Abstract: A sealed joint assembly for transmitting high temperature and high pressure fluid between adjoining ducts in, for example, an aircraft bleed air system, includes a gimbal ring and two annular clevises. Each clevis includes a pair of axially-extending lobes that each includes a bore hole extending therethrough. The bore holes of the clevis lobes may each align with a respective bore hole formed within the gimbal ring, through which a pin may be inserted to couple the clevises to the gimbal ring. The clevises and gimbal ring may be formed using additive manufacturing, to produce component geometries and topologies that reduce the overall weight of the joint assembly while maintaining or improving its structural integrity. For example, the clevis lobes may include a plurality of gaps, such that the remaining material forms a shear web. The gimbal ring may also include strut or truss networks to enhance structural integrity.

Abstract: A bleed valve for use in a gas turbine engine of an aircraft includes a high-pressure cavity coupled to a valve terminal, which is itself coupled to a cap, which cap includes a valve seat configured to be sealed by a tube that serves as the valve gate. The tube is operably coupled to a movable end of a bellows, which is positioned within the high-pressure cavity. The opening and closing of the valve is controlled by the movement of the bellows within the high-pressure cavity, and, in turn, the movement of the tube towards the valve seat, with the valve closing as the bellows compresses.

Abstract: A bleed valve for use in a gas turbine engine of an aircraft includes a high-pressure cavity coupled to a valve housing, which includes a valve seat configured to be sealed by a system poppet. The system poppet is operably coupled to a shaft that is itself coupled to a movable end of a bellows, which is positioned within the high-pressure cavity. The opening and closing of the valve is controlled by at least one cavity air port that is configured to inject a first fluid into the high-pressure cavity, thus compressing the bellows, and by a servo air port that is configured to inject a second fluid directly into the bellows, to expand it.

Abstract: An integrated drain mast structure for use in draining fluids emanating from aircraft components, such as turbine engines and fuselages, for facilitating the detection of fluids leaking from said components. A self-supporting tube section including a plurality of generally aligned fluid passages each having a peripheral wall, at least a portion of which is common with at least a portion of another aligned adjacent fluid passage is connected to one or more of these aircraft components. An aerodynamic fairing includes a plurality of fairing fluid passages each connected to a respective fluid passage of the tube section and having respective fluid outlets. The tube section and fairing section can comprise a single integral structure.

Abstract: A manifold assembly configured for integration with a joint cover apparatus in a ducting system to detect leaking gas comprises an elastomeric manifold block having a substantially circular inlet aperture and one or more gas passages fluidly coupled to the inlet aperture. The assembly includes a flow control valve configured to maintain a closed state in which a component of the flow control valve sealingly engages with the inlet aperture to preclude gas at the inlet aperture from flowing into the one or more gas passages until said gas reaches a pressure corresponding to a pressure threshold. The assembly also includes at least one aperture control plate disposed substantially proximate to a lower end of the manifold block and including a substantially circular opening. The aperture control plate is adapted to maintain the substantial circularity of the inlet aperture, so as to ensure a substantially fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A compensator junction assembly for carrying pressurized hot gases in an aircraft ducting system comprises a substantially spherical inner race having at least three apertures and at least three corresponding retainer assemblies, where the apertures in the retainer assemblies align with the apertures in the inner race, and at least three outer races, each having apertures generally aligned with the at least three inner race apertures, respectively. The retainer assemblies may include at least one bottom channel and at least one top channel for receiving one or more bearings and seals. Spherically rotational movement of the retainer assemblies between the inner and outer races accommodates stresses caused by the pressurized hot gases and external forces.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling heated gas using a liquid coolant includes a tubular housing with one or more intake apertures circumferentially spaced around a coolant distribution portion of the housing. A tube retention cap sealedly engages the front end of the tubular housing, and includes at least one gas tube orifice. An annular coolant chamber surrounds the coolant distribution portion, which distributes liquid coolant around the intake apertures and directs coolant into the cavity and within the tubular housing. Positioned within the tubular housing is at least one elongated gas tube, which is sealedly engaged with the tube orifice. Liquid coolant flowing in, through a coolant inlet, is directed around the annular coolant chamber and distributed into the cavity of the tubular housing, immersing the elongated gas tube and facilitating heat exchange from the heated gas flowing through the elongated gas tubes immersed within the liquid coolant.

Abstract: A flexible metal seal assembly for isolating one or more fluids in an operative region of a machine comprises a first flexible metal seal and a second flexible metal seal arranged in series, allowing the additional exertion of a spring bias. The inner surface of the first flexible metal seal is restrainably and hermetically attached to the outer surface of a metallic coupler, while the outer surface of the second flexible metal seal is restrainably and hermetically attached to the inner surface of the metallic coupler. Amongst other applications, the assembly may be used in a valve seal, or in an engine fuel pump, where it serves to isolate lubricating oil from fuel, or one fluid from a region, where one fluid may be present on an actuator that reciprocates within the second flexible metal seal or outside of the first flexible metal seal.

Abstract: An instantaneous gas purge apparatus distributes a flow of a gas, such as an inert gas, directly juxtaposed to a welding seam between two adjacent tubes. The device includes a central hub having radially extending stabilizer arms, mounted inside one of the tubes to be welded. A counterweight and a gas dispersion unit are independently rotatable relative to the hub. The welding operation comprises a continuous rotation of the tubes. Using a stationary welding device, the gravitational pull on the counterweight maintains the gas dispersion unit proximate the welding seam.

Abstract: A temperature control gasper apparatus for vehicle interiors such as aircraft cabins. Airflow temperature, volume and orientation are integrated and controlled by the gasper apparatus—at the point of use of the gasper apparatus. The temperature control gasper apparatus includes a mixing chamber, a temperature control dial, and an airflow control nozzle assembly. The temperature control gasper apparatus provides airflow output control with rotation of a grip member of the nozzle assembly relative to a ball portion of the mixing chamber, temperature control by rotation of a handle portion of the temperature control dial relative to the ball portion of the mixing chamber, and airflow direction control by movement of the ball portion of the mixing chamber relative to a socket portion of the mixing chamber fixed to the vehicle interior.

Abstract: A compensator junction assembly for carrying pressurized hot gases in an aircraft ducting system comprises a substantially spherical inner race having at least three apertures and at least three corresponding retainer assemblies, where the apertures in the retainer assemblies align with the apertures in the inner race, and at least three outer races, each having apertures generally aligned with the at least three inner race apertures, respectively. The retainer assemblies may include at least one bottom channel and at least one top channel for receiving one or more bearings and seals. Spherically rotational movement of the retainer assemblies between the inner and outer races accommodates stresses caused by the pressurized hot gases and external forces.

Abstract: A pressure balanced thermal actuator includes a flow housing having an inlet and an outlet, with the flow housing being affixed at opposing ends to two bellows housings, each of which contains a bellows. An actuation rod is operably coupled to each bellows and contains a fluid passage therewithin. When the temperature of the area surrounding the actuator increases, the pressure inside the bellows housings increases, and exerts a force on the bellows therein, compressing it. As a result, the actuation rod moves from a first position to a second position to align the fluid passage with the inlet and the outlet, enabling the controlled passage of a first fluid from the inlet, and through the fluid passage, to the outlet, to reduce the temperature of the area surrounding the valve assembly. The actuator is unaffected by changes in the ambient pressure, by working equally on two opposing bellows areas.

Abstract: A pipe component with an outer pipe element and at least one inner pipe element arranged inside the outer pipe element is provided. The outer pipe element is formed as a flexible pipe element with a plurality of projections, in particular corrugations, and/or at least one corrugated portion. On at least one point the outer pipe element and the at least one inner pipe element each have a projection pointing to the outside in a radial direction, wherein the outside of the projection of the at least one inner pipe element at least partly flatly rests against the inside of the projection of the outer pipe element or of another inner pipe element, so that by means of the projections a connection exists between the at least one inner pipe element and the outer pipe element. The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing a pipe component.

Abstract: A valve assembly for high pressure applications includes a pre-charge chamber in fluid communication with a first bellows, at least one inlet for pressurized gas to enter the assembly, a system poppet and an outlet for releasing pressurized gas into a desired environment. The pre-charge chamber and first bellows are filled with pre-charge gas to a threshold pressure. Pressurized gas can flow through access channels into a second bellows, which expands to move a valve shaft connected to the poppet assembly to open the poppet and allow the release of gas. The expansion of the second bellows pushes incompressible fluid disposed between the two bellows against the first bellows, thus contracting the first bellows. The gas within each bellows maintains an internal pressure equal to the pressure exerted upon each bellows by the incompressible fluid, so as to minimize differential pressure across the bellows in the extended position.

Abstract: A valve assembly for high pressure applications includes a pre-charge chamber, at least one inlet for pressurized gas to enter the assembly, a system poppet and an outlet for releasing pressurized gas into a desired environment. Pressurized gas can flow through access channels into a single bellows, which expands to move a shaft connected to the system poppet to open the poppet. In another embodiment, the pre-charge chamber compresses a first bellows to expand a second bellows, and vice versa upon reciprocation. The two bellows are hydraulically connected and filled with incompressible fluid. Each bellows has an internal limiting valve to retain incompressible fluid therewithin, and to preclude the complete nesting of either of the bellows. The retained fluid within the bellows maintains an internal pressure to minimize differential pressure, thereby minimizing the risk of bellows failure.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation cooler for internal combustion engines and a method of forming same. One or more cooler tubes incorporate a flexible section, comprised of one or more integrally formed convolutions, with a tube and fin architecture. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler provides thermal compensation, on a per-tube basis, with the flexible sections of the one or more cooler tubes individually displacing upon the thermal expansion of any of the respective tubes.

Abstract: A valve assembly for high pressure applications includes a pre-charge chamber, at least one inlet for pressurized gas to enter the assembly, a system poppet and an outlet for releasing pressurized gas into a desired environment. Pressurized gas can flow through access channels into a single bellows, which expands to move a shaft connected to the system poppet to open the poppet. In another embodiment, the pre-charge chamber compresses a first bellows to expand a second bellows, and vice versa upon reciprocation. The two bellows are hydraulically connected and filled with incompressible fluid. Each bellows has an internal limiting valve to retain incompressible fluid therewithin, and to preclude the complete nesting of either of the bellows. The retained fluid within the bellows maintains an internal pressure to minimize differential pressure, thereby minimizing the risk of bellows failure.

Abstract: A leak detector for an insulated duct carrying pressurized hot air comprises a cover secured over a circumferential cut in the insulation of the duct, or over a joint connecting duct sections, thereby creating a reservoir of hot air which has leaked from the duct or joint, a manifold block defining a conduit therein in communication with the hot air reservoir and a cap for securing heat sensitive wires to manifold at the end of the conduit such that the hot air from the hot air reservoir impinges directly on the heat sensitive wires. The leak detector includes flow control mechanisms in the body of the manifold block, to prevent false alarms arising from nominal leakage resulting from ordinary operation of the duct system.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation cooler for internal combustion engines and a method of forming same. One or more cooler tubes incorporate a flexible section, comprised of one or more integrally formed convolutions, with a tube and fin architecture. The exhaust gas recirculation cooler provides thermal compensation, on a per-tube basis, with the flexible sections of the one or more cooler tubes individually displacing upon the thermal expansion of any of the respective tubes.