Shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus

Abstract

A shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus is provided that includes at least one outer conduit and at least one inner conduit disposed within the outer conduit. Preferably, the shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus further includes at least one shrouded end fitting disposed at an end of the shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus and at least one support member engaged with the inner and outer conduits. The shrouded end fitting allows the shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus to be engaged with an additional shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus. The support member allows for the transfer of loads from the inner and/or outer conduits to one or more components external to the shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus. Accordingly, the shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus may be used to transport fuel through an aircraft “ignition zone” in an FAA-compliant manner.

1 . A method of conducting fluid within an aircraft, the method comprising shrouding an inner conduit, coupling the inner conduit to supporting structure within the aircraft to allow the inner conduit to transfer a load to an external component, placing the inner conduit in communication with a source of fluid, and delivering fluid from the source to the inner conduit to communicate the fluid through the inner conduit.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling the inner conduit includes coupling the inner conduit to supporting structure within an ignition zone of the aircraft, and wherein delivering fluid includes delivering fuel from the source to the inner conduit to communicate the fuel through the ignition zone.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method includes coupling a support member to the inner conduit.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein coupling a support member includes slidably positioning the support member over the inner conduit such that the inner conduit extends outwardly from each side of the support member.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein coupling a support member includes welding corresponding portions of the inner conduit into weld sockets defined by the support member.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein shrouding includes slidably positioning first and second portions of an outer conduit over the inner conduit, and welding the first and second portions of the outer conduit into weld sockets defined by the support member.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein shrouding includes disposing the inner conduit within an outer conduit.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removably coupling the inner conduit between at least two other fluid-conducting apparatus to place the inner conduit in fluid communication with the other fluid-conducting apparatus.  
   
   
       9 . A support member for a shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus including at least one outer conduit and at least one inner conduit disposed within the at least one outer conduit, the support member comprising an inner member engageable with the at least one inner conduit, and an outer member defining weld sockets sized to engage corresponding portions of the at least one outer conduit, the inner and outer members being separated by a spaced distance to define a leak detection passageway therebetween, the support member being coupled to supporting structure within an aircraft and enabling transfer of loads from the at least one inner conduit engaged with the inner member to one or more components external to the shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus.  
   
   
       10 . The support member of  claim 9 , wherein the support member is coupled to supporting structure within an ignition zone of the aircraft.  
   
   
       11 . The support member of  claim 10 , wherein the support member is coupled to the supporting structure such that the at least one inner conduit is allowed to remain in communication with a source of fuel to communicate the fuel through the ignition zone.  
   
   
       12 . The support member of  claim 9 , wherein the support member inhibits movement of the at least one inner conduit relative to the at least one outer conduit when the at least one inner conduit is engaged to the inner member and the corresponding portions of the at least one outer conduit are welded to the weld sockets of the outer member.  
   
   
       13 . The support member of  claim 9 , wherein the inner member defines weld sockets sized to engage corresponding portions of the at least inner outer conduit.  
   
   
       14 . The support member of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one fin disposed between the inner and outer members.  
   
   
       15 . The support member of  claim 14 , wherein at least one fin of the support member defines a passageway therethrough in which is installed at least a portion of a fluid control system.  
   
   
       16 . A shrouded-fluid conducting apparatus comprising the support member of  claim 9 .  
   
   
       17 . A shrouded fluid-conducting apparatus comprising means for delivering fuel from a source through an ignition zone of an aircraft, means for shrouding the means for delivering, and means for coupling the means for delivering to supporting structure within the aircraft, the means for coupling enabling transfer of loads from the means for delivering to an external component.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising means for removably coupling the means for delivering between at least two other fluid-conducting apparatus.