Aircraft Pressure Seal Coupling for Fast Door Seal Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure seals for aircraft cargo doors are difficult to replace and repair due to their installation requiring disconnection of mechanical and electrical components, necessitating significant time and effort, and are prone to damage during handling.
Innovation Solution
A pressure seal coupling device that engages first and second seal body end regions with positive locking mechanisms, allowing the seal to be easily installed and replaced without disconnecting mechanical or electrical connections, using resiliently deformable materials and hook-type engagement elements for secure coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure seal is installed as a closed loop passing between the piano hinge and actuator connection, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the ease of repair and replacement deteriorates due to the need to disconnect mechanical and electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure seal is divided into multiple sections with at least one separable joint that allows the seal to be opened and closed without removing it from the door. This segmentation enables the seal to be replaced by simply opening the joint rather than disconnecting the actuator and electrical connections, thus improving ease of repair while maintaining the closed-loop sealing configuration for reliability
2Reliability
If the pressure seal is installed as a closed loop passing between the piano hinge and actuator connection, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the time required for replacement increases due to disconnection procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The separable joint is pre-configured with coupling mechanisms that allow rapid connection and disconnection. The joint includes features such as coupling elements, retaining clips, or bayonet-style connectors that enable the seal to be quickly opened and replaced without time-consuming disconnection procedures, thereby reducing ground time while maintaining the closed-loop sealing for reliability
3Area of stationary object
If the pressure seal is trapped between the piano hinge and actuator connection, then the sealing coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to navigate around mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented with a separable joint positioned in an accessible location that simplifies the installation path. This allows the seal to be assembled in sections and connected at the joint, avoiding the need to navigate complex paths around the actuator and electrical connections, thus reducing installation complexity while maintaining comprehensive sealing coverage
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
Facilitates quick and efficient replacement of pressure seals with minimal disruption to aircraft operations, reducing ground time and minimizing damage to surrounding components.
Implementation Method 1
an elongate and at least partially resiliently deformable pressure seal
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure seal coupling device for coupling first and second seal body end regions of an elongate and at least partially resiliently deformable pressure seal to seal an opening providing access to a pressurizable interior space of an aircraft or spacecraft, when the opening is closed by a closure component. The coupling device includes a first coupling device portion at the first seal body end region and a second coupling device portion at the second seal body end region. The first and second coupling device portions are configured to engage with each other for coupling the first and second seal body end regions. A pressure seal includes such a coupling device, to a door of an aircraft including such a seal arranged on the door, and a method is disclosed for installing a pressure seal.