CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Indian Provisional Application No. 201911032214, filed Aug. 8, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to fire and overheat detection systems, and more particularly to support assemblies and systems for fire and overheat detection systems on aircraft and aircraft engines.

Vehicles, such as aircraft, commonly include fire and overheat detection systems for monitoring spaces within the vehicle for fire and/or overheating. Fire and overheating detection systems generally include thermal detectors and/or other types of sensor elements to provide an indication of elevated temperature and/or of fire events. The thermal detectors and/or sensor elements are typically supported within (or within line of sight of) the space monitored for fire and/or overheating, generally using a mounting structure.

In the case of gas turbine engines (e.g., for the engine of an aircraft), mounting systems are typically arranged to locate or position the thermal detector(s) and/or sensor element(s) away from the engine structure. Such positioning allows the thermal detector(s) and/or sensor element(s) to monitor temperature between the engine and a nacelle that houses the engine. Such positioning avoids the need to directly contact hot surfaces of the engine and allows the mounting system to dampen vibration communicated to the thermal detector(s) or sensor element(s) from the engine. Some such systems may employ polymeric materials and/or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials to provide vibration damping. However, in some engine configurations, the temperature between the engine and the nacelle can rise to above those at which the polymeric materials and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials may change state or have altered properties, e.g., becoming brittle or melting. Such changes in the material states can limit the ability of the mounting system to dampen vibration communicated to the thermal detector(s) and/or sensor element(s).

Such systems and methods have generally been acceptable for their intended purpose. However, there remains a need for improved support systems and assemblies which may provide for vibration damping or other mounting properties to thermal detector(s) or sensor element(s) within or associated with engines of vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to some embodiments, mounting support assemblies for fire and overheat detection systems are provided. The mounting support assemblies include a support tube connector having a first portion and a second portion, wherein a captive space is defined between the first portion and the second portion, a fastener arranged at least partially within the captive space and passing through the first portion of the support tube connector, and a biasing element arranged about the fastener and positioned between an end of the fastener and the first portion of the support tube connector, the biasing element biasing the fastener in a direction toward the second portion.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the mounting support assemblies may include that the support tube connector is configured to be installed to a tube of the fire and overheat detection system.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the mounting support assemblies may include that the biasing element comprises one or more wave springs.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the mounting support assemblies may include that the biasing element is formed from steel, carbon steel, or stainless steel.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the mounting support assemblies may include a retainer configured to retain the biasing element within the captive space.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the mounting support assemblies may include that the second portion includes an aperture arranged to allow an end of the fastener to pass therethrough.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the mounting support assemblies may include a securing element configured to engage with a portion of the fastener.

According to some embodiments, fire and overheat detection systems are provided. The fire and overheat detection systems include at least one sensor element attached to a tube, a support tube connector at an end of the tube, the support tube connector having a first portion and a second portion, wherein a captive space is defined between the first portion and the second portion, a fastener arranged at least partially within the captive space and passing through the first portion of the support tube connector, the fastener configured to attach the support tube connector to a bracket of a vehicle, and a biasing element arranged about the fastener and positioned between an end of the fastener and the first portion of the support tube connector, the biasing element biasing the fastener in a direction toward the second portion.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the fire and overheat detection systems may include that the support tube connector is configured to be installed to the tube.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the fire and overheat detection systems may include that the support tube connector is integrally formed with the tube.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the fire and overheat detection systems may include that the biasing element comprises one or more wave springs.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the fire and overheat detection systems may include that the biasing element is formed from steel, carbon steel, or stainless steel.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the fire and overheat detection systems may include a retainer configured to retain the biasing element within the captive space.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the fire and overheat detection systems may include that the second portion includes an aperture arranged to allow an end of the fastener to pass therethrough.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the fire and overheat detection systems may include a securing element configured to engage with a portion of the fastener.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the fire and overheat detection systems may include that the bracket is an engine bracket of a gas turbine engine.

According to some embodiments, gas turbine engines are provided. The gas turbine engines include an engine case, an engine case bracket on an exterior of the engine case, and a fire and overheat detection system mounted to the engine case. The fire and overheat detection system includes at least one sensor element attached to a tube, a support tube connector at an end of the tube, the support tube connector having a first portion and a second portion, wherein a captive space is defined between the first portion and the second portion, a fastener arranged at least partially within the captive space and passing through the first portion of the support tube connector, the fastener configured to attach the support tube connector to the engine case, and a biasing element arranged about the fastener and positioned between an end of the fastener and the first portion of the support tube connector, the biasing element biasing the fastener in a direction toward the second portion.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the gas turbine engines may include that the biasing element comprises one or more wave springs.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the gas turbine engines may include a retainer configured to retain the biasing element within the captive space.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the gas turbine engines may include a securing element configured to engage with a portion of the fastener and secure the support tube connector to the engine case bracket.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.

