FR3137736A1 - CONDUIT SYSTEM MOUNTED BETWEEN TWO ELEMENTS OF A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

CONDUIT SYSTEM MOUNTED BETWEEN TWO ELEMENTS OF A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM The invention relates to a conduit system (200) mounted between two elements (202a-b) of a fluid distribution system. The pipe system (200) comprises a double-skin pipe fixed between the two elements (202a-b), a male connection device (204) fixed to the first element (202a) and comprising a head of hemispherical external shape, a connection device female connection (206) fixed to the second element (202b) and comprising a head of hemispherical interior shape, N extensions (208) where each has a male head whose exterior surface is hemispherical and a female head whose interior surface is hemispherical, where each male head is enclosed step by step inside a female head. Such a pipe system makes it possible to enclose a double-skin pipe for greater safety. Fig. 2

Description

CONDUIT SYSTEM MOUNTED BETWEEN TWO ELEMENTS OF A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a driving system mounted between two elements of a fluid distribution system, as well as a method for setting up such a driving system and an aircraft comprising such a driving system.

STATE OF PRIOR ART

In an aircraft, in order to channel fuel from one place to another, it is known to use a pipeline. To limit the risks of fuel leaks, in particular kerosene or dihydrogen, it is known to use double-skinned pipes.

These double skin pipes can be rigid or flexible.

Although such double-skin pipes have two defense barriers, making it possible to prevent external fuel leaks in the event of failure of one of the two skins, there is a need to have a third defense barrier in certain cases. critical areas, for example areas exposed to engine heat.

The invention aims to respond in whole or in part to this need.

An object of the present invention is to propose a pipe system intended to form a sealed sheath around a double-skin pipe extending between a first element and a second element, said pipe system comprising:

- a hollow male connection device intended to form a sheath around a first part of the double skin pipe, and of which a first end is intended to be fixed to the first element and of which a second end comprises a head whose external surface is hemispherical in shape,

- a hollow female connection device intended to form a sheath around a second part of the double skin pipe, and of which a first end is intended to be fixed to the second element and of which a second end comprises a head whose interior surface is hemispherical in shape,

- N hollow extensions where N≥2, where each extension has a first end equipped with a male head whose exterior surface is of hemispherical shape and a second end equipped with a female head whose interior surface is of hemispherical shape,

where the head of the male connection device is enclosed inside the female head of the rank 1 extension cord, where each male head of an n-1 rank extension cord with 2≤n≤N is enclosed within the female head of the extension of rank n, where the male head of the extension of rank N is enclosed in the head of the female connection and where the N hollow extensions are intended to form a sheath around a third part of the double skin pipe included between the first part and the second part of the double skin pipe.

Such a pipe system makes it possible to create a third skin around the double skin pipe in order to avoid leaks in the event of failure of the first two skins. In addition, the particular architecture makes it possible to adapt the pipe system to all shapes and geometries of the double skin pipe. Any overpressures and temperature rises are also confined within the pipe system.

Advantageously, the first end of the male connection device is intended to be fixed in a sealed manner to the first element, the first end of the female connection device is intended to be fixed in a sealed manner to the second element and at each junction where a head is enclosed in another head, and the driving system has joints which are arranged between said head and said other head.

Advantageously, the sealing between two heads is achieved by placing two sealing lines around the male head of each extension and around the head of the male connection device.

Advantageously, the male connection device consists of two shells fixed to each other, the female connection device consists of two shells fixed to each other and each extension consists of two shells fixed to each other. one to the other.

Advantageously, each shell has two ribs which extend along the axial plane on either side of the axis of the double skin pipe, and each rib of one shell bears against a rib of the other shell and the ribs are fixed to each other by fixing means.

Advantageously, the driving system comprises for each shell, at least one pad fixed inside the shell and provided to maintain the double skin pipe.

Advantageously, between the first end and the second end, the extension comprises a cylinder whose exterior face has stiffeners.

Advantageously, the male connection device and/or the female connection device have at least one fluidic connection interface which performs fluidic communication between the interior and the exterior of said connection device and which is intended to be fluidically connected to a suction system or an inert atmosphere system or to receive a plug.

The invention also proposes a method of setting up a driving system according to a previous variant, where the method comprises:

- a first step during which the double skin pipe is fixed to the first element and the second element,

- a second step during which the two shells of the male connection device are fixed to the first element and to each other,

- a third step during which the shells of the row 1 extension are fixed together so that the head of the male connection device is enclosed inside the female head of the row 1 extension,

for each extension of rank n with 2≤n≤N with N≥2,

- a fourth step during which the shells of the extension of rank n are fixed together so that the male head of the extension of rank n-1 is enclosed in the female head of the extension of rank n,

- a fifth step during which ‘n’ is incremented by 1,

- a sixth step during which the process loops on the fourth step as long as n is different from N, and

- a seventh step during which the two shells of the female connection device are fixed to the second element and to each other so that the male head of the rank N extension is enclosed in the head of the female connection.

The invention also proposes an aircraft comprising a fluid distribution system with a first element and a second element, a double-skin pipe extending between the first element and the second element and a driving system according to one of the previous variants.

The characteristics of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will appear more clearly on reading the following description of an exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the attached drawings, among which:

is a top view of an aircraft according to the invention,

is a schematic representation of a driving system according to the invention,

is an exploded perspective view of a male connection device of the driving system according to the invention,

is an exploded perspective view of an extension of the driving system according to the invention,

is an exploded perspective view of a female connection device of the driving system according to the invention, and

is a side view of an example installation of a female connection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the description which follows, and by convention, we call X the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, we call Y the transverse direction which is horizontal when the aircraft is on the ground, and Z the vertical direction which is vertical when the aircraft is on the ground, these three directions X, Y and Z being orthogonal to each other.

There shows an aircraft 100 which comprises a fuselage 102 on each side of which is fixed a wing 104 which carries at least one engine 106 operating with fuel such as kerosene or gaseous dihydrogen. In the embodiment of the invention presented in the , the engine 106 is a propeller engine, but any other type of engine is possible.

The aircraft 100 includes a tank 110 in which the fuel is stored in liquid form. In the embodiment of the invention, the tank 110 is arranged at the rear of the fuselage 102, but a different positioning is possible.

The aircraft 100 also includes a double-skin pipe 116 and a distribution system 112 which includes, among other things, the tank 110, the engine 106 which are fluidly connected by the double-skin pipe 116, and a pump 114 mounted on the double-skin pipe 116 to drive the fuel leaving the tank 110 in the double skin pipe 116 towards the engine 106.

The distribution system 112 also includes here a junction box 118 which is arranged along the double skin pipe 116 and which makes it possible to divide the double skin pipe 116 into several double skin pipes 116 to allow the fuel to be distributed to different locations.

There shows a driving system 200 according to the invention which is placed between two elements of the distribution system 112. In the embodiment of the invention presented in , the elements are the tank 110, the pump 114, the junction box 118 and the motor 106. A pipe system 200 can be set up between two of these consecutive elements along the double skin pipe 116, for example between the tank 110 and the pump 114, the pump 114 and the junction box 118, and the junction box 118 and the motor 106.

The pipe system 200 is thus placed between two consecutive elements 202a-b along the double skin pipe 116 which extends between the two elements 202a-b.

The pipe system 200 is intended to form a watertight sheath around the double skin pipe 116 fixed in a watertight manner between the first element 202a and the second element 202b.

The driving system 200 comprises a male connection device 204 fixed to the first element 202a, a female connection device 206 fixed to the second element 202b, and at least one extension 208 mounted hingedly between the male connection device 204 and the connection device female 206.

The double skin pipe 116 is housed inside the male connection device 204, the female connection device 206 and each extension 208 which are hollow. The double skin pipe 116 has an axis T which varies over its length due to the curvature of the double skin pipe 116. The axis T must therefore be seen as a succession of local axes with different orientations.

More precisely, the male connection device 204 forms a sheath around a first part of the double skin pipe 116, typically one end of the double skin pipe 116, the female connection device 206 forms a sheath around a second part of the double skin pipe 116, typically another end of the double skin pipe 116, and the extensions 208 together form a sheath around a third part of the double skin pipe 116 between the first part and the second part of the double skin pipe 116.

There shows the male connection device 204, the shows an extension 208 and the shows the female connection device 206.

At a first end, the male connection device 204 comprises a flange 306 fixed to the first element 202a by fixing means such as bolts through bores 303 which pass through the flange 306.

At a second end, the male connection device 204 comprises a head 308 whose exterior surface is hemispherical in shape.

Here, between the first end and the second end, the male connection device 204 comprises a cylinder 310.

The male connection device 204 is made up of two shells 302a-b which are hollow and fixed to one another so as to delimit between them a channel 304 inside which the double skin pipe 116 is arranged.

Preferably, the two shells 302a-b are identical, generally symmetrical to each other with respect to an axial plane P passing through the axis T of the pipeline 116.

Each shell 302a-b thus comprises half of the flange 306, half of the head 308 and half of the cylinder 310.

The two shells 302a-b are fixed to one another at the level of the axial plane P. To this end, in the embodiment of the invention presented here, each shell 302a-b has two ribs 312a-b which extend along the axial plane P on either side of the axis T of the double skin pipe 116. Each rib 312a-b of a shell 302a-b bears against a rib 312a-b of the The other shell 302b-a and the ribs 312a-b are fixed to each other by fixing means, for example by bolts through bores 313 which pass through the ribs 312a-b.

At a first end, the female connection device 206 comprises a flange 506 fixed to the second element 202b by fixing means such as bolts through bores 503 which pass through the flange 506.

At a second end, the female connection device 206 comprises a head 508 whose interior surface is hemispherical in shape.

Here, between the first end and the second end, the female connection device 206 comprises a cylinder 510.

The female connection device 206 is made up of two shells 502a-b which are hollow and fixed to one another so as to delimit between them a channel 504 inside which the double skin pipe 116 is arranged.

Preferably, the two shells 502a-b are identical.

Each shell 502a-b thus comprises half of the flange 506, half of the head 508 and half of the cylinder 510.

The two shells 502a-b are fixed to one another at the level of the axial plane P’. To this end, in the embodiment of the invention presented here, each shell 502a-b has two ribs 512a-b which extend along the axial plane P' on either side of the axis T of the double skin pipe 116. Each rib 512a-b of a shell 502a-b bears against a rib 512a-b of the other shell 502b-a and the ribs 512a-b are fixed to one another by fixing means, for example by bolts through bores 513 which pass through the ribs 512a-b.

At a first end, the extension 208 comprises a male head 408a whose exterior surface is of hemispherical shape and at a second end, the extension 208 comprises a female head 408b whose interior surface is of hemispherical shape.

Between the first end and the second end, the extension 208 includes a cylinder 410.

The extension 208 is made up of two shells 402a-b which are hollow and fixed to one another so as to delimit between them a channel 404 inside which the double skin pipe 116 is arranged.

Preferably, the two shells 402a-b are identical.

Each shell 402a-b thus comprises half of the male head 408a, half of the female head 408b and half of the cylinder 410.

The two shells 402a-b are fixed to each other at the level of the axial plane P". To this end, in the embodiment of the invention presented here, each shell 402a-b has two ribs 412a-b which extend along the axial plane P" on either side of the axis T of the double skin pipe 116. Each rib 412a-b of a shell 402a-b bears against a rib 412a-b of the other shell 402b-a and the ribs 412a-b are fixed to each other by fixing means, for example by bolts through bores 413 which pass through the ribs 412a-b.

When each shell 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b is fixed to its counterpart, the double skin pipe 116 is placed between the shells 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b.

Depending on the distance between the male connection device 204 and the female connection device 206, a variable number of extensions 208 is put in place. In addition, it is possible to provide extensions 208 of different lengths.

Considering that N (N≥2) extensions 208 are required between the male connection device 204 and the female connection device 206, the extension 208 of rank 1 is integral with the male connection device 204 and the extension 208 of rank N is integral with the female connection device 206.

The male connection device 204 is fixed to the first element 202a by sandwiching the double skin pipe 116 and thus leaving its head 308 accessible. The extension 208 of row 1 is then fixed on the head 308 of the male connection device 204 by enclosing said head 308 of the first element 202a inside the female head 408b of the extension 208 of row 1. The extension 208 of row 1 sandwiches the double skin pipe 116.

Then, generally speaking, each male head 408a of an extension 208 of rank n-1 with 2≤n≤N, is enclosed in the female head 408b of the extension 208 of rank n. Each extension 208 sandwiches the double skin pipe 116.

The female connection device 206 is fixed to the second element 202b by sandwiching the double skin pipe 116 and the male head 408a of the extension 208 of rank N is enclosed in the head 508 of the female connection 206.

In the case where there is a single extension 208, its female head 408b encloses the head 308 of the male connection device 204 and its male head 408a is enclosed in the head 508 of the female connection 206.

The hemispherical shape of the heads creates a ball joint between the male connection device 204 and the extension 208 of rank 1, a ball joint between the female connection device 206 and the extension 208 of rank N and a ball joint between two successive extensions 208 . Thus, it is easy to guide the double skin pipe 116 even in tight places. In addition, the fact that the double skin pipe 116 is enclosed between two shells 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b creates a triple skin pipe.

Each shell 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b is produced for example by molding or by a manufacturing process ensuring good repeatability.

Advantageously, the first end of the male connection device 204 is fixed in a sealed manner to the first element 202a.

Advantageously, the first end of the female connection device 206 is fixed in a sealed manner to the second element 202b.

At each junction where a head is enclosed in another head, the pipe system 200 comprises joints which are arranged between said head and said other head to ensure sealing between the interior and exterior of the pipe system 200.

The seal between the male connection device 204 and the first element 202a is ensured here by two O-rings 320 where each is arranged in a circular groove made in the face of the male connection device 204, here of the flange 306, which is resting against the first element 202a. Each joint 320 is coaxial with the axis T of the double skin pipe 116.

The seal between the female connection device 206 and the second element 202b is ensured here by two O-rings 520 where each is arranged in a circular groove made in the face of the female connection device 206, here of the flange 506, which is resting against the second element 202b. Each joint 520 is coaxial with the axis T of the double skin pipe 116.

In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the sealing between two heads is achieved by placing two sealing lines 322, 422 around the male head 408a of each extension 208 and around the head 308 of the male connection device 204. Each sealing line 322, 422 takes the form of a circle coaxial with the axis T of the double skin pipe 116 on the exterior face of the head 308, 408a.

In the embodiment of the invention presented here, the sealing lines 322, 422 are produced by two O-rings which form a loop extending over half of each shell 302a-b, 402a-b. the two strands of the loop are offset one behind the other parallel to the axis T of the double skin pipe 116.

According to another particular embodiment not shown, the sealing lines 322, 422 are produced by two O-rings where each extends over the complete circumference of each shell 302a-b, 402a-b, and where the two seals are offset one behind the other parallel to the axis T of the double skin pipe 116.

Each joint is placed in an appropriate groove made in the exterior face of the male head 408a of each extension 208 and in the exterior face of the head 308 of the male connection device 204.

To ensure sealing between two shells 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b, the pipe system 200 comprises a sealing line 324a-b, 424a-b, 524a-b arranged between each shell 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b, between the first end and the second end of said shells 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b.

To ensure good positioning of the two shells 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b relative to each other, each includes at least one stud 326, 426, 526 which projects relative to the axial plane P, P", P" projecting towards the other shell 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b which has, for each stud 326, 426, 526, a bore 328, 428, 528 provided to receive said stud 326, 426, 526.

In the embodiment of the invention presented in Figs. 3 to 5, each shell 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b is equipped with at least one bearing 330, 430, 530 fixed inside the shell 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b and designed to maintain, in particular by pinching, the double skin pipe 116 when the two shells are fixed to each other.

Depending on the length of the shell, there may be several pads distributed along the T axis as shown in the for the extension 208. Depending on the angular extent of each bearing 330, 430, 530, there may be several on the same shell 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b in order to best maintain the double skin pipe 116 .

To ensure good rigidity of the shells 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b, for example in the event of overpressure inside, and in particular for the shells 402a-b constituting an extension 208, each shell 402a-b has stiffeners 432, the first of which extend parallel to the axis T of the double-skin pipe 116 and the second of which extend in planes perpendicular to the axis T. The stiffeners 432 are more particularly placed along the exterior face of the cylinder 410 of the extension 208.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the , two second stiffeners 432 have bores 434 which are intended to fix the extension 208 to a fixed structure for example using collars.

In the embodiment of the invention presented in Figs. 3 and 5, the male connection device 204 and/or the female connection device 206 have at least one fluid connection interface 336, 536, here there is one per shell.

Each fluidic connection interface 336, 536 provides fluidic communication between the interior and exterior of said connection device 204, 206 and here takes the form of a hole which passes through the wall of the connection device 204, 206, and more particularly here of the cylinder 310, 510, so as to put the channel 304, 504 and the exterior of the connection device 204, 206 into fluid communication.

Each fluidic connection interface 336, 536 can be fluidly connected to a suction system which, in the event of a leak, sucks up the gases/liquids which could be present between the double skin pipe 116 and the shells 302a-b, 402a-b , 502a-b.

Each fluidic connection interface 336, 536 can be fluidly connected to an inert atmosphere system which, in the event of a leak, sends an inert gas/liquid which will dilute the gases/liquids which could be present between the double skin pipe 116 and the shells 302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b.

When neither of the two previous systems is provided, the fluidic connection interface 336, 536 is closed by a plug.

There shows the male connection device 204 with a single shell 302a fixed to the first element 202a with the double skin pipe 116 which comprises a first flange 602 fixed to a second flange 604 of the first element 202a, here by means of nuts 606.

A method of setting up the driving system 200 comprises:

- a first step during which the double skin pipe 116 is fixed to the first element 202a and to the second element 202b,

- a second step during which the two shells 302a-b of the male connection device 204 are fixed to the first element 202a and to each other,

- a third step during which the shells 402a-b of the extension 208 of row 1 are fixed together so that the head 308 of the male connection device 204 is enclosed inside the female head 408b of the row 1 extension 208,

for each extension of rank n with 2≤n≤N with N≥2,

- a fourth step during which the shells 402a-b of the extension 208 of rank n are fixed together so that the male head 408a of the extension 208 of rank n-1 is enclosed in the female head 408b of the extension 208 of row n,

- a fifth step during which ‘n’ is incremented by 1,

- a sixth step during which the process loops on the fourth step as long as n is different from N, and

- a seventh step during which the two shells 502a-b of the female connection device 206 are fixed to the second element 202b and to each other so that the male head 408a of the extension 208 of rank N is enclosed in the head 508 of the female connection 206.

Claims (10)

Pipe system (200) intended to form a sealed sheath around a double-skin pipe (116) extending between a first element (202a) and a second element (202b), said pipe system (200) comprising:
- a hollow male connection device (204) intended to form a sheath around a first part of the double skin pipe (116), and of which a first end is intended to be fixed to the first element (202a), and of which a second end comprises a head (308) whose exterior surface is hemispherical in shape,
- a hollow female connection device (206) intended to form a sheath around a second part of the double skin pipe (116), and of which a first end is intended to be fixed to the second element (202b), and of which a second end comprises a head (508) whose interior surface is of hemispherical shape,
- N hollow extensions (208) where N≥2, where each extension (208) has a first end equipped with a male head (408a) whose exterior surface is of hemispherical shape and a second end equipped with a female head ( 408b) whose interior surface is hemispherical in shape,
where the head (308) of the male connection device (204) is enclosed inside the female head (408b) of the row 1 extension (208), where each male head (408a) of an extension (208 ) of rank n-1 with 2≤n≤N, is enclosed in the female head (408b) of the extension (208) of rank n, where the male head (408a) of the extension (208) of rank N is enclosed in the head (508) of the female connection (206) and where the N hollow extensions (208) are intended to form a sheath around a third part of the double skin pipe (116) included between the first part and the second part of the double skin pipe (116). Driving system (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end of the male connection device (204) is intended to be fixed in a sealed manner to the first element (202a), in that the first end of the connecting device female connection (206) is intended to be fixed in a sealed manner to the second element (202b), and in that at each junction where a head is enclosed in another head, the conduit system (200) comprises joints which are arranged between said head and said other head. Driving system (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing between two heads is achieved by placing two sealing lines (322, 422) around the male head (408a) of each extension ( 208) and around the head (308) of the male connection device (204). Driving system (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the male connection device (204) consists of two shells (302a-b) fixed to one another, in that the device female connection (206) consists of two shells (502a-b) fixed to one another, and in that each extension (208) consists of two shells (402a-b) fixed to one 'other. Driving system (200) according to claim 4, characterized in that each shell (302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b) has two ribs (312a-b, 412a-b, 512a-b) which extend along the axial plane (P, P", P') on either side of an axis (T) of the double skin pipe (116), and in this each rib (312a-b, 412a-b, 512a-b) of one shell (302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b) comes to rest against a rib (312a-b, 412a-b, 512a-b) of the other shell (302b-a, 402b-a, 502b-a) and the ribs (312a-b, 412a-b, 512a-b) are fixed to each other by fixing means. Driving system (200) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises for each shell (302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b) at least one bearing (330, 430, 530) fixed inside the hull (302a-b, 402a-b, 502a-b) and intended to maintain the double skin pipe (116). Driving system (200) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, between the first end and the second end, the extension (208) comprises a cylinder (410) whose exterior face has stiffeners (432). ). Driving system (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the male connection device (204) and/or the female connection device (206) have at least one fluid connection interface (336, 536). which provides fluid communication between the interior and exterior of said connection device (204, 206) and which is intended to be fluidly connected to a suction system or to an inert atmosphere system or to receive a plug . Method of setting up a driving system (200) according to claim 4, where the method comprises:
- a first step during which the double skin pipe (116) is fixed to the first element (202a) and to the second element (202b),
- a second step during which the two shells (302a-b) of the male connection device (204) are fixed to the first element (202a) and to each other,
- a third step during which the shells (402a-b) of the row 1 extension (208) are fixed together so that the head (308) of the male connection device (204) is enclosed at the inside the female head (408b) of the row 1 extension (208),
for each extension of rank n with 2≤n≤N with N≥2,
- a fourth step during which the shells (402a-b) of the extension (208) of rank n are fixed together so that the male head (408a) of the extension (208) of rank n-1 either enclosed in the female head (408b) of the extension (208) of rank n,
- a fifth step during which 'n' is incremented by 1,
- a sixth step during which the process loops on the fourth step as long as n is different from N, and
- a seventh step during which the two shells (502a-b) of the female connection device (206) are fixed to the second element (202b) and to each other so that the male head (408a) of the extension ( 208) of rank N is enclosed in the head (508) of the female connection (206). Aircraft (100) comprising a fluid distribution system (112) with a first element (202a) and a second element (202b), a double skin pipe (116) extending between the first element (202a) and the second element (202b) and a driving system (200) according to one of claims 1 to 8.