US 12,281,733 B2
Gimbal joints for bleed air systems
Christopher Thompson, Newhall, CA (US); Matthew Parker, Los Angeles, CA (US); and Eric Possert, Pacoima, CA (US)
Assigned to Senior IP GmbH, Schaffhausen (CH)
Filed by Senior IP GmbH
Filed on Nov. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/518,296.
Application 17/518,296 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/442,541, filed on Jun. 16, 2019, granted, now 11,530,765.
Prior Publication US 2022/0099225 A1, Mar. 31, 2022
Int. Cl. F16L 27/08 (2006.01); F16L 27/00 (2006.01); F16L 27/02 (2006.01); F16L 27/11 (2006.01); F16L 51/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 27/0857 (2013.01) [F16L 27/00 (2013.01); F16L 27/02 (2013.01); F16L 27/08 (2013.01); F16L 27/11 (2013.01); F16L 51/02 (2013.01); F16L 51/025 (2013.01)] 31 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sealed joint assembly for transmitting high temperature and high pressure fluid between adjoining ducts, the joint assembly comprising:
a gimbal ring comprising at least two separate gimbal ring components, said gimbal ring components comprising:
at least one outer gimbal ring, having a first set of bores circumferentially spaced about the outer gimbal ring; and
at least one inner gimbal ring, having a second set of bores circumferentially spaced about the inner gimbal ring;
at least one first clevis comprising a first annular shroud adapted for positioning concentrically within a portion of the outer gimbal ring, said first annular shroud having a distal end, and at least two protrusions integrally formed with the first annular shroud, each protrusion extending and protruding axially away from the distal end, and each protrusion having a bore extending therethrough for alignment with a respective bore of the first set of bores in the outer gimbal ring and a respective bore of the second set of bores in the inner gimbal ring, said first clevis adapted to sealedly couple with a duct conveying high temperature and high pressure fluid;
at least one second clevis comprising a second annular shroud adapted for positioning concentrically within a portion of the outer gimbal ring, said second annular shroud having a proximal end, and at least two protrusions extending and protruding axially away from the proximal end, and each protrusion having a bore extending therethrough for alignment with a respective bore of the first set of bores in the outer gimbal ring and a respective bore of the second set of bores in the inner gimbal ring, said second clevis adapted to sealedly couple with a duct conveying high temperature and high pressure fluid; and
a bellows having a first end and a second end, said first end being sealedly coupled to the first clevis, and said second end being sealedly coupled to the second clevis,
in which at least one of the outer gimbal ring, the inner gimbal ring, the first clevis, and the second clevis is formed using geometrical and structural optimization, and
in which said inner gimbal ring is positioned concentrically within the first clevis and the second clevis, and in which said outer gimbal ring is positioned concentrically about the first clevis and the second clevis.