US 12,449,075 B2
Aircraft pipework assembly
Anthony Bryant, Bristol (GB); and Callum Johnson, Bristol (GB)
Assigned to AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED, Bristol (GB)
Filed by AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED, Bristol (GB)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/518,143.
Claims priority of application No. 2217744 (GB), filed on Nov. 25, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0175527 A1, May 30, 2024
Int. Cl. F16L 27/02 (2006.01); B64D 37/00 (2006.01); F16L 3/16 (2006.01); B64D 37/30 (2006.01); F16L 9/18 (2006.01)
CPC F16L 27/023 (2013.01) [B64D 37/005 (2013.01); F16L 3/16 (2013.01); B64D 37/30 (2013.01); F16L 9/18 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aircraft pipework assembly comprising: an aircraft structure; pipework; a fixture arrangement between the pipework and the aircraft structure; a tie rod; a first tie rod bearing which connects the tie rod to the pipework; and a second tie rod bearing which connects the tie rod to the aircraft structure; wherein the fixture arrangement comprises a spherical bearing, the spherical bearing comprising a ball mounted to the pipework and a housing coupled to the aircraft structure; the ball comprises a convex spherical bearing surface; the housing comprises a concave spherical bearing surface which mates with the convex spherical bearing surface of the ball; and the fixture arrangement is configured to enable the pipework to translate relative to the ball in an axial direction aligned with a longitudinal axis of the pipework.