Flexible Interface for Aircraft Fire Suppression Conduit Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interfaces between fire suppressant conduits and cargo compartments in aircraft are complex and time-consuming for maintenance, as they do not effectively absorb relative movements between the conduits and the cargo panels, potentially inducing damaging forces during normal aircraft operation.

Innovation Solution

A flexible interface between the fire suppressant conduit and the cargo panel, comprising a sealing member and an adaptor, which absorbs relative movement and provides a seal to prevent hazardous substances from entering the passenger cabin, allowing for easier maintenance by enabling the removal of cargo panels without disassembling the fire suppressant conduit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid interface is used between the fire suppressant conduit and the cargo panel, then the structural integrity and sealing are improved, but the maintenance complexity increases and time-consuming disassembly is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is divided into separate components: a cargo panel with an opening, a conduit, and a flexible coupling element. This segmentation allows the panel to be removed independently from the conduit assembly, simplifying maintenance while maintaining sealing integrity through the flexible coupling component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible interface element (such as a flexible membrane or bellows) is used to couple the rigid conduit to the cargo panel. This flexible element provides the necessary sealing while accommodating relative movements and allowing the panel to be removed without disassembling the conduit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed rigid connection is used between the conduit and cargo panel, then the structural stability is improved, but the damage from vibrations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvibration damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible interface element acts as a vibration isolator between the rigid conduit and the cargo panel. It absorbs vibrational energy and accommodates relative movements caused by aircraft operations, preventing vibration damage while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible interface element is pre-installed to provide cushioning against vibrational forces and relative movements before they occur during aircraft operation. This preemptive cushioning protects the rigid components from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If a complex interface design is used to ensure sealing and structural integrity, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single flexible interface element provides both sealing and accommodation of relative movements, replacing what would otherwise require a complex assembly of rigid components, gaskets, and fasteners. This simplifies the overall interface design while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The flexible interface simplifies maintenance tasks by allowing the removal and reinstallation of cargo panels without disassembling the fire suppressant conduit, reducing the risk of damage from vibrations and ensuring effective fire suppression while meeting FAA requirements for class C cargo compartments.

Implementation Method 1

the flexible interface being configured to absorb at least some relative movement between the cargo panel and the fire suppressant conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2964342B1Interface between fire suppressant conduit and cargo compartment of an aircraft

Publication Date: 2021.05.19 AIRBUS CANADA LLP

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AI summary

Apparatus and methods related to fire suppression in cargo compartments of aircraft are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus provides an interface (38) between a fire suppressant conduit (18) and a cargo panel (28) of a cargo compartment (12) of an aircraft (10). The apparatus comprises an adaptor (40) configured to provide the fire suppressant conduit (18) access to the cargo compartment (12) through the cargo panel (28) and a sealing member (42) configured to provide a seal between the adaptor (40) and the fire suppressant conduit (18). The adaptor (40) comprises an aperture (56) for receiving the fire suppressant conduit (18) where the aperture (56) is sized to permit passage of a nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) therethrough. Associated methods (600, 700) for removing the cargo panel (28) of the cargo compartment (12) of the aircraft (10) without disassembly of the nozzle (36) of the fire suppressant conduit (18) are also disclosed.