Printed Aircraft Surface Patterns for Cabin Moisture Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing moisture management systems in aircraft are heavy, costly, and reduce the effectiveness of moisture management devices due to compression during installation, leading to inefficiencies in managing condensation within the aircraft.

Innovation Solution

The method involves printing liquid management patterns, including liquid retaining patterns and liquid flow paths, on the surface of aircraft structures within the internal cabin, using digital inkjet texture printing with UV curable inks, to control and divert moisture effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate moisture management devices are installed, then moisture control capability is improved, but weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture control capabilityVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines moisture management functionality directly into the aircraft structure surface by printing liquid management patterns (flow paths and retaining patterns) onto structural panels. This integration eliminates the need for separate moisture management devices, thereby reducing weight while maintaining moisture control capability through the printed patterns that guide condensation to drainage locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The aircraft structure surface is given multiple functions: it serves both as a structural component and as a moisture management system. The printed liquid management patterns enable the structure to perform moisture diversion and retention functions in addition to its primary structural role, eliminating the need for dedicated moisture management hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate moisture management devices are installed, then moisture control capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture control capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines moisture management functionality directly into the aircraft structure surface by printing liquid management patterns (flow paths and retaining patterns) onto structural panels. This integration eliminates the need for separate moisture management devices, thereby reducing weight while maintaining moisture control capability through the printed patterns that guide condensation to drainage locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses digital printing technology to create liquid management patterns on the aircraft structure. This printing process acts as a copy or representation of traditional moisture management device functionality, translating the need for physical devices into a digital/printed pattern layer that replicates moisture diversion and retention functions at a fraction of the cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If moisture management devices are compressed during installation, then installation flexibility is improved, but moisture absorption effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidmoisture absorption effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses digital printing technology to create liquid management patterns on the aircraft structure. This printing process acts as a copy or representation of traditional moisture management device functionality, translating the need for physical devices into a digital/printed pattern layer that replicates moisture diversion and retention functions at a fraction of the cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical moisture management devices (which are physical, compressible components) with a printed pattern system applied to the structure surface. This substitution eliminates the mechanical compression issue entirely, as the printed patterns are two-dimensional surface features that are not affected by compression forces during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach provides efficient moisture management within the aircraft by retaining or diverting moisture through printed patterns, reducing the need for separate moisture management devices and minimizing weight and cost.

Implementation Method 1

curing the one or more features with ultraviolet (UV) light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP4516518A1Methods for forming liquid management patterns on a surface of a structure of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.03.05 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

A method includes printing one or more features on a surface of a structure of an aircraft, and providing, by the one or more features, one or more liquid management patterns. The printing can includes controlling, by a control unit, a printer to form the one or more features on the surface of the structure. The method can also include curing the one or more features with ultraviolet (UV) light.