Coupling assembly

A gas turbine engine assembly for sealingly coupling adjoining ends of first and second fluid carrying tubes in a gas turbine engine comprising:

• a first tubular fitting fixedly joinable at a proximal end to said first tube, and having a first annular mating flange at a distal end thereof;
• said first mating flange including an annular first flat face on one side thereof extending radially outwardly to a perimeter of said first mating flange, and an annular first inclined face on an opposite side thereof, and a counterbore extending inwardly from said first flat face into said first fitting;
• a second tubular fitting fixedly joinable at a proximal end to said second tube, and having a second annular mating flange at a distal end thereof;
• said second mating flange including an annular second flat face on one side thereof extending radially outwardly to a perimeter of said second mating flange being complementary to said first flat face for facing said first flat face, an annular second inclined face on an opposite side thereof, and a pilot tube extending outwardly directly from said second flat face and being complementary to said counterbore for being disposed therein;
• an annular elastomeric seal being disposable between said first and second fittings;
• and
• a clamping band having a generally V-shaped cross section complementary in configuration with said first and second inclined faces when said first and second fittings are assembled together, and including an adjustable fastener for effecting hoop tension in said band for axially clamping together said first and second flanges by axially directed forces generated by tightening said band against said first and second inclined faces to effect a leak-proof coupling between said first and second fittings in said gas turbine engine, with a distal end of said pilot tube being spaced away from a bottom step of said counterbore to provide a clearance therebetween.