Gimbal joint and method
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorsGraeme Thorogood, William Denning, Nathaniel Johnson, Juan J. Lara, Julien H. Cohen, Ricky Sasmal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gimbal joint includes a monolithic first member including a first connection portion; and a monolithic second member including a second connection portion engaged with the first connection portion such that the monolithic first member and the monolithic second member are configured to move relative to each other about a plurality of axes. The first member may include a plurality of structural portions and a support base. The support base may include an axially-extending aperture that extends through the support base.
Claims13
A gimbal joint, comprising:
- a monolithic first member including a first connection portion, wherein the monolithic first member is configured for connection with a first high temperature fluid duct;
- and
- a monolithic second member including a second connection portion engaged with the first connection portion, wherein the monolithic second member is configured for connection with a second high temperature fluid duct;
- wherein the monolithic first member and the monolithic second member are configured to move relative to each other about a plurality of axes;
- and
- wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion each includes a curved section, wherein each of the curved section of the first connection portion and the curved section of the second connection portion are substantially u-shaped and form a first loop and a second loop that interlock with one another.
A gimbal joint comprising:
- a monolithic first member including a first connection portion, wherein the monolithic first member is configured for connection with a first high temperature fluid duct;
- and
- a monolithic second member including a second connection portion engaged with the first connection portion, wherein the monolithic second member is configured for connection with a second high temperature fluid duct;
- wherein the monolithic first member and the monolithic second member are configured to move relative to each other about a plurality of axes;
- wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion each includes a curved section directly engaged with one another;
- and wherein the curved section of the first connection portion includes a first loop, and the curved section of the second connection portion includes a second loop engaged with the first loop.
A gimbal joint comprising:
- a monolithic first member including a first connection portion, wherein the monolithic first member is configured for connection with a first high temperature fluid duct;
- and
- a monolithic second member including a second connection portion engaged with the first connection portion, wherein the monolithic second member is configured for connection with a second high temperature fluid duct;
- wherein the monolithic first member and the monolithic second member are configured to move relative to each other about a plurality of axes;
- wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion each includes a curved section directly engaged with one another;
- and wherein the monolithic first member is substantially identical to the monolithic second member.
A gimbal joint comprising:
- a monolithic first member including a first connection portion, wherein the monolithic first member is configured for connection with a first high temperature fluid duct;
- and
- a monolithic second member including a second connection portion engaged with the first connection portion, wherein the monolithic second member is configured for connection with a second high temperature fluid duct;
- wherein the monolithic first member and the monolithic second member are configured to move relative to each other about a plurality of axes;
- wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion each includes a curved section directly engaged with one another;
- and wherein the monolithic first member includes a plurality of support members and a support base;
- and the support base includes an axially-extending aperture that extends through the support base;
- wherein the axially-extending aperture provides clearance between the support base of the monolithic first member and a loop portion of the monolithic second member.
A gimbal joint, comprising:
- a monolithic first member including a first connection portion, wherein the monolithic first member is configured for connection with a first high temperature fluid duct;
- and
- a monolithic second member including a second connection portion engaged with the first connection portion, wherein the monolithic second member is configured for connection with a second high temperature fluid duct;
- wherein the monolithic first member and the monolithic second member are configured to move relative to each other about a plurality of axes;
- and
- wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion each includes a curved section, wherein each of the curved section of the first connection portion and the curved section of the second connection portion are substantially u-shaped and directly engaged with one another, wherein the monolithic first member includes a plurality of support members and a support base;
- and the support base includes an axially-extending aperture that extends through the support base.
A gimbal joint, comprising:
- a monolithic first member including a first connection portion, wherein the monolithic first member is configured for connection with a first high temperature fluid duct;
- and
- a monolithic second member including a second connection portion engaged with the first connection portion, wherein the monolithic second member is configured for connection with a second high temperature fluid duct;
- wherein the monolithic first member and the monolithic second member are configured to move relative to each other about a plurality of axes;
- wherein the monolithic first member includes a cylindrical first outer wall and also includes a plurality of first structural portions that extend radially from the first connection portion to an inner surface of the first outer wall, wherein the plurality of first structural portions are circumferentially spaced about the first outer wall, and wherein the plurality of first structural portions are integrally formed with the first connection portion;
- and
- wherein the monolithic second member includes a cylindrical second outer wall and also includes a plurality of second structural portions that extend radially from the second connection portion to an inner surface of the second outer wall, wherein the plurality of second structural portions are circumferentially spaced about the second outer wall, and wherein the plurality of second structural portions are integrally formed with the second connection portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.