FR3039244A1 - SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING TWO CONDUITS HAVING EXTREMITS EQUIPPED WITH FLANGES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for connecting the ends of two ducts (1, 2) each provided with a flange with a gasket, comprising a first and a second half-armature (12, 13) each having a cross-section thereof. U to delimit an internal channel, these two half-frames (12, 13) being intended to overlap the edges of the flanges together. Each half-frame (4, 9) is formed of an inner half-shell and an outer half-shell, each having a bottom and a flank jointly defining in L-section. Each outer half-shell having its bottom in support against the bottom of the corresponding inner half-shell, and being secured to the corresponding half-shell by screws. The system also comprises means for securing the first half-frame (12) to the second half-frame (13).

Description

SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING TWO CONDUITS WITH EXTREMITS

EQUIPPED WITH FLANGES

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to the connection of two ducts having ends provided with flanges, this connection ensuring a mechanical holding of the ends of the ducts relative to each other while constituting a sealed junction. The invention applies to the connection of ducts in an aircraft engine such as a turbojet engine.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

In an aircraft engine turbomachine, some ducts having flanged ends are connected to each other by means of a connecting collar enclosing these flanges. Such a connection is used in particular to join a duct for exhausting hot air from the engine with a de-icing duct of the nacelle carrying the engine.

Such a collar comprises two parts each having a C-shaped, that is to say semicircular, with a joint joining one end of each part, the free ends receiving a clamping bolt. In cross-section, each part has a V shape, this type of collar being known as a V-neck or V-clamp in English.

In practice, a seal is interposed between the flanges, and the collar is attached to the periphery of these flanges so as to overlap their edges, before tightening the bolt to bring the two parts of the collar together. Given the V-shaped cross-section which overlaps the edges of the two flanges, this clamping makes it possible to bring the flanges together so that they enclose the joint and maintain them so that they do not shift transversely relative to each other. 'other.

It may happen that due to vibrations and other operating hazards the clamping collar disengages the flanges it surrounds, so that the conduits are then no longer sealed.

The object of the invention is to provide a connection system of two ducts to overcome this disadvantage.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention thus relates to a system for sealing the ends of two ducts each having a coupling flange for gripping a seal intended to be interposed between the two flanges, this system comprising a reinforcement formed of a first and a second half-armature each having in section a shape corresponding to that of the letter U to delimit an internal channel, these two half-armatures being intended to overlap the edges of the flanges on all the periphery of these flanges enclosing the joint, each half-frame being formed by an inner half-shell and an outer half-shell, each having a bottom and a flank jointly defining in section a shape corresponding to that of the letter L, each half outer shell having its bottom bearing against the bottom of the corresponding inner half-shell, each outer half-shell being secured to the inner half-shell corresponding by at least one screw passing through the bottom of the outer half-shell to screw into the bottom of the inner half-shell in order to press the two bottoms against each other, the half-frames comprising fastening means from the first half-frame to the second half-frame.

Since each half-armature is formed of two L-shaped half-shells assembled on the flanges to form a U-shaped section, the U-shaped section may have a depth sufficiently large to ensure that the armature can not mechanically dislodge the flanges. she maintains. The invention also relates to a system thus defined, wherein each half-shell and each half-frame has a general shape corresponding to that of the letter U, to jointly delimit a generally rectangular shape, so as to be mountable on two flanges to generally rectangular outlines. The invention also relates to a system thus defined, wherein each inner half-shell comprises one or more nuts welded on the inner face of its bottom to receive the locking screws. The invention also relates to a system thus defined, wherein the means for securing the first half-armature to the second half-armature comprise a stud located at the outermost apex of each end of the sidewall of each half-shell of the first half-armature and oriented perpendicular to this flank, and an eyelet located at the outermost apex of each end of the flank of each half-shell of the second half-frame and oriented parallel to this side, the eyelets of the internal half-shell of the second half-frame engaging around the studs of the inner half-shell of the first half-frame, the eyelets of the outer half-shell of the second half-frame engaging around studs of the outer half-shell of the first half-frame. The invention also relates to a turbomachine comprising two ducts connected with a system according to one of the preceding claims. The invention also relates to an aircraft engine comprising a turbomachine having two ducts connected with a system thus defined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two ends of ducts provided with flanges, one of which carries a seal when these ends are spaced from one another; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two ends of ducts provided with flanges, one of which carries a seal when these flanges are brought closer together to grip the seal; - Figure 3 is a perspective view of two ends of ducts provided with flanges close to one another enclosing a seal and held in position by a system according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a half-frame of the system according to the invention when it is in place to hold the flanges of two ends of ducts; - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first half-frame of the system according to the invention in an orientation showing mainly the internal faces of the half-frame; - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second half-frame of the system according to the invention in an orientation showing its outer faces and its inner faces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS The idea underlying the invention is to maintain two flanges in abutment against each other by means of a removable U-shaped frame frame which surrounds the edges of these two straps overlapping them. By overlapping the edges, the armature holds the flanges, ensuring that they do not separate from one another, and by surrounding all these edges, it ensures that the flanges do not move laterally one by relationship to another of too great amplitude.

In FIG. 1, the end of a first duct 1 and the end of a second duct 2 to be connected are located facing each other and in the extension of one of the other, these ducts being aligned and extending both along an axis AX.

The first duct 1 comprises a cylindrical body 3, here of oblong section, extending along the axis AX and carrying at its end a flat flange 4 oriented normal to the axis AX and having a generally rectangular contour with rounded vertices . This rectangular flat flange 4 here carries on its free face a seal 6 surrounding the central opening 7 of this flange, this seal 6 can be fixed to the free face of this flange.

Similarly, the second conduit 2 comprises a body 8 extending along the axis AX and carrying at its end a flat flange 9 which also has a rectangular contour with rounded vertices. This second flange which is also oriented perpendicular to the axis AX does not bear seal.

When the flanges 4 and 9 are brought closer to each other along the axis AX, as in FIG. 2, they enclose the gasket 6 between their faces, so as to connect the two ducts 1 and 2 so as to waterproof.

According to the invention, the two flanges are held in position relative to one another by a dismountable frame 11 which is attached to these flanges 4 and 9 so as to surround them, once they have been positioned on the outside. one with respect to the other by enclosing the gasket 6 as in FIG. 2.

This reinforcement 11 constitutes a U-section frame, delimiting an internal channel extending in a rectangular outline, so as to overlap the edges of the two flanges all around their periphery.

This armature 11 comprises a first half-frame 12 and a second half-frame 13 which both have a general shape corresponding to that of the letter U. These half-frames thus jointly delimit a rectangular frame when they are joined, that is to say when they are arranged with their ends facing each other.

In case of circular section flanges, the frame would then consist of half-frames each having a general shape corresponding to that of the letter C, so as to jointly define a circular shape when they are joined.

As shown in Figure 4, when in place, the half-frame 12 encloses a portion of the edges of the flanges 4 and 9 by overlapping, which ensures the maintenance of these flanges relative to each other and maintaining the position of the seal 6. The half-frame 13 encloses another portion of the edges of the flanges in the same manner.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, the first half-frame 12 which has a U-shaped section consists of an outer half-shell 14 in which is housed an inner half-shell 16, these half-shells each having an L-shaped section. , so as to jointly define a U-shaped section when they are joined.

The outer half-shell 14 thus has a flank wall 17 and a bottom wall 18 which extend at right angles to one another. Similarly, the inner half-shell 16 also has a flank wall 19 and a bottom wall 21 extending at right angles to one another to jointly define the L-section of the half-shell. frame 12 that they constitute when they are assembled.

The inner half-shell 16 has dimensions slightly smaller than those of the outer half-shell, to be able to lodge therein. When the inner half-shell is in place, its bottom 21 has its outer face bearing against the inner face of the bottom 18 of the outer half-shell.

These half-shells 14, 16 are rigidly secured to one another by two screws 22 and 23. More particularly, and as shown in FIG. 4, a hole 24 is provided in the bottom 18 of the outer half-shell. , and a corresponding thread 26 is provided in the bottom 21 of the inner half-shell. When the half-shells are in position relative to each other, the hole 24 and the tapping 26 are vis-à-vis one relative to the other, which allows to engage the screw 22 in the hole 24 and the thread 26 to tighten it, so as to rigidly secure these half-shells relative to each other.

The tapping 26 may be formed directly in the bottom body of the inner half-shell, but it may also be constituted by a captive nut or a welded nut to the inner face of the bottom of the inner half-shell.

The two screws 22 and 23 and the holes and tapping are located at a distance from each other along the bottom of the half-shells, so as to rigidly secure them relative to each other firmly and effective.

Thus, and as is apparent from FIG. 4, there is no freedom of positioning of the outer half-shell 14 with respect to the inner half-shell 16 in their assembly, since their relative positions are completely defined by the positions holes and tappings receiving the assembly screws.

The second half-armature 13 is also formed by an inner half-shell 27 and an outer half-shell 28 assembled to one another with screws 29 and 31, in the same way as the half-shells constituting the first half-frame, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

The first half-frame 12 is secured to the second half-frame 13 to form a substantially rigid frame, thanks to a system of external studs and external eyelets, which appear in Figures 5 and 6.

The outer half-shell 14 of the first half-frame 12 comprises two pads or hinges 32 and 33 located in the extension of the outermost corners of the ends of its sidewall 14 being oriented perpendicularly to this sidewall. In the same way, the inner half-shell 16 of the first half-frame also has two studs or hinges 34, 36 in the extension of its outermost corners of the ends of its sidewall 14 and oriented perpendicularly to this sidewall.

The outer half-shell 27 of the second half-frame 13 comprises two eyelets 37, 38 extending in the extension of the outermost corners of the ends of its side 18, and parallel to this sidewall 18. In the same way, the internal half-shell 28 of the second half-frame 13 also has two eyelets 39, 41 extending the two outermost corners of the ends of its side 19 extending parallel to this sidewall. The installation of the reinforcement according to the invention for connecting the two ducts 1 and 2 is carried out in several steps. Firstly, the flanges 4 and 9 are placed facing each other to grip the seal 6 correctly positioned between these flanges. These flanges are then held in abutment against each other by an operator or by means of external tools.

The inner half-shell 16 of the first half-frame 12 can then be applied against the edge of the flange 4, before placing the corresponding outer half-shell 14 on the contiguous edge of the flange 9, while partially covering the half -Internal shell 16.

The position of the outer half-shell 14 is then adjusted so that its bottom bears on that of the inner half-shell 16, and for the holes of the outer half-shell 14 to be opposite the internal threads. of the inner half-shell 16. The screws 22 and 23 can then be engaged in the holes and the threads to be tightened so as to rigidly secure the two half-shells to one another so that the first half-frame , which includes the studs or hinges 33-36, is both incorporated and in place.

The inner half-shell 28 of the second half-frame 13 can then be placed on the edge of the flange 4 which is opposite to the edge covered by the first half-frame 12, while passing the eyelets 39, 41 around the pads 34 and 36. At this stage, the outer half-shell 27 can be placed on the edge of the flange 9 opposite to that covered by the first half-frame 12, again engaging the eyelets 37, 38 around the studs or hinges 32, 33. At this stage, the position of the outer half-shell 27 of the second half-frame is adjusted so that its holes are vis-à-vis the threads of the inner half-shell, before engage the screws 29 and 31 in these holes and threads and tighten them. This makes it possible to form the second half-armature 13 while blocking it in position relative to the flanges 4 and 9 and with respect to the first half-armature 12. The studs of the second half-armature are then immovably engaged in the eyelets of the first half-frame, so that the two half-frames are rigidly secured to one another. The reinforcement according to the invention thus constitutes a collar which limits the relative displacements of one flange with respect to the other, while ensuring that the seal remains sufficiently compressed between the two flanges that this reinforcement overlaps.

In the example illustrated in Figure 4, the seal used is a seal having a circular section. Seals with different sections may also be used, such as a seal having a section corresponding to that of the omega letter.

Furthermore, in the example of the figures, two securing screws are provided for fixing the outer half-shell to the inner half-shell, but depending on the dimensioning and the constraints to be complied with, the number of securing screws may be increased to that each half-frame has a greater rigidity.

It is important to note that the reinforcement maintains the compressed gasket, but that the compression of this gasket does not result directly from the assembly screws, but only from the U-section formed by the assembly of the two half-shells. The pressure is thus exerted on all around the seal, the assembly screws working in shear under the effect of the reaction of the seal.

The general structure of the reinforcement according to the invention makes it possible to prevent the flanges from moving apart along the axis AX, but also that they offset transversely with respect to this axis, and also that they bow one to the other. The armature according to the invention thus makes it possible to limit the displacements of one duct with respect to the other in the three dimensions, that is to say according to the six possible degrees of freedom for these ducts.

Claims (6)

1. A system for sealing the ends of two ducts (1, 2) each having a coupling flange (4, 9) for gripping a seal (6) intended to be interposed between the two flanges (4, 9). ), this system comprising an armature formed of a first and a second half-armature (12, 13) each having in section a shape corresponding to that of the letter U to delimit an internal channel, these two half-armatures ( 12, 13) being intended to overlap the edges of the flanges (4, 9) jointly all around these flanges (4, 9) enclosing the seal (6), each half-frame (4, 9) being formed of an inner half-shell (16, 28) and an outer half-shell (14, 27) each having a bottom (18, 21) and a flank (17, 19) jointly defining in section a shape corresponding to that of the letter L, each outer half-shell (14, 27) having its bottom (18) bearing against the bottom of the corresponding inner half-shell (16, 28 ), each outer half-shells (14, 27) being secured to the corresponding inner half-shell (16, 28) by at least one screw passing through the bottom of the outer half-shell (14, 27) to screw into the bottom of the inner half-shell (16, 28) to press the two bottoms against each other, the half-frames (12, 13) having means for securing the first half-frame (12) to the second half-frame (13). 2. System according to claim 1, wherein each half-shell (14, 16, 27, 28) and each half-frame (12,13) has a general shape corresponding to that of the letter U, to jointly define a shape generally rectangular, so as to be mountable on two flanges (4, 9) with generally rectangular contours. 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each inner half-shell (16, 28) comprises one or more welded nuts on the inside of its bottom (21) to receive the locking screws (22, 23, 29, 31). 4. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing means of the first half-frame (12) to the second half-frame (13) comprises a stud (32, 33, 34, 36) located at the the outermost apex of each end of the flank (17, 19) of each half-shell (14, 16) of the first half-frame (12) and oriented perpendicular thereto, and an eyelet (37, 38, 39 41) located at the outermost apex of each end of the sidewall of each half-shell (27, 28) of the second half-armature (13) and oriented parallel thereto, the eyelets (34, 36) of the inner half-shell (28) of the second half-armature (13) engaging around the studs (39, 42) of the inner half-shell (16) of the first half-armature (12), the eyelets ( 37, 38) of the outer half-shell (27) of the second half-armature (13) engaging around studs (32, 33) of the outer half-shell (14) of the first half-armature (12). ). 5. Turbomachine characterized in that it comprises two ducts connected with a system according to one of the preceding claims. 6. Aircraft engine characterized in that it comprises a turbomachine according to claim 5.