Patent attributes
A flange (28A-C, 28E, 30A-E) with a primary contact surface (29B-C, 31B-D) that is curved (C) in a section plane (P) normal to a direction of the flange around a perimeter (60) of a component. The curve may have a maximum departure (D), from a straight line drawn between the ends (34, 35) of the curve, of at least 5% of a length of the straight line. The curve may be a circular arc with a span angle (A) of at least 40 degrees. The primary contact surface (29C, 31C) may be defined by an annular portion of a torus. Alternately, the primary contact surface (31D) may follow a non-circular perimeter path. A toric or other non-planar flange interface (32A-B) may be formed by mating contact surfaces on first (22, 36) and second (24, 38) components.
