Flexible, thermal-isolating, dual-walled tube with bellows and method for manufacture thereof

Abstract

A flexible, thermal-isolating tube includes a first fluid flow channel portion having a dual-walled configuration, a second fluid flow channel portion having a dual-walled configuration, and a bellows disposed between and coupled to each of the first and second fluid flow channel portions. The flexible, thermal-isolating tube, including each of the first and second fluid flow channel portions, and the bellows, is configured as a unitary structure. The flexible, thermal-isolating tube is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process. The flexible, thermal-isolating tube is disposed within a gas turbine engine

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible, thermal-isolating tube, comprising:
 a first fluid flow channel portion having a dual-walled configuration;   a second fluid flow channel portion having a dual-walled configuration; and   a bellows disposed between and coupled to each of the first and second fluid flow channel portions,   wherein the flexible, thermal-isolating tube, including each of the first and second fluid flow channel portions, and the bellows, is configured as a unitary structure.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 1 , wherein the bellows extends from an inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of both the first and second fluid flow channels. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 1 , wherein the bellows extends from an outer wall of the dual-walled configuration of both the first and second fluid flow channels. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 3 , wherein an inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of the first fluid flow channel has a diameter that is less than an inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of the second fluid flow channel such that the inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of the second fluid flow channel overlaps the inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of the first fluid flow channel at a slip fit portion. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 3 , wherein an inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of the first fluid flow channel has a diameter that is substantially the same as an inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of the second fluid flow channel such that the inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of the second first fluid flow channel and the inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of the second fluid flow channel form an integral structure of substantially constant diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 1 , wherein the bellows is an inner bellows, and wherein the flexible, thermal-isolating tube comprises a second bellow that is an outer bellows, the outer bellows being disposed about the inner bellows, wherein the inner bellows extends from an inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of both the first and second fluid flow channels and the outer bellows extends from an outer wall of the dual-walled configuration of both the first and second fluid flow channels. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 1 , wherein the bellows comprises a heat shield member surrounding the bellows. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fluid flow channels each independently comprise an end portion chosen from: a cylindrical end portion or a flange end portion. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 1 , wherein either or both of the first and second fluid flow channels comprise a curved configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 1 , wherein either or both of the first and second fluid flow channels comprises a non-circular cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 1 , configured for carrying oil from a first location to a second location. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 1 , configured for carrying compressor air from a first location to a second location. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of  claim 1 , comprising a metal super-alloy material. 
     
     
         14 . A gas turbine engine, comprising:
 a compressor section;   a combustor section; and   a turbine section, wherein:   at least one of the compressor, combustor, and turbine sections comprises a flexible, thermal-isolating tube comprising:
 a first fluid flow channel portion having a dual-walled configuration; 
 a second fluid flow channel portion having a dual-walled configuration; and 
 a bellows disposed between and coupled to each of the first and second fluid flow channel portions, 
 wherein the flexible, thermal-isolating tube, including each of the first and second fluid flow channel portions, and the bellows, is configured as a unitary structure. 
   
     
     
         15 . A method for manufacturing a flexible, thermal-isolating tube, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 generating a three-dimensional model of the flexible, thermal-isolating tube, wherein the three-dimensional model comprises:
 a first fluid flow channel portion having a dual-walled configuration; 
 a second fluid flow channel portion having a dual-walled configuration; and 
 a bellows disposed between and coupled to each of the first and second fluid flow channel portions, 
 wherein the flexible, thermal-isolating tube, including each of the first and second fluid flow channel portions, and the bellows, is configured as a unitary structure; and 
   fabricating the flexible, thermal-isolating tube in accordance with the three-dimensional model using an additive manufacturing process.