Aircraft Insulation Blanket Grommet Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft thermal acoustic insulation blankets tend to sag during installation and operation, which impedes drainage paths and can lead to moisture accumulation and corrosion, necessitating a solution that enhances rigidity and maintains separation from the composite skin while meeting fire penetration resistance regulations.

Innovation Solution

A thermal acoustic insulation blanket comprising a composite laminate forming a burn-through layer, combined with batting for acoustic and thermal insulation, and grommets that extend through the layers to maintain rigidity and prevent contact with the aircraft skin, ensuring improved drainage and moisture management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional insulation blanket materials are used, then flexibility and ease of installation are improved, but rigidity deteriorates causing the blanket to sag and contact the fuselage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple layers including a burn-through resistant laminate layer, acoustic insulation batting, and a moisture barrier film. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for installation and the rigidity to prevent sagging, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation blanket is segmented into distinct functional layers: a burn-through resistant laminate layer for structural integrity, acoustic insulation batting for noise reduction, and a moisture barrier film for corrosion prevention. Each layer contributes specific properties that collectively resolve the rigidity-flexibility contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the insulation blanket is made more rigid to prevent sagging, then drainage path maintenance is improved, but the blanket may contact the composite skin causing moisture accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape stabilityVSAvoidmoisture accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a moisture barrier film as an intermediary layer between the insulation blanket and the composite skin. This film prevents direct contact and moisture accumulation while allowing the blanket to maintain its rigid shape through the composite laminate structure, resolving the contradiction between shape stability and moisture protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The moisture barrier film acts as a flexible protective shell that conforms to the blanket's shape while preventing moisture transfer. This thin film structure allows the blanket to maintain rigidity for drainage path stability without causing harmful moisture accumulation on the composite skin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If grommets are installed through the blanket layers, then drainage functionality is improved, but fire penetration resistance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage functionalityVSAvoidfire penetration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drainage function from the blanket material itself and implements it through separate grommet components installed through dedicated openings. This allows the main blanket layers to maintain continuous fire-resistant coverage while grommets provide localized drainage functionality, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The grommets are designed as separate, replaceable components that can be installed and removed as needed. This allows maintenance of drainage functionality without compromising the permanent fire-resistant structure of the blanket, as grommets can be replaced if they become compromised while the main blanket remains intact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11858614B2Aircraft thermal acoustic insulation blanket
Publication Date: 2024.01.02 THE BOEING CO
  • US11858614B2 patent drawing
  • US11858614B2 patent drawing
  • US11858614B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A thermal acoustic insulation blanket is presented. The thermal acoustic insulation blanket comprises a composite laminate forming a burn through layer.