Turbofan Fluid Coupling with External Leak Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid conduit couplings in turbofan gas turbine engines are not foolproof against leakage, with double seals often failing to detect leaks promptly, and they add weight due to bulky bulkhead requirements.
Innovation Solution
A fluid conduit coupling arrangement with a visible leak path between the annular sealing member and the exterior surface of the outer bypass duct wall, allowing for visual detection of leaks and a lightweight bulkhead design with a female and male coupling system that includes an annular seal and a leak path to the exterior surface for easy inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double seal arrangement is used to prevent leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but the bulkhead becomes massive and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an annular seal (a flexible sealing element) between the male and female coupling members to create an effective seal without requiring a massive bulkhead. This thin film approach provides the necessary sealing function while dramatically reducing the bulkhead mass compared to traditional double seal arrangements.
2Reliability
If a double seal arrangement is used to prevent leakage, then sealing reliability is improved, but detection capability deteriorates as leaks can go undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a leak detection path that provides visual feedback when a leak occurs. The detection path allows leaked fluid to travel to an externally visible location, enabling operators to detect seal failures immediately. This feedback mechanism transforms the hidden leak problem into a visible indication without compromising the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection path acts as an intermediary channel that mediates between the sealed coupling area and the external environment. It provides a controlled pathway for leaked fluid to reach a visible location, enabling detection while maintaining the integrity of the primary sealing system.
3Reliability
If a massive bulkhead is used to accommodate double seals, then sealing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing and detection functions into distinct components: an annular seal for sealing and a separate detection path for leak visualization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall structural complexity compared to a monolithic massive bulkhead design that combines multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the detection function from the bulkhead structure itself and creates a separate detection path. This extraction allows the bulkhead to be minimized in size while maintaining sealing capability, and the detection function is provided by the dedicated leak detection path that guides fluid to a visible location.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid conduit coupling for a turbofan engine wherein the engine has a gas path defined by inner and outer duct walls and the exterior surface of the outer duct wall is readily accessible for visual inspection. In one example, a first fluid line extends across the gas path between the inner and outer duct walls and a second fluid line is connected to the first fluid line at the level of the outer duct wall. The first fluid line may include a female coupling member and the second fluid member may include a mating male coupling member. An annular sealing member is associated with the first and second couplings and a leak path is defined between the annular sealing member and the exterior surface of the outer duct wall, whereby fluid may be detected by visual inspection of the outer duct wall if a leak should occur at the annular sealing member.