Flexible, thermal-isolating, dual-walled tube with bellows and method for manufacture thereof
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.
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 adjacent 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 metallic structure comprising a one-piece configuration such that the unitary structure excludes brazing, fasteners, or fastening means for maintaining parts in a fixed relationship as a single unit,
wherein the bellows forms a section of a single-walled configuration between the first and second fluid flow channel portions and extends from an inner wall of the dual-walled configuration of both the first and second fluid flow channels portions.
2. 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.
3. The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of claim 1 , wherein either or both of the first and second fluid flow channels comprise a curved configuration.
4. The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of claim 1 , configured for carrying oil from a first location to a second location.
5. The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of claim 1 , configured for carrying compressor air from a first location to a second location.
6. The flexible, thermal-isolating tube of claim 1 , comprising a metal super-alloy material.