Low leakage, articulating fluid transfer tube
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorPeter W. Mueller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A transfer tube system includes a transfer tube, a spring, a pair of opposing seats, and a pair of end assemblies that provide independent axial spring loading of the opposing seats. The spring loading assures continuous sealing contact regardless of dynamic loading, dimensional stack-up, or geometry change resulting from interfaced wear. The transfer tube end assemblies include a spherical or conical seat for mating with the transfer tube. Particularly, the transfer tube has spherical ends for seating in the transfer tube end assembly seats. The conical/spherical seats permit angular motion of interfacing components without lift off and therefore assures minimal leakage.
Claims20
A transfer tube system, comprising:
- a transfer tube;
- a first transfer tube end assembly comprising a fitting having a bore extending therethrough, one end of said transfer tube positioned in said first assembly bore, and a spring located in said bore and exerting a force against said transfer tube;
- and
- a second transfer tube end assembly comprising a seat, one end of said transfer tube located in said second assembly seat, said spring contacting said seat to apply a force on said transfer tube.
A transfer tube system, comprising:
- a transfer tube;
- a first transfer tube end assembly comprising a fitting having a bore extending therethrough, a seat comprising a seating surface, one end of said transfer tube positioned in said first assembly bore and seated on said seating surface, and a spring located in said bore and exerting a force against said seat to maintain said transfer tube seated on said seating surface;
- a transfer tube fitting secured to said first assembly fitting, said transfer tube fitting having an opening therethrough, said transfer tube extending through said transfer tube fitting opening;
- and
- a second transfer tube end assembly comprising a seat, one end of said transfer tube located in said second assembly seat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.