Grommeted bypass duct penetration

Abstract

A bypass duct sealing grommet, for sealing between an opening in a gas turbine engine bypass duct wall and an external surface of a projection extending through the opening, where the grommet has an annular body with a central aperture having an internal periphery adapted to sealingly engage the external surface of the projection. A first flange and a second flange define an external slot about an exterior periphery of the body adapted to receive and seal the bypass duct wall between the flanges.

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       18 . A turbofan engine comprising: 
 an annular bypass duct wall having a generally circular opening defined therein by a peripheral edge;    a projection extending generally perpendicularly through the opening, the projection having an external surface;    an annular body sealingly engaging the bypass duct wall peripheral edge along an external periphery of the body and sealingly engaging the projection external surface along an internal periphery of the body, the body resiliently connecting the bypass duct wall and the projection to provide a seal preventing air passing through the opening in response to an air pressure differential thereacross, said resilient connection adapted to permit relative movement between the bypass duct wall and the projection while maintaining said seal.    
   
   
       19 . The turbofan engine of  claim 18 , wherein said permitted relative movement is directed substantially normal to the opening.  
   
   
       20 . The turbofan engine of  claim 18 , wherein said permitted relative movement is due to a change in a relative angle between the bypass duct wall and the projection.  
   
   
       21 . The turbofan engine of  claim 18 , wherein said permitted relative movement is directed substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bypass duct.  
   
   
       22 . The turbofan engine of  claim 18 , wherein the resilient connection by reason of its shape and composition provides a variation in resistance to said relative movement.  
   
   
       23 . The turbofan engine of  claim 18 , wherein the body comprises a flexible portion engaging the bypass duct wall and a less flexible portion engaging the projection external surface.  
   
   
       24 . The turbofan engine of  claim 23 , wherein said variation in flexibility is caused by said portion of the body engaging the projection external surface being relatively thicker than said portion engaging the bypass duct wall.  
   
   
       25 . The turbofan engine of  claim 24 , wherein the body has a thickness which transitions smoothly from said portion of the body engaging the projection external surface to said portion engaging the bypass duct wall.  
   
   
       26 . The turbofan engine of  claim 18 , wherein an inner portion of the body provides said engagement with the projection external surface, the portion adapted by its shape and composition to improve a sealing effectiveness of said engagement in response to said relative movement.  
   
   
       27 . The turbofan engine of  claim 19 , wherein an inner portion of the body provides said engagement with the projection external surface, the portion adapted by its shape and composition to improve a sealing effectiveness of said engagement in response to said relative movement.  
   
   
       28 . The turbofan engine of  claim 20 , wherein an inner portion of the body provides said engagement with the projection external surface, the portion adapted by its shape and composition to improve a sealing effectiveness of said engagement in response to said relative movement.  
   
   
       29 . The turbofan engine of  claim 18 , wherein the bypass duct wall peripheral edge is engaged between spaced-apart opposed portions of the body defining a continuous slot.