-mass ratio. The secondary duct 14 is, for example, made of metal or a metal alloy to promote thermal conduction, or of a polymer to promote thermal insulation.

[0067] Set 10 extends, for example, at least partially into a so-called protected area 28.

[0068] The presence of any fluid passing through the primary passage is, for example, not desired in the protected space 28.

[0069] At least one through orifice 26 opens, for example, out of the secondary conduit 14 outside the protected space 28.

[0070] In the example shown, set 10 extends only partially into protected space 28, with part of set 10 not extending into protected space 28.

[0071] The portion of the secondary conduit 16 delimiting at least one through orifice 26 does not extend into the protected space 28.

[0072] Thus, in the event of a leak of fluid in the primary line to the secondary line, the fluid is evacuated through at least one orifice passing through 26 outside the protected space 28.

[0073] This allows for leak management.

[0074] Alternatively or additionally, at least one through-hole is connected to a fitting, the fitting opening outside the protected space.

[0075] The fitting extends, for example, between two ends, one end being connected to at least one through-hole and the other end opening outside the protected space.

[0076] In the case of multiple through-holes, for example, as many fittings as through-holes are provided, each through-hole being connected to a corresponding fitting. Alternatively, fewer fittings than through-holes are provided, with at least one fitting comprising n+1 ends being connected to n through-holes, n being a natural number greater than 2, one end opening outside the protected space, and each of the other ends being connected to a respective through-hole.

[0077] At least one through orifice is fluidly connected to a fitting in a sealed manner, the fitting opening outside the protected space, for example into a tank, for example closed apart from the opening for connection of the fitting.

[0078] Thus, in the event of a fluid leak from the primary line to the secondary line, the fluid is discharged through at least one through-hole 26 in the fitting, and then outside the protected area, for example, into the closed tank. This allows for leak management.

[0079] Alternatively, only a small amount of fluid passing through the primary passage is tolerated in the protected space.

[0080] If necessary, leak management is likely to be carried out according to the two variants described above.

[0081] Alternatively, at least one through-hole 26 opens into the protected space 28. The assembly 10 is equipped with a leak detection system, for example, a leak sensor at least at the level of at least one through-hole. The leak detection system is capable of sending an alert or alarm signal to indicate the presence of a leak.

[0082] Thus, in the event of a fluid leak in the primary line to the secondary line, the leak is detected and reported.

[0083] This allows intervention directly at the level of at least one through orifice, without requiring the search for the location of the initial leak along the primary conduit, so that this intervention can be carried out quickly.

[0084] In one particular example, the protected space is the inside of an electronic enclosure, the fluid being a cooling fluid, for example water.

[0085] The assembly is, for example, only partially within the electronic enclosure, with at least one through-hole opening outside the electronic enclosure.

[0086] Additionally or alternatively, at least one through-hole is connected to a fitting, so that any fluid flowing in the secondary conduit as a result of a leak from the primary conduit is discharged outside the electronic enclosure via the fitting.

[0087] The invention further relates to a method of using the assembly as described above.

[0088] The usage process includes the following steps:

[0089] - provision of a set as described above, and

[0090] - fluid circulation in the primary conduit, the fluid being evacuated from the secondary conduit at the level of at least one through orifice in case of leakage of the fluid from the primary conduit into the secondary conduit.

[0091] In the event of a leak, at least one through-hole allows for leak management, as described above. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an assembly as described above, comprising an additive manufacturing step for said assembly, more particularly using an additive manufacturing device.

[0092] The invention further relates to a computer program product comprising software instructions which, when executed by a system comprising a computer and an additive manufacturing device, implement a manufacturing process for the assembly as described above.

[0093] The computer is an electronic circuit designed to manipulate and / or transform data represented by electronic or physical quantities in registers of the computer and / or memories into other similar data corresponding to physical data in register memories or other types of display devices, transmission devices or storage devices.

[0094] The computer is capable of sending a control signal to the additive manufacturing device.

[0095] As specific examples, the computer is implemented as a programmable logic component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0096] Alternatively, when the process is implemented as one or more software programs, that is, as a computer program, also called a computer program product, it is also capable of being stored on a computer-readable medium, not shown here. A computer-readable medium is, for example, a medium capable of storing electronic instructions and being connected to a bus of a computer system. Examples of such a readable medium include an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, ROM, RAM, any type of non-volatile memory (e.g., FLASH or NVRAM), or a magnetic card. A computer program containing software instructions is then stored on this readable medium.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Assembly (10) comprising a primary conduit (12), the primary conduit (12) delimiting a primary passage (18) for the circulation of a fluid, characterized in that the assembly (10) comprises a secondary conduit (14) and an interface (16), the secondary conduit (14) delimiting a secondary passage (22), the secondary conduit (14) surrounding the primary conduit (12) so that the primary conduit (12) extends into the secondary passage (22), the interface (16) extending between the primary conduit (12) and the secondary conduit (14), the interface (16) connecting the primary conduit (12) and the secondary conduit (14), the interface (16) forming a structure not filling the entire space between the primary conduit (12) and the secondary conduit (14), the secondary conduit (14) having at least one through orifice (26) for the evacuation of fluid in the event of a leak from the primary conduit (12).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly (10) is configured to extend at least partially into a so-called protected space (28), the at least one through orifice (26) being configured to open out of the secondary conduit (14) outside the protected space (28) and / or the at least one through orifice (26) being connected to a fitting, the fitting being configured to open out of the protected space (28).

3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interface (16) comprises, more particularly is made of, a lattice or rib structure.

4. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the assembly (10) is manufactured by additive manufacturing.

5. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the interface (16) is rigid, more particularly the interface (16), the primary conduit (12) and the secondary conduit (14) are rigid.

6. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the assembly (10) comprises at least one elbow (20, 24).

7. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the interface (16), the primary conduit (12) and the secondary conduit (14) are made of one piece.

8. A method for using the assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps of: - supplying an assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and - fluid circulation in the primary conduit (12), the fluid being evacuated from the secondary conduit (14) at the level of at least one through orifice (26) in case of leakage of the fluid from the primary conduit (12) into the secondary conduit (14).

9. Method of manufacturing an assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising an additive manufacturing step of said assembly (10).

10. Computer program product comprising software instructions which, when executed by a system comprising a computer and an additive manufacturing device, implement a manufacturing process for the assembly (10) according to claim 9.

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