Hydraulic manifold cap web

A protective cap assembly for hydraulic ports of a component includes a plurality of caps, each cap of the plurality of caps installable over a hydraulic port of the component, and a web interconnecting the plurality of caps. A hydraulic system component includes a plurality of hydraulic ports configured for a fluid flow therethrough and a protective cap assembly for the plurality of hydraulic ports. The protective cap assembly includes a plurality of caps, each cap of the plurality of caps installable over a hydraulic port of the component and a web interconnecting the plurality of caps.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to hydraulic systems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to protection of hydraulic systems during manufacturing and/or shipping of components having hydraulic ports.

Articles such as aircraft and aircraft components typically include hydraulic manifolds and ports to allow for flow of hydraulic fluid between components during operation. During manufacturing and shipping of the components, it is often desired to cover or cap the hydraulic ports to prevent foreign material from entering into or damaging the ports. Foreign material such as dirt, dust, oils, etc. in the hydraulic system can seriously degrade the performance of the hydraulic system and often result in failure of the hydraulic system. Presently, plastic caps are utilized to cover individual ports. The caps are designed for single use, and consequently become potential foreign material when removed from the port. Further, the individual caps are generally small, and it is often not visually apparent that a cap is in place on the port, and consequently, a mating part can be installed to the port with the cap still in place, resulting in assembly error and non-functionality of the hydraulic system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a protective cap assembly for hydraulic ports of a component includes a plurality of caps, each cap of the plurality of caps installable over a hydraulic port of the component, and a web interconnecting the plurality of caps.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the web includes a plurality of interconnected web arms extending between the caps of the plurality of caps.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of web arms comprises a plurality of tubular members.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the cap assembly is formed from a rubber material.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the web is pretensioned prior to installation of the cap assembly on the plurality of hydraulic ports.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a distance between caps of the cap assembly is less than a distance between corresponding hydraulic ports of the component.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of caps each have an outer surface configured to prevent installation of a mating component to the hydraulic ports prior to removal of the cap assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a cap inner diameter is substantially equal to a corresponding hydraulic port outer diameter.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of caps are each configured to prevent ingress of contaminants into the corresponding hydraulic port.

In another embodiment, a hydraulic system component includes a plurality of hydraulic ports configured for a fluid flow therethrough and a protective cap assembly for the plurality of hydraulic ports. The protective cap assembly includes a plurality of caps, each cap of the plurality of caps configured to be installed over a hydraulic port of the component, and a web interconnecting the plurality of caps.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the web includes a plurality of interconnected web arms extending between the caps of the plurality of caps.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of web arms comprises a plurality of tubular members.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the cap assembly is formed from an elastomeric material.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the web is pretensioned prior to installation of the cap assembly onto the plurality of hydraulic ports.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments prior to the installation of the cap assembly a distance between caps of the cap assembly is less than a distance between corresponding hydraulic ports of the component.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the plurality of caps each have an outer surface configured to prevent installation of a mating component to the hydraulic ports prior to removal of the cap assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a cap inner diameter is substantially equal to a corresponding hydraulic port outer diameter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) high speed compound or coaxial contra-rotating rigid rotor aircraft10having a dual, contra-rotating main rotor system12, which rotates about a rotor axis. The aircraft10includes an airframe14which supports the dual, contra-rotating, coaxial main rotor system12as well as a translational thrust system16which provides translational thrust generally parallel to an aircraft longitudinal axis18. Although a particular rotary wing aircraft configuration is illustrated and described in the disclosed non-limiting embodiment, other configurations and/or machines with rotor systems are within the scope of the present invention. It is to be appreciated that while the description herein relates to a rotary wing aircraft, the disclosure herein may be as readily applied to other systems and aircraft structures.

Aircraft10typically includes hydraulically-operated components20, such as manifolds or actuators for control and actuation of, for example, the main rotor system12and/or control surfaces (not shown) on the airframe14. The hydraulic components20include a plurality of hydraulic ports22, as shown schematically inFIG. 2. During manufacture of the hydraulic components20, and also during shipping and installation of the components onto the aircraft10, prior to installation of mating connectors (not shown), the hydraulic ports22are open and exposed, and necessitate protection from dust, dirt and other debris that would otherwise enter the hydraulic ports22and contaminate the component20, and thus the hydraulic system of the aircraft10.

To prevent contamination of the hydraulic ports22, a cap assembly24is installed over the hydraulic ports22as shown inFIG. 3. The cap assembly24includes a plurality of caps26, one cap26to cover each hydraulic port22of the plurality of hydraulic ports22. The caps26are interconnected by a web28, including a plurality of web arms30forming a flexible support for the caps26. The cap assembly24is configured for installation to a particular configuration of hydraulic ports22, or to a particular component20.

Referring to the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 4, the cap26fits over the hydraulic port22and is open at a first cap end36and closed at a second cap end38. The first cap end36has a cap inner diameter32equal to, or slightly greater than a port outer diameter34. This allows for installation of the cap assembly24without the use of a high level of force, which may damage the hydraulic port22. The relatively tight fit between the cap26and the hydraulic port22secures the cap26in place at the hydraulic port22, retaining the cap26and preventing the cap26from inadvertently being removed from the hydraulic port22. Further, in some embodiments, a cap outer diameter44and/or cap height46is large enough such that a mating connector48, or mating component, cannot be installed without removal of the cap assembly24from the hydraulic port22.

Referring again toFIG. 3, the web28includes an array of interconnected web arms30, which in some embodiments are solid cylindrical or tubular members. The web arms30and the caps26are in some embodiments formed from a flexible rubber or other elastomeric material. Further, as shown inFIG. 5, in some embodiments, a web length40between caps26is less than a port distance42between corresponding hydraulic ports22. Thus, when the cap assembly24is installed to the hydraulic ports22, tension is introduced to the cap assembly24ensuring a tight fit to the hydraulic ports22.

The cap assembly24provides many advantages over the typical plastic cap. The larger cap assembly24size results in higher visibility of the cap assembly24. Thus, removed cap assemblies24are less likely to be misplaced once removed. Color—e.g. bright, fluorescent, variegated—may also be incorporated into the cap assembly24material to further increase visibility of the cap assembly24. Further, the higher visibility and increased size help to prevent installation of mating connectors without first removing the cap assembly24. The rubber construction of the cap assembly24and the pretension of the web28at installation provide a tight fit of the cap assembly24to the hydraulic ports22, preventing the cap assembly24from being inadvertently removed. The cap assembly24also has sufficient durability that it may be reused multiple times.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. For instance, while described in terms of aircraft, it is understood that aspects could be used in other contexts such as for wind turbines, maritime propulsion, or other technologies in which a rotating element's plan of rotation will vary from perpendicular with the axis of rotation of a shaft driving the rotating element. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.