Patent Publication Number: US-2021172340-A1

Title: Tube assembly

Description:
The present invention refers to a tube assembly, in particular for a fluid supply system of a turbomachine, a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, comprising a fluid supply system with the tube assembly and using the tube assembly in such fluid supply system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to improve interconnecting a first tube and a second tube. 
     The present invention provides a tube assembly and a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, comprising a fluid supply system with at least one tube assembly as described herein and using a tube assembly as described herein in a fluid supply system of a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine respectively. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention a tube assembly comprises: 
     at least two tubes called a first and second tube herein without loss of generality; and 
     a connection connecting said first and second tube; 
     wherein said connection comprises: 
     at least one sealed spherical joint called a first sealed spherical joint herein without loss of generality; and 
     at least one sealed linear joint called a first sealed linear joint herein without loss of generality. 
     According to one embodiment the connection combining or comprising at least one sealed spherical joint and at least one sealed linear joint may advantageously allow to compensate for axial displacement (by the linear joint(s)) as well as angular displacement (by the spherical joint(s)) between the (opposite front faces of the) first and second tube. 
     According to one embodiment the connection comprises a second sealed spherical joint. Additionally or alternatively the connection comprises a second sealed linear joint according to one embodiment. 
     According to one embodiment the connection combining or comprising at least one additional sealed spherical joint or at least one additional sealed linear joint, in particular at least one additional sealed spherical joint and at least one additional sealed linear joint, may advantageously allow to compensate for planar displacement and/or additional axial or angular displacement between the (opposite front faces of the) first and second tube. 
     According to one embodiment the second sealed spherical joint is coupled to the first sealed linear joint by the first sealed spherical joint. Additionally or alternatively the first sealed spherical joint is coupled to the second sealed linear joint by the second sealed spherical joint according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment the first sealed linear joint is coupled to the second sealed linear joint by the first and/or second sealed spherical joint. According to one embodiment the first and second sealed spherical joint are supported by the first and second tube via the first and second sealed linear joint. 
     According to one embodiment this may reduce installation space. 
     According to one embodiment the second sealed spherical joint is coupled to the first sealed spherical joint by the first and/or second sealed linear joint. According to one embodiment the first and second sealed linear joint are supported by the first and second tube via the first and second sealed spherical joint. 
     According to one embodiment this may improve kinematic of the connection. 
     According to one embodiment the first and second sealed spherical joint comprise one common bushing which encompasses a first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing arranged at the first tube and a second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing arranged at the second tube. In particular said common bushing may comprise a first surface encompassing the first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing and a second surface encompassing the second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing which is integrally formed with or joined to said first surface of the common bushing. 
     According to one embodiment this may improve stability. 
     According to one embodiment a front face of the common bushing comprises at least one bulge, preferably at least two, preferably opposite, bulges, for entering the first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing, preferably perpendicular to its (final) installation orientation. Additionally or alternatively a, in particular opposite, front face of the common bushing comprises at least one bulge, preferably at least two, preferably opposite, bulges, for entering the second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing, preferably perpendicular to its (final) installation orientation. 
     According to one embodiment this may improve mounting of said sealing(s). 
     According to one embodiment the first sealed linear joint comprises a sealing arranged movably at the first tube, preferably movable in axial direction. According to one embodiment the first sealed linear joint comprises the first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing which is arranged (axially) movably at the first tube. Additionally or alternatively according to one embodiment the second sealed linear joint comprises a sealing arranged movably at the second tube, preferably movable in axial direction. According to one embodiment the second sealed linear joint comprises the second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing which is arranged (axially) movably at the second tube. 
     According to one embodiment this may reduce installation space and/or improve stability. 
     According to one embodiment the first sealed spherical joint comprises a first bushing encompassing a first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing arranged at the first tube. Additionally or alternatively the second sealed spherical joint comprises a second bushing encompassing a second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing arranged at the second tube according to one embodiment. 
     According to one embodiment this may improve kinematic of the connection. 
     According to one embodiment the first bushing is axially split, wherein at least two axially adjacent parts of such axially split first bushing may be fixed to one another detachably, in particular by form fit or friction fit. 
     Additionally or alternatively the second bushing is axially split according to one embodiment, wherein at least two axially adjacent parts of such axially split second bushing may be fixed to one another detachably, in particular by form fit or friction fit. 
     Additionally or alternatively the first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing is circumferentially split according to one embodiment, preferably comprises two or more ring segments forming a ring together, said ring segments being fixed to one another detachably, in particular by form fit or friction fit, according to one embodiment. 
     Additionally or alternatively the second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing is circumferentially split according to one embodiment, preferably comprises two or more ring segments forming a ring together, said ring segments being fixed to one another detachably, in particular by form fit or friction fit, according to one embodiment. 
     According to one embodiment this may improve mounting of said sealed spherical joint(s). 
     According to one embodiment the first sealed linear joint comprises a sleeve arranged movably at a shaft, preferably movable in axial direction. According to one embodiment the first sealed linear joint comprises a sleeve arranged (axially) movably at a shaft of the first bushing. Additionally or alternatively according to one embodiment the second sealed linear joint comprises a sleeve arranged movably at a shaft, preferably movable in axial direction. According to one embodiment the second sealed linear joint comprises a sleeve arranged (axially) movably at a shaft of the second bushing. According to one embodiment the sleeve of the first sealed linear joint and the sleeve of the second sealed linear joint are formed by one common sleeve. In particular said common sleeve may comprise a first surface encompassing the first bushing&#39;s shaft and a second surface encompassing the second bushing&#39;s shaft which is integrally formed with or joined to said first surface of the common sleeve. 
     According to one embodiment this may reduce installation space and/or improve kinematic and/or stability of the connection. 
     According to one embodiment the sleeve is circumferentially split, preferably comprises two or more ring segments forming a ring together, said ring segments being fixed to one another detachably, in particular by form fit or friction fit, according to one embodiment. 
     According to one embodiment this may improve mounting of said sealed linear joint(s). 
     According to one embodiment at least one of the sealed joints comprises one or more ring seal(s). According to one embodiment the first sealed spherical joint, in particular its sealing, the second sealed spherical joint, in particular its sealing, the first sealed linear joint, in particular its sealing, sleeve or shaft, and/or the second sealed linear joint, in particular its sealing, sleeve or shaft (each) comprises one or more ring seal(s), preferably two or more seals which are arranged sequentially in axial direction. Such ring seal(s) may in particular be a rope or elastomeric seal. 
     According to one embodiment this may improve fluid-tightness of the tube arrangement or its connection respectively. 
     According to one embodiment axial movement of the first sealed spherical joint is limited or prohibited by at least one collar, in particular by at least one roll bead, of the first tube. Additionally or alternatively axial movement of the first sealed linear joint is limited by at least one collar, in particular by at least one roll bead, of the first tube according to one embodiment. Additionally or alternatively axial movement of the second sealed spherical joint is limited or prohibited by at least one collar, in particular by at least one roll bead, of the second tube according to one embodiment. Additionally or alternatively axial movement of the second sealed linear joint is limited by at least one collar, in particular by at least one roll bead, of the second tube according to one embodiment. 
     According to one embodiment this may improve kinematic of the connection and/or stability. 
     A tube arrangement according to the present invention may be used with great advantage in a fluid supply system for or of a turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, respectively. Said fluid supply system is a cooling (fluid) system, preferably a (cooling) air supply system, according to one embodiment. The first and second tube of the tube arrangement guide or contain a gaseous fluid, preferably air, more preferably cooling air, more preferably for an active clearance control of the turbomachine, or are adapted or used thereto respectively according to one embodiment. “Sealed” as used herein denotes “fluid-tight” with respect to the fluid which flows through the first and second tube according to one embodiment, thus denoting “air-tight” or “air-sealed” respectively according to one embodiment. 
     An axial direction mentioned herein may in particular denote a lengthwise of flow-through direction of the first and/or second tube and/or connection. A circumferential direction mentioned herein may in particular denote a circumferential direction of the first and/or second tube. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features of the present invention are disclosed in the sub-claims and the following description of preferred embodiments. Thereto it is shown, partially schematically, in: 
         FIG. 1  an axial section of a tube assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention compensating axial displacement; 
         FIG. 2  the tube assembly of  FIG. 1  compensating angular displacement; 
         FIG. 3  the tube assembly of  FIG. 1  compensating planar displacement; 
         FIG. 4A-C  mounting of a first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing to a common bushing of a first and second sealed spherical joint of the tube assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  an axial section of a tube assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention compensating axial displacement; 
         FIG. 6  the tube assembly of  FIG. 5  compensating angular displacement; 
         FIG. 7  the tube assembly of  FIG. 5  compensating planar displacement; 
         FIG. 8A-D  mounting of the tube assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows, partially schematically, an axial section of a tube assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention compensating axial displacement (horizontal in  FIG. 1 ). The tube assembly is part of a fluid supply system  1000  of a gas turbine  1001 , shown schematically. 
     The tube assembly comprises a first tube  100 , a second tube  200  and a connection connecting the first and second tube, said connection comprising a first sealed spherical joint  10 , a first sealed linear joint  20 , a second sealed spherical joint  30  constructed in the same way as the first sealed spherical joint  10  and a second sealed linear joint  40  constructed in the same way as the first sealed linear joint  20 . 
     The first sealed spherical joint  10  and first sealed linear joint  20  comprise a common sealing  11  with ring seals  12  (see  FIG. 2 ) at its outer and inner surface which is arranged axially movably at the first tube  100  (“first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing”). 
     Accordingly the second sealed spherical joint  30  and second sealed linear joint  40  comprise a common sealing  31  with ring seals  12  (see  FIG. 2 ) at its outer and inner surface which is arranged axially movably at the second tube  200  (“second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing”). 
     The second sealed spherical joint  30  is coupled to the first linear joint  20  by the first sealed spherical joint  10 , the first sealed spherical joint  10  is coupled to the second sealed linear joint  40  by the second sealed spherical joint  30 , and the first sealed linear joint  20  is coupled to the second sealed linear joint  40  by the first and second sealed spherical joint  10 ,  30  which are supported by the first and second tube  100 ,  200  via the first and second sealed linear joint  20 ,  40  and comprise a common bushing  50  encompassing said first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  11  arranged at the first tube  100  and said second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  31  arranged at the second tube  200 . 
     A roll bead  110  of the first tube  100  and a roll bead  210  of the second tube  200  limit axial movement of said joints. 
     As can be understood from  FIGS. 1-3 , said connection allows to compensate axial displacement (see  FIG. 1 : horizontal/axial movement of tubes  100 ,  200  relative to one another), angular displacement (see  FIG. 2 : tilt movement of tubes  100 ,  200  relative to one another) and planar displacement (see  FIG. 3 : vertical/radial movement of tubes  100 ,  200  relative to one another). 
     Sequence of  FIG. 4A → 4 B→ 4 C illustrates mounting of the first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  11  to common bushing  50 . 
     As can be seen therein, first the first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  11  including its ring seals  12  enters opposite bulges  51  at one front face of the common bushing  50  perpendicular to its final installation orientation ( FIG. 4A → 4 B). Then the first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  11  is rotated 90° into its final installation orientation ( FIG. 4B → 4 C). The second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  31  is installed accordingly afterwards. 
     Thereafter, the opposing ends of the first and second tube  100 ,  200  are inserted into the first and second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  11 ,  31  respectively to form the configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  shows, partially schematically, an axial section of a tube assembly according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention compensating axial displacement (horizontal in  FIG. 5 ). Corresponding features are denoted by identical reference numerals. 
     The tube assembly of  FIG. 5  comprises a first tube  100 , a second tube  200  and a connection connecting the first and second tube, said connection comprising a first sealed spherical joint  10 , a first sealed linear joint  20 , a second sealed spherical joint  30  constructed in the same way as the first sealed spherical joint  10  and a second sealed linear joint  40  constructed in the same way as the first sealed linear joint  20 . 
     The first sealed spherical joint  10  comprises a first bushing  13  encompassing a first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  11  arranged at the first tube  100 , wherein axial movement of said first sealed spherical joint(&#39;s sealing) is prohibited by a roll bead  110  (see  FIG. 8A ) of the first tube  100 . 
     Accordingly the second sealed spherical joint  30  comprises a second bushing  33  encompassing a second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  31  arranged at the second tube  200 , wherein axial movement of said second sealed spherical joint(&#39;s sealing) is prohibited by a roll bead  210  (see  FIG. 8A ) of the second tube  200 . 
     The first sealed linear joint  20  comprises a sleeve  60  arranged axially movably at a shaft  14  of the first bushing  13  and a shaft  34  of the second bushing  33 . Thus the second sealed linear joint  40  comprises said (common) sleeve  60  and said shaft  34 . 
     Both sealed linear joints  20 ,  40  each comprise a ring seal  12  (see  FIG. 6 ) and are supported by the first and second tube  100 ,  200  via the first and second sealed spherical joint  10 ,  30 . The second sealed spherical joint  30  is coupled to the first sealed spherical joint  10  by the first and second sealed linear joint  20 ,  40 . 
     As can be understood from  FIGS. 5-7 , said connection combining the first and second sealed spherical and linear joint  10 ,  20 ,  30  and  40  allows to compensate axial displacement (see  FIG. 5 : horizontal/axial movement of tubes  100 ,  200  relative to one another), angular displacement (see  FIG. 6 : tilt movement of tubes  100 ,  200  relative to one another) and planar displacement (see  FIG. 7 : vertical/radial movement of tubes  100 ,  200  relative to one another). As can be understood from  FIG. 5 , the sequential combination of the two sealed linear joints  20 ,  40  increase axial travel, wherein up to the linear spacing apart of tubes  100 ,  200  shown in  FIG. 5  sealing is guaranteed. If both tubes  100 ,  200  are spaced apart from one another further then in  FIG. 5 , sealing may be guaranteed by a (seal) motion limiter (not shown). 
     Sequence of  FIG. 8A → 8 B→ 8 C→ 8 D illustrates mounting of the tube assembly. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 8A , first the circumferentially split first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  11  and the circumferentially split second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  31  and one part  13 A of the axially split first bushing  13  and one part  33 A of the axially split second bushing  33  are arranged at the first and second tube  100 ,  200  respectively. In  FIG. 8A  only one ring segment  11 A of the first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  11  and one ring segment  31 A of the second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  31  are shown arranged at the first and second tube  100 ,  200  respectively. 
     After the other ring segment  11 B,  31 B is added, the so-formed ring-like circumferentially split first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  11  and the circumferentially split second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing  31  are secured each by a lock ring  70  (see  FIG. 8B ). 
     Thereafter, the other part  13 B of the axially split first bushing  13  is arranged at the first tube  100  and fixed to part  13 A by a wave spring  71  and a lock ring  72 . Accordingly the other part  33 B of the axially split second bushing  33  is arranged at the second tube  200  and fixed to part  33 A by a wave spring  71  and a lock ring  72  (see  FIG. 8C ). 
     After arranging the ring seals  12  at shaft  14  of the first bushing  13  and shaft  34  of the second bushing  33  respectively, the parts  60 A,  60 B of the circumferentially split sleeve  60  are arranged at shaft  14  and shaft  34  and fixed together by a clamp  73  (see  FIG. 8D ) to form the configuration shown in  FIG. 5  (wherein clamp  73  is omitted as in  FIGS. 6, 7 ). 
     While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
     “Sealing” as used herein is defined as a seal structure. 
     REFERENCE NUMBERS 
     
         
           10  first sealed spherical joint 
           11  first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing 
           11 A,  11 B ring segment of first sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing 
           12  ring seal 
           13  first bushing 
           13 A,  13 B part of axially split first bushing 
           14  shaft 
           20  first sealed linear joint 
           30  second sealed spherical joint 
           31  second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing 
           31 A,  31 B ring segment of second sealed spherical joint&#39;s sealing 
           33  second bushing 
           33 A,  33 B part of axially split second bushing 
           34  shaft 
           40  second sealed linear joint 
           50  common bushing 
           51  bulge 
           60  sleeve 
           60 A,  60 B Part of the circumferentially split sleeve 
           70  lock ring 
           71  wave spring 
           72  lock ring 
           73  clamp 
           100  first tube 
           110  roll bead 
           200  second tube 
           210  roll bead