Enhanced gimbal joint for conduits

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11879575-B2
Application number	US-202117344595-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 10, 2021
Priority date	Jun 10, 2021
Publication date	Jan 23, 2024
Grant date	Jan 23, 2024

Abstract

A gimbal assembly for a flexible conduit configured to convey a medium. The gimbal assembly includes a first component including a first plurality of struts that terminate in a first socket defining a first cavity of a first geometric configuration. The gimbal assembly also includes a second component including a second plurality of struts that terminate in a second socket defining a second cavity of a second geometric configuration. A joint fastener is configured to couple the first socket to the second socket. The joint fastener includes a first portion that geometrically corresponds to the first cavity and a second portion that geometrically corresponds to the second cavity. The first portion is configured to be immovably seated within the first cavity, and the second portion is configured to be movably retained by the second socket such that the first component can rotate relative to the second component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A gimbal assembly for a flexible conduit configured to convey a medium, the gimbal assembly comprising:
a first component comprising a first plurality of struts that terminate in a first socket defining a first cavity of a first geometric configuration, and wherein the first component defines an aperture;
a second component comprising a second plurality of struts that terminate in a second socket defining a second cavity of a second geometric configuration;
a flexible bellows disposed between and coupled to the first component and the second component; and
a joint fastener configured to couple the first socket to the second socket, wherein the joint fastener comprises a first portion that geometrically corresponds to the first cavity, an intermediate portion that geometrically corresponds to the aperture such that the intermediate portion can be immovably seated within the aperture, and a second portion that geometrically corresponds to the second cavity, wherein the first portion is dimensionally configured to be immovably seated within the first cavity, and wherein the second portion is configured to be movably retained by the second socket such that the first component can rotate relative to the second component about the second socket.

2. The gimbal assembly of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the first portion of the joint fastener substantially contacts an inner surface of the first socket when seated within the first cavity.

3. The gimbal assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first portion is dimensionally configured to establish a friction fit between the joint fastener and the first socket when seated within the first cavity.

4. The gimbal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the aperture defined by the first component and the intermediate portion of the joint fastener both comprise a frustoconical configuration, and wherein the second geometric configuration is hemispheric.

5. The gimbal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the joint fastener further comprises a third portion that differs in geometric configuration from the first portion and the second portion.

6. The gimbal assembly of claim 5 , further comprising a lock nut configured to mechanically engage the third portion of the joint fastener, thereby securing it to the first socket.

7. The gimbal assembly of claim 6 , wherein the lock nut comprises tapped threads, and wherein the third portion comprises a screw configured to engage the tapped threads of the lock nut.

8. The gimbal assembly of claim 7 , wherein the lock nut is adjustably configured to apply a predetermined load on the joint fastener and the first socket.

9. The gimbal assembly of claim 6 , wherein the mechanical engagement is a press-fit.

10. The gimbal assembly of claim 6 , wherein the mechanical engagement is a thermal-fit.

11. The gimbal assembly of claim 6 , wherein the lock nut comprises a stake configured to engage at least a portion of the third portion of the joint fastener.

12. The gimbal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first component and the first plurality of struts are integrally formed, and wherein the second component and the second plurality of struts are integrally formed.

13. The gimbal assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second portion of the joint fastener comprises a wear-resistant coating.

14. The gimbal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of struts and the second plurality of struts are angularly oriented such that the first plurality of struts extend towards the second plurality of struts, and wherein the second plurality of struts extend towards the first plurality of struts.

15. The gimbal assembly of claim 1 , wherein the geometrical correspondence of the intermediate portion and the aperture enables the gimbal assembly to manage a force exerted on the flexible conduit.

16. A method of assembling a gimbal assembly for a flexible conduit configured to convey a medium, wherein the gimbal assembly comprises a first component comprising a first socket, a second component comprising a second socket, and a joint fastener, wherein the first component defines an aperture, wherein the joint fastener comprises a first portion that geometrically corresponds to a first cavity of the first socket, wherein the joint fastener comprises a second portion that geometrically corresponds to a second cavity of the second socket, and wherein the joint fastener comprises an intermediate portion that geometrically corresponds to the aperture, the method comprising:
inserting the first portion of the joint fastener through the second cavity of the second socket of a second gimbal component;
immovably seating the intermediate portion of the joint fastener within the aperture defined by the first component, such that the geometric correspondence between the aperture and intermediate portion of the joint fastener enables the gimbal assembly to manage a force exerted on the flexible conduit;
seating the first portion of the joint fastener within the first cavity of the first socket, such that the geometric correspondence between the first portion and the first cavity renders the joint fastener immovable relative to the first socket;
seating the second portion of the joint fastener within the second socket, such that the second portion is movably retained by the second socket and the first component can rotate relative to the second component; and
securing the joint fastener to the first component via a lock nut.

Assignees

• Blue Origin Llc

Inventors

• Steffen brock

Classifications

• F16L27/04 Primary

  with partly-spherical engaging surfaces · CPC title

• F16J3/048 Primary

  with guiding or supporting means · CPC title

• F16L27/0857

  with hinge and bellows sealing · CPC title