Connection device, pipes incorporating same for fluid transmission piping of an aircraft or a spacecraft, and method for manufacturing said device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016273696-A1
Application number	US-201315033716-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 6, 2013
Priority date	Nov 6, 2013
Publication date	Sep 22, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A connection device is suitable for connecting two tubes to one another, and optionally to a fluid tank for fluid transmission piping of an aircraft or a spacecraft Also disclosed are pipes incorporating said tubes and said device; and a method for manufacturing said device. The device includes an injection-molded tip that has at least one angled or inwardly curved area and is made of a composite material with a thermoplastic matrix reinforced by a reinforcement system including carbon fibers. The tip has a median longitudinal mold parting plane (P). The carbon fibers extend so as to be oriented along the tip, which incorporates mechanical and vibratory stiffening means which are integrally molded with the tip and lie in said parting plane or symmetrically relative to said plane in said at least one area and/or immediately near said area.

First claim

1 . A connection device for fluid transmission piping of an aircraft or spacecraft, the device being suitable for connecting two tubes to one another and optionally furthermore to a fluid tank, the device comprising an injection-molded tip that has at least one bent or curved zone and that is made from a composite material with a thermoplastic matrix reinforced by a reinforcing system comprising carbon fibers, the tip having a median longitudinal mold parting plane (P), wherein said carbon fibers extend in an oriented manner along the tip, which incorporates mechanical and vibrational stiffening means that are molded to be integral with the tip and extend in said parting plane or symmetrically relative to that plane in said at least one bent or curved zone and/or in the immediate vicinity of that zone.

2 . The connection device according to claim 1 , wherein said tip comprises:
(a) two straight portions that extend axially on either side of said at least one bent or curved zone and which incorporate said carbon fibers, the majority of which are oriented in the axial direction (Fa) of a globally cylindrical surface (S) of each portion; and (b) at least one collar or flange for example fastening the tip to said tank that is also molded to be integral with the tip and that extends radially so as to be adjacent to said at least one bent or curved zone, this collar or flange incorporating said carbon fibers, the majority of which are oriented in the radial direction (Fr) around the straight portion.

3 . The connection device according to claim 2 , wherein said mechanical and vibrational stiffening means comprise at least one rib or tab that extends in the axial direction of the tip and defines a radial overthickness in said at least one bent or curved zone and/or in the immediate vicinity of the zone.

4 . The connection device according to claim 3 , wherein said mechanical and vibrational stiffening means comprise at least one said rib that extends axially in said parting plane (P) of the tip and that bears on said flange.

5 . The connection device according to claim 4 , wherein said at least one bent or curved zone has a curvature for example with a right angle defining an outer surface and an inner surface of the adjacent straight portions that are respectively turned toward the outside and the inside of the curve, said mechanical and vibrational stiffening means comprising a first so-called axial rib forming a radial overthickness on said outer surface and/or a second so-called axial rib forming a radial overthickness on said inner surface.

6 . The connection device according to claim 3 , wherein said at least one bent or curved zone has a curvature for example with a right angle defining an outer surface and an inner surface of the adjacent straight portions that are respectively turned toward the outside and the inside of the curve, said mechanical and vibrational stiffening means comprising two said tabs for example in the form of grates that extend symmetrically to one another relative to said parting plane (P) of the tip while bearing on said outer surface of the curve and that are topped by a connecting plate to said tank.

7 . The connection device according to claim 2 , further comprising metal fastening members for fastening said flange to said tank, such as screws and/or nuts, which are formed in a single piece by overmolding with fastening lugs of said flange.

8 . The connection device according to claim 1 , wherein said reinforcing system is present in said tip according to a mass fraction comprised between 10% and 40%, said reinforcing system comprising:
(a) said carbon fibers, chosen in the group consisting of those with an intermediate modulus (“IM”) or high modulus (“HM”); and (b) electrically insulating fibers and/or particles such as glass or aramid fibers, according to a carbon fiber/electrically insulating fibers and/or particles volume ratio comprised between 30% and 80%.

9 . The connection device according to claim 1 , wherein said thermoplastic matrix has a base of at least one polymer chosen from the group made up of polyamides such as PA 12, polyaryletherketones (PAEK), polyether ether ketones (PEEK), polyetherketoneketones (PEKK) and their alloys, this matrix having a density preferably lower than or equal to 1.5.

10 . The connection device according to claim 1 , wherein it further comprises, near two ends and of said tip intended to receive said tubes, two electrically conductive annular sealing gaskets with a base of at least one elastomer chosen from the group made up of silicone and fluorosilicone rubbers and that are mounted in contact with a radially inner face of said tip while being attached in two respective circumferential grooves of said tubes or overmolded on those tubes, these joints being able to ensure the electrical continuity of the tubes with the tip and the tank.

11 . The connection device according to claim 10 , wherein said tip has no metal circumferential layer.

12 . A pipe for fluid transmission piping in an aircraft or spacecraft, the pipe being intended to be mounted in each of the composite wings of an airplane to transport a fuel, the pipe comprising two tubes that are preferably nonmetallic and are connected to one another via a sliding and rolling link by a connecting device with a thermoplastic matrix composite tip, wherein the connecting device is the connection device of claim 1 and has no metal connector assembled to the tip for the connection of the latter to the tubes.

13 . The pipe according to claim 12 , wherein the pipe has no electrically insulating tubing between the tubes.

14 . The pipe according to claim 12 , wherein the pipe has no electrically conductive braid secured to the tip for the electrical connection of the latter to said tubes and said tank, the connection device comprising, near two ends of the tip receiving the tubes, said two electrically conductive annular sealing gaskets with a base of at least one elastomer chosen from the group made up of silicone and fluorosilicone rubbers and that are mounted in contact with a radially inner face of the tip while being attached in two respective circumferential grooves of the tubes or overmolded on these tubes and that ensure the electrical continuity of the tubes with the tip and the tank.

15 . A method for manufacturing a connection device according to claim 1 , wherein the method comprises:
(a) injection molding the thermoplastic matrix composite tip in separate locations of a mold of said at least one bent or curved zone and said two straight portions of the tip that extend axially on either side of that zone, preferably using a rotating core (N) with curved output kinematics; and (b) overmolding or welding the two straight portions to the bent or curved zone by means of globally cylindrical steps corresponding to the straight portions.

Assignees

• Hutchinson

Inventors

• Gonzalez Bayon Cristina
• Bergere Stéphane
• Florentz Bertrand

Classifications

• A61K8/891

  saturated, e.g. dimethicone, phenyl trimethicone, C24-C28 methicone or stearyl dimethicone · CPC title

• A45D34/042

  using a brush or the like · CPC title

• A61Q1/04

  for lips · CPC title

• A61K2800/87

  Application Devices; Containers; Packaging · CPC title

• F16L57/00

  Protection of pipes or objects of similar shape against external or internal damage or wear ({protection under water F16L1/123;} supporting of pipes inside other pipes or sleeves F16L7/00; used in connection with end fittings of hoses F16L35/00; protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation F16L58/00; protection thereof during transport B65D59/00) · CPC title