SUPPORT FOR A PIPE

Abstract

A support for a pipe. The support includes a body and at least one base configured so as to be in contact with and connected to a fixing surface. The support includes an orifice for receiving the pipe. Two inner members are disposed within the body. A first inner member is disposed in the body and a second inner member is disposed in the first inner member. The outer surface of the first inner member is spherical. The first and second inner members are configured to move relative to all three axes to position 360 degrees.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/294,353 filed on Oct. 14, 2016, which in turn claims priority to French Application No. 1559838 filed on Oct. 16, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a support for a pipe, for example a pipe for a fluid circuit.

An aircraft typically comprises at least one fluid circuit for channeling the fuel from a tank to the engines. A fluid circuit includes, amongst other things, a succession of pipes arranged end-to-end. Two successive pipes are connected by a connector which is usually a sleeve, the ends of the pipes being fitted therein. In order to ensure the sealing, an annular seal is interposed between the end of each pipe and the sleeve of the connector.

According to the known embodiments, the connectors are configured so as to compensate for a possible angular error and to permit a slight axial movement between two successive pipes. At each end of the pipe, the connection between the pipe and the connector is a linear type connection. As a result, the mounting of a pipe between two connectors is implemented without the occurrence of stress.

In certain circumstances, it is necessary to provide a support to support the pipe so as to limit, in particular, the transfer of load onto the joints of the connectors. Each support includes a collar, or housing, which surrounds the pipe section and a base secured to the collar and which connects the collar to a structure of the aircraft.

In spite of the care given to the mounting, the longitudinal axis of the collar is not generally aligned with the straight line passing through the centers of the linear connections provided at each end of the pipe. This misalignment produces stresses in the region of the joints of the connectors which causes the occurrence of wear in these joints.

U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2017/0108145, assigned to the present Applicant and the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a support that aims to remedy the drawbacks of the current supports. To overcome some of the problems associated with prior art supports, US Pat. Pub. No. 2017/0108145 discloses supports that utilize two ring members, with an inner member disposed in an outer member and the outer ring member disposed in the housing. Both ring members include an eccentric orifice. By rotating at least one of the ring members, the longitudinal axis of the aperture containing the pipe moves. This allows for the longitudinal axis of the aperture to be adjusted to obtain a position that is generally aligned with the straight line passing through the centers of the linear connections provided at each end of the pipe.

However, while the supports disclosed in US Pat. Pub. No. 2017/0108145 are effective for its intended purposes, and improve over the prior art, in some situations the straight line passing through the centers of the linear connections provided at each end of the pipe may not be perfectly horizonal as the pipe passes through the support. In such circumstances, it would desirable to provide a support with more movement. Thus, the present invention aims to provide a support that reduces the strain on a pipe wherein a straight line passing through the centers of the linear connections provided at each end of the pipe is not perfectly horizonal as the pipe passes through the support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a support for a pipe, the support comprising a housing and at least one base. The support includes at least one inner member having an orifice configured to receive the pipe. The inner member is configured to be pivoted or rotated about at least two axes (that are perpendicular to each other at their intersection) and preferably all three axes, to align a longitudinal axis of the orifice with the straight line passing through the centers of the linear connections provided at each end of the pipe. This movement to align the pipe and minimize the stresses applied to the connectors present at each end of the pipe and thus to limit the risk of wear to the joints of the connectors.

According to at least a first aspect, a support for a pipe is provided which includes a housing, a first inner member inside of the housing and a second inner member inside of the first inner member. The housing includes a top cover and at least one base. The first inner member includes a body with a spherical outer surface and an eccentric orifice. The second inner member is rotatably disposed within the orifice of the first inner member. The second inner member includes a body and an eccentric orifice.

According to at least a second aspect, a support for a pipe is provided which includes a housing and at least one inner member having a spherical outer surface and being disposed in the housing such that the at least one inner member is configured to change an orientation and position of a longitudinal axis of the pipe. The housing includes a top cover and at least one base. The at least one inner member forms an eccentric orifice configured to receive the pipe.

According to at least a third aspect, a support for a pipe is provided which includes a housing, a first inner member, and a second inner member. The housing has a top cover and at least one base. The first inner member is secured within the housing and is formed from at least two separate parts. The first inner member has a spherical outer surface and an eccentric orifice. The second inner member is rotatably disposed within the eccentric orifice of the first inner member and includes an eccentric orifice configured to receive the pipe.

Additional aspects, embodiments, and details of the present disclosure, all of which may be combinable in any manner, are set forth in the following detailed description of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages will be disclosed from the following description of the invention, the description being provided solely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pipe provided with a support according to the present application;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a support according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a body and a base of the support shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a first inner member of the support shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the first inner member shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a front view of the first inner member shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a second inner member of the support shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5B is a front view of the second inner member shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating another support according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the support of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the support of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a second inner member of the support shown in FIG. 6; and,

FIG. 9B is an exploded view of the second inner member shown in FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, a fluid circuit includes a pipe 10 positioned between an upstream pipe 10′ and a downstream pipe 10″ is depicted in FIG. 1. As is known, the pipe 10 has a first end 12a connected to the upstream pipe 10′ with a first connector 14a and a second end 12b connected to the downstream pipe 10″ with a second connector 14b. Each connector 14a, 14b is, for example, a sleeve, with the first or second end 12a, 12b of the pipe 10 being fitted therein. To ensure the sealing, each connector 14a, 14b includes a seal (not shown) interposed between the end 12a, 12b of the pipe 10 and the sleeve. At each of its first and second ends 12a, 12b, the pipe 10 comprises a connection with the first or second connector 14a, 14b which is of the linear type. The linear connections present at the ends 12a, 12b of the pipe 10 are illustrated by their centers respectively O1 and O2 in FIG. 1.

In order to reduce the stress on the connections between the connectors 14a, 14b and the pipe 10, it is desirable to ensure that a longitudinal axis of the pipe 10 is as close as possible to a straight line passing through the centers of the linear connections provided at each end of the pipe (preferably, the longitudinal axis is the straight line passing through the centers of the linear connections provided at each end of the pipe). The pipe 10 is provided with a support 16 which supports the pipe 10 along its length and also connects the pipe 10 to a structure 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, the support 16 comprises a housing 20 including a top cover 21 and at least one base 22. Rotatably housed inside of the housing 20 is at least one, and preferably two, inner member 24a, 24b. The inner members 24a, 24b form an orifice 26 that receives the pipe 10. The inner members 24a, 24b are pivoted or rotated about at least two axes that are perpendicular to each other at their intersection. Preferably, the inner members 24a, 24b are pivoted or rotated about three axes that are perpendicular to each other at their intersection. This movement allows an orientation of a longitudinal axis of the orifice 26 that houses the pipe 10 to be positioned and aligned with (or close to) the straight line passing through the centers of the linear connections provided at each end of the pipe (see FIG. 1).

Turning to FIG. 3, the top cover 21 and the base 22 form the housing 20 and are held together by fasteners (not shown) used to secure the support 10 to the structure 18 (see FIG. 1). The fasteners pass through aligned apertures 28 in both the top cover 21 and the at least one base 22.

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, a first inner member 24a comprises a body 31 with an eccentric orifice 32. An outer surface 34 of the first inner member 24a comprises a spherical outer surface. In other words, the body 31 of the first inner member 24a forms a spherical segment (or zone) of two bases.

Returning to FIG. 3, an inner surface 36 of the top cover 21 and an inner surface 38 of the base 22 both include at least a portion that comprises a spherical surface 40a, 40b corresponding to the outer surface 34 of the first inner member 24a. The use of the spherical surfaces 40a, 40b allow the first inner member 24a to be rotated or pivoted while housed within the housing 20.

In order to maintain the first inner member 24a within the housing 20, the spherical surface 40a of the inner surface 36 of the top cover 21 is bounded by two inwardly extending flanges 42a, 42b, each flange 42a, 42b disposed along one side of inner surface 36 of the top cover 21. The flanges 42a, 42b prevent the first inner member 24a from being removed from the housing 20 by interference.

Returning to FIGS. 4A-4C, the first inner member 24a is formed by two parts 50a, 50b to permit the mounting of the first inner member 24a around the pipe 10, and more specifically around the second inner member 24b mounted on the pipe 10, without having to dismantle one of the ends 12a, 12b thereof According to one embodiment, the two parts 50a, 50b are approximately symmetrical relative to a longitudinal plane. Preferably, the two parts 50a, 50b have complementary shapes 52a, 52b in order to block a translation in the longitudinal direction of one of the two parts 50a, 50b relative to the other part 50a, 50b when the two parts 50a, 50b of the first inner member 24a are assembled. By way of example of this complementarity, the first inner member 24a includes a female part 52a and a male part 52b. The female part 52a is configured to receive the male part 52b.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second inner member 24b has a body 54 with an orifice 56. It is preferred that the orifice 56 of the second inner member 24b is eccentric. According to some embodiments, a profile of the body 54, when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the orifice 56 (e.g. as shown in FIG. 5B), of the body 54 of the second inner member 24b is C-shaped. In other words, the body 54 of the second inner member is generally cylindrical; however, less than a complete cylinder is formed. Specifically, the body 54 includes a middle portion 58 which is thicker than two wings 60a, 60b extending away from the middle portion 58 along a circumference of a circle. The wings 60a, 60b do not meet and a gap 62 is formed opposite the middle portion 58. The body 54 of the second inner member 24b also includes two planar faces, a front face 64a and a rear face 64b. Finally, the second inner member 24b also includes a tab 66 that facilitates movement of the inner members 24a, 24b while within the housing 20.

Returning to FIGS. 4A to 4C, an inner surface 67 of the first inner member 24a provides the eccentric orifice 32 with a cylindrical shape to rotatably receive the second inner member 24b. The ends of the cylindrical eccentric orifice 32 each include a flange 68a, 68b. Each flange 68a, 68b extends inwardly and is configured to be adjacent to one of the faces 64a, 64b of the body 54 of the second inner member 24b. Thus, the flanges 68a, 68b will prevent the second inner member 24b from being removed from the first inner member 24a by interference.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 another support 16 is shown. The housing 20 of the support 16 in this embodiment is the same as discussed above, and thus the above description of the elements of the housing 20 are hereby incorporated by reference.

Additionally, the first inner member 24a can be the same, or, as discussed below, the inner surface 67 can be flat (i.e., without the flanges 68a, 68b). The remaining portions are the same as discussed above, and thus the above description of the elements of the first inner member 24a is hereby incorporated by reference.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the body 54′ of the second inner member 24b′ has forms a cylindrical sleeve with the eccentric orifice 56. The body 54′ is preferably formed by two parts 70a, 70b. As with the first inner member 24a discussed above, each part 70a, 70b of the body 54′ preferably includes complementary shapes 72a, 72b in order to block a translation in the longitudinal direction of one of the two parts 70a, 70b relative to the other part 70a, 70b when the two parts 70a, 70b of the cylindrical sleeve are assembled. Again, as an example of this complementarity, a female part 72a is configured to receive a male part 72b.

Additionally, the front face 64a′ of one part 70b and the rear face 64b′ of the other part 70a each include a tab 66′. In addition to facilitate the manipulation of the inner members 24a, 24b′, each tab 66′ forms a half-flange to maintain, along with the complementary shapes 72a, 72b, the second inner member 24b′ in the first inner member 24a. Thus, the inner surface 67 of the first inner member 24a does not require the flanges 68a, 68b (see, e.g., FIG. 4A).

The mounting of the support 16 will now be described with the understanding that this process is merely a preferred process and is not intended to be limiting.

In a first step, the second inner member 24b, 24b′ is positioned about the pipe. In embodiments with the second inner member 24b shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second inner member 24b can be fit over the pipe 10. In embodiments with the second inner member 24b′ shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the two parts part 70a, 70b are positioned about the pipe 10.

Subsequently, regardless of the form of the second inner member 24b, 24b′, the first inner member 24a is positioned about the second inner member 24b, 24b′. When the second inner member 24b, 24b′ is properly nested within the first inner member 24a, the top cover 21 and the base 22 are positioned about the first inner member 24a. The assembled support 16 can be rotated to adjust the positioning of the support so that a longitudinal axis of the pipe 10 is aligned with (or as close as possible to) a straight line passing through the centers of the linear connections provided at each end of the pipe 10. This will reduce the strains on the pipe 10 and connectors. Fasteners (not shown) are inserted through apertures 28 to secure the support 16 to the structure 18.

Finally, as will be appreciated, in the embodiments of FIGS. 6-8, 9A, and 9B, the orifice 26 of the support 16 that receives the pipe 10 is formed completely by the second inner member 24b′. In contrast, in the embodiment of FIGS. 2, 3, 4A-4C, 5A, and 5B, the orifice 26 of the support 16 that receives the pipe 10 is formed by both the second inner member 24b′ and the first inner member 24a.

While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.

Claims

1. A support for a pipe, the support comprising:

a housing comprising a top cover and at least one base;

a first inner member secured within the housing, the first inner member comprising a body with a spherical outer surface and an eccentric orifice; and,

a second inner member rotateably disposed within the eccentric orifice of the first inner member, the second inner member comprising a body and an eccentric orifice.

2. The support of claim 1, wherein a portion of an inner surface of the housing comprises a spherical surface.

3. The support of claim 2, wherein the at least one base includes a spherical surface.

4. The support of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the top cover comprises a spherical surface bounded by two inwardly extending flanges configured to retain the first inner member within the housing.

5. The support of claim 1, wherein the first inner member comprises two parts, the two parts having complementary structures configured to block a translation in a longitudinal direction of one of the two parts relative to the other part when the two parts of the first inner member are assembled.

6. The support of claim 1, wherein the second inner member comprises a tab configured to rotate the second inner member relative to the base.

7. The support of claim 1, wherein the body of the second inner member comprises a C-shape.

8. The support of claim 1, wherein the body of the second inner member comprises a cylindrical sleeve.

9. The support of claim 8, wherein the cylindrical sleeve comprises two parts, each part having complementary structures configured to block a translation in a longitudinal direction of one of the two parts relative to the other part when the two parts of the cylindrical sleeve are assembled.

10. The support of claim 9, wherein each part of the cylindrical sleeve comprises a tab configured to be manipulated in order to rotate the second inner member relative to the base.

11. A support for a pipe, the support comprising:

a housing comprises a top cover and at least one base; and,

at least one inner member having a spherical outer surface and being disposed in the housing, the at least one inner member forming an eccentric orifice configured to receive the pipe,

wherein the at least one inner member is configured to change an orientation and a position of a longitudinal axis of the pipe.

12. The support of claim 11, wherein the at least one inner member comprises two inner members disposed within the housing.

13. The support of claim 12, wherein a first inner member comprises a body within an eccentric orifice, and wherein a second inner member comprises a body disposed within the eccentric orifice of the first inner member.

14. The support of claim 13, wherein a body of the second inner member comprises cylindrical sleeve.

15. The support of claim 14, wherein the cylindrical sleeve comprises the eccentric orifice configured to receive the pipe.

16. The support of claim 13, wherein a body of the second inner member comprises a C-shape.

17. The support of claim 12, wherein a body of a first inner member comprises the spherical outer surface.

18. The support of claim 17, wherein an inner surface of the top cover comprises a spherical surface bounded by two inwardly extending flanges configured to retain the first inner member within the housing.

19. The support of claim 18, wherein an inner surface of the first inner member comprises a cylindrical surface bounded by two inwardly extending flanges configured to retain a second inner member within the first inner member.

20. A support for a pipe, the support comprising:

a housing comprising a top cover and at least one base;

a first inner member secured within the housing, the first inner member formed from at least two separate parts and comprising a spherical outer surface and an eccentric orifice; and,

a second inner member rotateably disposed within the eccentric orifice of the first inner member, the second inner member comprising an eccentric orifice configured to receive the pipe.