Aircraft Probe Protection Rigid Flange Flexible Envelope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective devices for aircraft external probes are either inadequate in sealing, require complex assembly and disassembly, and are specific to individual probes, making them difficult to use and store efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A protective device comprising a rigid flange for attachment to the aircraft surface and a flexible envelope made of airtight material, ensuring a secure seal, easy installation, and adaptability to various probe geometries, with rapid attachment means and compact storage capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid envelope is used for protection, then sealing performance is improved, but assembly and disassembly become complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into two main segments: a rigid flange portion that provides structural support and sealing, and a flexible envelope portion that covers the probe. This segmentation allows the rigid flange to ensure sealing while the flexible envelope simplifies assembly and disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The envelope is made of flexible material that can easily deform during assembly and disassembly, allowing simple installation and removal operations while the rigid flange maintains the sealing function at the connection point with the aircraft surface.
2Volume of moving object
If rigid or semi-rigid protection is shaped to match probe external geometry, then space requirement is reduced, but each protection becomes dedicated to a specific probe and cannot be interchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is designed with a standardized rigid flange that can be universally attached to the aircraft surface, while the flexible envelope can accommodate various probe geometries. This universal design allows a single type of protective device to be used across multiple different probes, enabling interchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible envelope portion can be adjusted or selected with different dimensions to match various probe sizes and shapes, while the rigid flange remains standardized. This parameter flexibility allows the same basic protective device structure to adapt to different probe configurations.
3Ease of operation
If a single fabric envelope is used for protection, then ease of installation is improved, but sealing performance becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device separates the sealing function (handled by the rigid flange) from the coverage function (handled by the flexible envelope). The rigid flange provides the necessary sealing at the aircraft surface connection, while the flexible envelope provides easy installation and probe coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A device (10) for protection of an external probe (12) of an aircraft that projects through an opening (14) that is made in the outside surface (16) of the aircraft. The protective device (10) includes a rigid flange (22) for attachment to the outside surface (16) of the aircraft and a flexible envelope (24) for protection of the probe. The flange is attached by rapid attachment elements to the outside surface of the aircraft.