| Grommeted bypass duct penetration -> Monitor Keywords |
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Grommeted bypass duct penetrationRelated Patent Categories: Power Plants, Reaction Motor (e.g., Motive Fluid Generator And Reaction Nozzle, Etc.), Interrelated Reaction Motors, Air And Diverse Fluid Discharge From Separate Discharge Outlets (e.g., Fan Jet, Etc.)Grommeted bypass duct penetration description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060288687, Grommeted bypass duct penetration. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/320,411 filed Dec. 17, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,942,452 issued Sep. 13, 2005. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The invention relates to a thin-walled duct penetration sealing grommet, particularly useful for sealing between an opening in a gas turbine engine bypass duct wall and the external surface of a projection extending through the opening to simplify manufacture by eliminating complex joint configurations, while accommodating pressure differential, and relative thermal expansion and contraction. BACKGROUND OF THE ART [0003] The bypass duct of a turbofan gas turbine engine contains a pressurized flow of air between the outer duct wall and the engine core. At several locations along the length and about the circumference of the annular bypass duct, penetrations are necessary for conveying fuel, oil, control cables or compressed air bleed from the compressor to an aircraft cabin, as well as many control and monitoring penetrations for instrumentation, inspection and maintenance. [0004] In the prior art, penetrations through the bypass duct are generally accomplished by shrouding the conduits or cables in a transverse sheet metal projection that may be contoured for improved aerodynamic properties. The intersection between the transverse sheet metal projection and the sheet metal walls of the bypass duct are generally manufactured with a flange that is riveted or welded to the relatively thin sheet metal bypass duct walls. Such connections however must also accommodate the difference in pressure between the pressurized flow of air through the bypass duct and the ambient air surrounding the exterior of the engine. Further, the engine core and the associated inner bypass duct wall are exposed to significant heat and thermal expansion and contraction relative to the less exposed outer bypass wall. As a result, relative thermal expansion and contraction is also accommodated by the connection between the projection and the outer bypass wall or the inner bypass wall depending on the particular arrangement. [0005] As a result of the pressure differential and need to accommodate relative thermal expansion and contraction, the sealing and mechanical connection between projections through the bypass wall and the relatively thin bypass duct walls is a relatively complex arrangement requiring clearance for expansion and contraction, resilient seals and quite often involves riveting a structural support or containment flange to the relatively thin bypass duct walls surrounding the opening for the penetration. [0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a means to seal between the opening and the gas turbine engine bypass duct wall and the external surface of a projection extending through the opening which accommodates relative thermal expansion and contraction and pressure differential in a simple low cost manner. [0007] Further objects of the invention will be apparent from review of the disclosure, drawings and description of the invention below. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0008] The invention provides a bypass duct sealing grommet, for sealing between an opening in a gas turbine engine bypass duct wall and the external surface of a projection extending through the opening. Conventionally, the intersection between the projection and the sheet metal bypass duct requires accurate fitting and welding, but cannot then accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. The grommet enables an oversized opening for accommodating relative thermal motion and simplifies manufacture. The grommet has an annular body with a central aperture adapted to seal against the external surface of the projection and two flanges defining an external slot about an exterior periphery of the body to contain and seal the bypass duct wall between the flanges. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] In order that the invention may be readily understood, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. [0010] FIG. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view through a typical turbofan gas turbine engine showing the general arrangement of internal components and in particular the numerous penetrations through the outer annular bypass duct. [0011] FIG. 2 is a radial cross-sectional view through the bypass duct of FIG. 1. [0012] FIG. 3 is a detailed axial cross-sectional view through a prior art penetration through the bypass duct shown along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2. [0013] FIG. 4 is an axial cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing another example of the prior art penetration through the bypass duct wall. [0014] FIG. 5 is a partially cut away perspective view of a penetration through the bypass duct wall with a connecting grommet in accordance with the invention. [0015] FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view through a sealing grommet and adjoining sheet metal walls of the bypass duct and projecting penetration showing the symmetrical trapezoidal cross-sectional profile of the grommet when the bypass wall and a wall of the projection are in a perpendicular orientation. [0016] FIG. 7 shows the deformations of the grommet to accommodate an acute angular orientation. [0017] FIG. 8 shows the deformation of the grommet when relative radial motion is encountered between the bypass wall and a wall of the projection as a result of internal pressure or thermal expansion for example. [0018] Further details of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the detailed description included below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Continue reading about Grommeted bypass duct penetration... Full patent description for Grommeted bypass duct penetration Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Grommeted bypass duct penetration patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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