US3854503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flame tubes
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
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Filing: 1971-08-05
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1991-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A flame tube for a gas turbine engine includes a pair of axially aligned tube members which are open at both ends, one of the members being of ceramic material. The tube members are clamped together by means which permits differential thermal expansion between the clamping means and the tube members without imparting undue stress to the latter.
Inventors
- 👤 T Nelson
- 👤 G Nelson
- 👤 R Lindop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:02
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23R; F23R3/00; F23R3/007; F23D; F23D11/00; F23D11/36; F23D11/40; F23D11/404
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A flame tube for a gas turbine engine, comprising a first tube member of ceramic material having openings at both ends, one of the said openings forming an inlet for the flame tube, a baffle within the inlet and adapted to direct air entering the inlet against the wall of the first tube member, an axially aligned second tube member spaced from the end of the first tube member remote from the said inlet and having at its end remote from the inlet an opening which forms the flame tube outlet, a plurality of passages for air in the wall of the second tube member, and clamping means engaging both of the tube members to maintain them in aligned spaced relationship, the said clamping means permitting differential thermal expansion between the clamping means and the tube members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A flame tube for a gas turbine engine, comprising a first tube member of ceramic material having openings at both ends, one of the said openings forming an inlet for the flame tube, a baffle within the inlet and adapted to direct air entering the inlet against the wall of the first tube member, an axially aligned second tube member spaced from the end of the first tube member remote from the said inlet and having at its end remote from the inlet an opening which forms the flame tube outlet, a plurality of passages for air in the wall of the second tube member, and clamping means engaging both of the tube members to maintain them in aligned spaced relationship, the said clamping means permitting differential thermal expansion between the clamping means and the tube members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flame tube according to claim 1 in which the first tube member comprises a plurality of arcuate sections secured together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flame tube according to claim 2 in which the first tube member comprises four substantially identical quadrant sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The flame tube according to claim 2 in which the sections have pairs of outwardly extending lugs, each lug abutting a lug on an adjacent section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The flame tube according to claim 4 in which the remote surfaces of pairs of abutting lugs define a wedge shape whose apex is directed inwardly of the flame tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The flame tube according to claim 5 in which the clamping means comprises pairs of elements in clamping engagement with respective pairs of lugs, and a plurality of axially extending members respectively secured to said pairs of elements and to the second tube member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flame tube according to claim 6 in which the clamping means further includes a support ring secured to said elements and surrounding said first tube member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flame tube according to claim 6 in which the second tube member iS formed of ceramic material and comprises a plurality of arcuate sections secured together by said clamping means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flame tube according to claim 8 in which the number of sections in the second tube member is the same as the number of sections in the first tube member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The flame tube according to claim 8 in which the sections of the second tube member have pairs of outwardly extending lugs, each lug abutting a lug on an adjacent section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The flame tube according to claim 10 in which the remote surfaces of pairs of abutting lugs define a wedge shape whose apex is directed inwardly of the flame tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flame tube according to claim 11 in which the clamping means includes pairs of elements in clamping engagement with the respective pairs of lugs on the second tube member, and secured to the axially extending members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The flame tube according to claim 11 in which the clamping means further includes a ring secured to the axially extending members and surrounding the second tube member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The flame tube according to claim 1 in which the first tube member comprises a plurality of axially aligned frusto conical rings which are urged together by securing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
The flame tube according to claim 14 in which the first tube member has at one end thereof a ring having a first frusto-conical surface engaging the surface of an adjacent frusto-conical ring and a second frusto conical surface whose apex is directed axially of the flame tube in the opposite direction to the apices of the said frusto-conical rings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flame tube according to claim 14 in which the securing means comprises a pair of clamp rings respectively engaging the end rings of the first tube member and means for urging the clamp rings towards one another.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The flame tube according to claim 16 in which the securing means forms part of the said clamping means, the means for urging the said clamp rings together comprising a plurality of rods which are also secured to the second tube member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
86 words
The flame tube according to claim 1 in which the first tube member has a flange formed with a pair of substantially coaxial frusto conical surfaces having apices which are substantially coincident with each other and with the flame tube axis, and in which the clamping means includes first and second rings coaxial with the first tube member and having frusto conical surfaces whose included angles are substantially equal to the included angles of the respective surfaces of the flange, and means securing the rings together.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The flame tube according to claim 18 in which the clamping means included a substantially cylindrical perforated sheet surrounding the tube members, said sheet being secured to one of the said rings and supporting the second tube member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
95 words
The flame according to claim 18 in which the second tube member is formed of ceramic material and has a flange formed with a pair of substantially coaxial frusto conical surfaces having apices which are substantially coincident with each other and with the flame tube axis, and in which the clamping means includes third and fourth rings coaxial with the second tube member and having frusto conical surfaces whose included angles are substantially equal to the included angles of the respective surfaces of the associated flange, and means securing the third and fourth rings together.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flame tube according to claim 20 in which the ceramic material is silicon nitride.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flame tube according to claim 1, in which the material of the first tube member is silicon nitride.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The flame tube according to claim 1, in which the baffle is formed of a ceramic material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |