Claims
- 1. A fluid system, comprising:a fluid duct assembly which comprises first and second duct sections, first and second gimbal joints interconnected with said first and second duct sections, respectively, and a first slip joint which slidably interconnects said first and second duct sections and which is both dynamic, redundantly sealed, wherein said first slip joint is disposed between said first and second gimbal joints, wherein said first duct section comprises first, second, third, and fourth annular grooves that are longitudinally spaced, wherein said first slip joint comprises a first annular seal disposed in said first annular groove, a second annular seal disposed in said second annular groove, a first bushing disposed in said third annular groove and being a different structure than said first duct section, and a second bushing disposed in said fourth annular groove and being a different structure than said first duct section, wherein said first and second annular grooves are located at some longitudinal location that is between said third and fourth annular grooves; a rocket fuel tank which is interconnected with one of said first duct section and said second duct section; and a rocket engine which is interconnected with the other of said first duct section and said second duct section.
- 2. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first and second duct sections each comprise first and second longitudinally spaced ends, wherein said first gimbal joint is interconnected with said first end of said first duct section, wherein said second gimbal joint is interconnected with said first end of said second duct section, wherein said second end of one of said first an d second duct sections extends within said second end of the other of said first and second duct sections, and wherein said first slip joint is disposed between an annular space between portions of said first and second duct sections.
- 3. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first slip joint interconnects said first and second duct sections in telescoping relation, wherein said first and second bushings comprise means for inhibiting contact between said first and second duct sections.
- 4. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first and second bushings comprise means for carrying a load which is exerted on said duct assembly and applied to said first slip joint.
- 5. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:said first and second annular seals each comprises first and second legs with a first space therebetween, wherein said first leg interfaces with said first duct section and said second leg interfaces with said second duct section, wherein said first slip joint further comprises first and second annular biasing members disposed in said first space of said first and second annular seals, respectively, wherein each of said first and second annular biasing members biases its corresponding said first leg toward said first duct section and its corresponding said second leg toward said second duct section.
- 6. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first slip joint comprises:means for inhibiting extrusion of said first and second annular seals.
- 7. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first slip joint comprises:first and second backup rings disposed in said first and second annular grooves, respectively, and engaged with an end of said first and second annular seals that is opposite an end of said first and second annular seals that has said first and second legs and said first space therebetween.
- 8. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:a length of said duct assembly is about 2 feet.
- 9. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:a liquid propellant disposed within said fluid duct assembly.
- 10. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first slip joint comprises:means for inhibiting extrusion of said first and second annular seals.
- 11. A fluid system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first slip joint comprises:first and second backup rings disposed in said first and second annular grooves, respectively, and engaged with an end of said first and second annular seals that is opposite an end of said first and second annular seals that has said first and second legs and said first space.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This utility patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/140,916, which is entitled “SLIP JOINT DUCT SYSTEM,” which was filed on Jun. 24,1999, and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
658926 |
May 1965 |
BE |
2204015 |
Aug 1973 |
DE |
1265791 |
Mar 1972 |
GB |
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60/140916 |
Jun 1999 |
US |