Thermoplastic Aircraft Pipe Connector for Smooth Internal Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoplastic pipes used in aircraft fluid circuits, such as drinking water and waste water systems, experience radial deformation during cooling, leading to the formation of internal projections that can trap liquids and residues, compromising maintenance and sanitary conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pipe design featuring a connector with a beveled free longitudinal end that deforms radially during assembly, maintaining a constant interior radius and utilizing the connector's elasticity to align parallel to the pipe axis during cooling, preventing fluid retention and enhancing sanitary maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the connector is made of thermoplastic material to reduce weight, then the weight of the pipe system is reduced, but radial deformation during cooling creates internal projections that trap fluids and compromise sanitary conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the connector by adding a beveled portion at the free longitudinal end. This beveled geometry allows the connector to deform radially during cooling without creating internal projections, as the bevel accommodates the dimensional changes while maintaining a smooth internal surface profile that prevents fluid trapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The beveled portion is pre-formed on the connector before assembly. This preliminary geometric feature ensures that when the connector is inserted into the heated pipe and subsequently cools, the bevel already exists to guide and accommodate the radial deformation, preventing projection formation from the outset rather than requiring post-assembly correction.
2Reliability
If the rigidity of the connector is increased to limit radial deformation during cooling, then internal projections are reduced, but the weight reduction benefit of thermoplastic material is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the material rigidity parameter, the invention changes the geometric parameters of the connector by adding a beveled portion. This geometric modification allows the same thermoplastic material to accommodate radial deformation during cooling without forming projections, maintaining both weight reduction and sanitary reliability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the connector is designed with a constant interior radius to prevent fluid retention, then sanitary maintenance is improved, but the connector cannot accommodate radial deformation during cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamic element to the connector through the beveled portion, which allows the connector to adapt its shape during the cooling process. The bevel enables controlled radial deformation while maintaining a smooth internal surface, transitioning the connector from a rigid constant-radius design to a dynamic design that accommodates thermal contraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The beveled portion changes the geometric parameters of the connector's free longitudinal end, creating a tapered geometry that accommodates radial deformation. This parameter change allows the internal radius to remain smooth and continuous during cooling, preventing fluid trapping while allowing the necessary dimensional changes.
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 solution ensures a watertight, robust connection without internal projections, improving the quality of sanitary maintenance and reliability of the pipe system by maintaining a constant interior radius and preventing fluid retention.
Implementation Method 1
the connection end 11 of the pipe 1 is heated so as to become malleable and expand radially
Implementation Method 2
Following assembly, the connection end 11 and the connector 2 are cooled. Upon cooling, the connection end 101 shrinks radially around the connecting portion 121 of the connector 2
Implementation Method 3
the free longitudinal end which is bevelled, the free longitudinal end being configured to be radially deformed following the mounting of the connector in the connection end
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 7~10
AI summary
A fluid conduit for aircraft, the conduit comprising a pipe made from thermoplastic material comprising a connection end which extends along a pipe axis and a connector which is intended to be mounted in the connection end by a translational movement along the pipe axis in a downstream direction, the connector comprising a joining portion (21) which extends longitudinally along the connector axis and which is configured to extend into the connection end, the joining portion (21) comprising a free longitudinal end (21a) which is chamfered, the free longitudinal end (21a) being configured to be radially deformed after the connector is mounted in the connection end, which has been thermally expanded beforehand, so that the conduit has an internal surface which has an internal radius which is substantially constant at the interface between the connector and the pipe.