Aircraft Section Sidewall Gaps for Rapid Decompression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft cabin air removal and decompression systems are complex and require extensive admission and certification processes, making development and manufacturing time-consuming and expensive.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft section design featuring a sidewall with a rapid decompression unit mounted between the sidewall and primary structure, allowing for air flow gaps that simplify the sidewall structure and reduce the need for complex certification, while the decompression unit itself is less complex and requires separate certification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated structures with slit panels or grills are arranged in the corner area for air removal, then air removal function is achieved, but device complexity and certification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the air removal function from the complex dedicated structures (slit panels or grills) and relocates it to a simplified sidewall design with a gap configuration. The exhaust air is removed through the gap between the sidewall and cabin floor, eliminating the need for complex panels while maintaining the air removal function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating a specific gap configuration (first distance of 1-3 inches and second distance of 1-2 inches) in the sidewall region. This localized gap design provides the necessary air flow path without requiring complex structures across the entire sidewall, thus simplifying the overall device while maintaining functionality.
2Reliability
If complex structures and panels are used for air removal, then air removal performance is ensured, but admission and certification processes become time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex dedicated structures (slit panels or grills) that require extensive certification processes. By extracting this function and implementing it through a simple gap configuration in the sidewall, the design reduces both structural complexity and the associated time-consuming admission and certification processes.
3Speed
If rapid decompression units are integrated into complex sidewall structures, then decompression capability is improved, but device complexity and certification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the rapid decompression unit with the simplified sidewall gap structure. The decompression unit utilizes the existing gap configuration (first and second distances) to achieve rapid decompression without requiring separate complex structures. This integration maintains decompression speed while reducing overall device complexity and certification requirements.
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 design enables efficient air exchange and rapid decompression without complicating the sidewall structure, reducing certification requirements and manufacturing costs, while maintaining compliance with standard regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a first distance between the bottom edge and the cabin floor is between 1 inch and 3 inch (25.4 mm to 76.2 mm), preferably between 1.5 inch and 2 inch (38.1 mm to 50.8 mm). For example, the first distance can be 2 inch (50.8 mm). Thus, when contemplating a cross-section through the aircraft section, particularly a cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the aircraft, the sidewall ends above the cabin floor. The gap between the cabin floor and the bottom edge of the sidewall allows an air flow from the passenger cabin towards an area behind the sidewall and vice versa.
Implementation Method 2
A second distance between the sidewall and a portion of the rapid decompression unit closest to the sidewall is between 1 inch and 2 inch (25.4 mm to 50.8 mm), preferably between 1 inch and 1.5 inch (25.4 mm to 38.1 mm). For example, the second distance can be 1 inch (25.4 mm). Thus, again with respect to the cross-section through the aircraft section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, a gap between and exterior side of the sidewall (facing the primary structure) and the rapid decompression unit has a thickness of at least the second distance. Again, the second distance allows a sufficient volume flow to exchange the air in the passenger cabin in accordance with standard regulations.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft section comprising a primary structure forming at least a portion of an aircraft fuselage, a cabin floor coupled to the primary structure, a sidewall covering at least a portion of the primary structure, and a rapid decompression unit arranged between the sidewall and the primary structure. The sidewall has a certain distance to the cabin floor and the rapid decompression unit has a certain distance to the sidewall.