초록 ▼

An aircraft engine bleed air ducting system including at least one universal ball joint within said ducting, said joint fitted with an annular bearing seal to seal and reduce the coefficient of friction between moving parts in said joint during angulation of said joint. The annular bearing seal incl

An aircraft engine bleed air ducting system including at least one universal ball joint within said ducting, said joint fitted with an annular bearing seal to seal and reduce the coefficient of friction between moving parts in said joint during angulation of said joint. The annular bearing seal includes a reinforcement wire surrounded by a graphite composition, which composition is in direct contact with parts of said bearing seal and said wire aids in prevention of deformation of said bearing seal.

대표청구항 ▼

In a universal ball joint, for an annular bleed high temperature air ducting which includes at least two pieces each having a plane with said universal ball joint interposed between said pieces of ducting, said universal ball joint capable of angulation to change the direction of said pieces of duct

In a universal ball joint, for an annular bleed high temperature air ducting which includes at least two pieces each having a plane with said universal ball joint interposed between said pieces of ducting, said universal ball joint capable of angulation to change the direction of said pieces of ducting, said universal ball joint having an annular first half secured to one of said pieces of said ducting, and an annular second half secured to the other of said pieces of said ducting an annular bellows within said ball joint between and uniting each of said pieces of ducting one with the other, said first half of said ball joint having a race portion overlying said bellows and a portion of said second half, said second half of said ball joint having a retainer portion underlying said race creating a bearing seal space therebetween, and said race portion movable with respect to said retainer portion when either of said halves angulate with respect to each other, the improvement comprising: an annular non-deflecting bearing seal adapted to be interfitted within said bearing seal space to act as a bearing and seal upon which said race rides with a low coefficient of friction, said bearing seal includes a non-layered graphite composition multifaced band, and a reinforcing core of a different material than said graphite composition; said retainer portion of said second half of said ball joint having two faces at angles one to the other and two faces of said multifaced band correspond to the angular relationship of said two faces of said retainer whereby said bearing seal is seated thereagainst in a fixed position; and said race portion of said first half of said ball joint includes a seal bearing face above said retainer portion of a different angle than either of said two faces of said retainer and said bearing includes another of its multifaces corresponding to the angle of said bearing face.