Arched Horizontal Pressure Deck Gutter Fatigue Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gutter systems in aircraft are prone to corrosion and structural weakness due to moisture accumulation, requiring frequent inspections that result in costly downtime and maintenance, and existing designs are not adequately flexible to withstand operational stresses.

Innovation Solution

An arched gutter design with a flexible structure, featuring a lip, trough, and arched web that transitions between edges, allowing for flexibility and resistance to parasitic load transfer, is introduced, which can be manufactured from materials like metal or fiberglass, and includes a sloped upper surface to facilitate moisture collection and channeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional gutter systems are used in aircraft, then moisture collection function is provided, but corrosion and structural weakness occur due to moisture accumulation and operational stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegutter system reliabilityVSAvoidmoisture accumulation and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by designing the gutter with an arched cross-section instead of a conventional flat or angular shape. The arched configuration promotes smoother water flow, reduces stagnation areas where moisture accumulates, and distributes structural stresses more evenly across the gutter body, thereby reducing corrosion risk and improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies that the gutter can be manufactured from fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) or other corrosion-resistant composite materials. These composite materials provide both structural strength and inherent corrosion resistance, directly addressing the reliability issue caused by moisture accumulation and chemical degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If frequent inspections are conducted to prevent corrosion, then structural problems are detected early, but aircraft downtime and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidaircraft downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs design features that prevent problems before they occur. The arched configuration and corrosion-resistant materials act as preventive measures that reduce the likelihood of structural issues developing, thereby extending inspection intervals and reducing aircraft downtime while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The gutter design incorporates self-draining capabilities through its arched geometry, which uses gravity and surface tension to automatically channel water away from critical areas. This self-service feature reduces moisture accumulation that would otherwise require manual intervention and frequent inspections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If rigid gutter structures are used, then structural strength is provided, but flexibility to withstand operational stresses is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegutter structural strengthVSAvoidflexibility under operational stress

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The arched cross-section provides inherent structural strength through its geometric efficiency in distributing loads, while simultaneously allowing the gutter to flex and deform elastically under operational stresses such as aircraft vibration and pressure changes, maintaining both strength and adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent describes the gutter as having a shell structure that can be formed from composite materials with appropriate flexural properties. This shell design allows controlled flexibility to accommodate structural movements while maintaining sufficient strength to prevent failure under normal operational conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 arched gutter design reduces the frequency of inspections and maintenance costs by mitigating stress and strain from aircraft movement, providing a robust and flexible structure that resists fatigue cracking and wear, while effectively managing moisture and reducing downtime.

Implementation Method 1

the upper surface of the arched gutter at the lip is sloped by a first angle of from 4.5° to 6.5° at the third edge, and the upper surface of the arched gutter at the arched web is sloped by a second angle of from 3.1° to 5.1°

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3831710B1Arched horizontal pressure deck to rear spar gutter

Publication Date: 2024.04.10 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

An arched gutter that can be used to channel moisture within an aircraft can include an arched web including a plurality of laterally spaced arches. The plurality of arches impart a flexibility to the arched gutter such that the arched gutter has an increased resistance to fatigue cracking and other wear and damage resulting from, for example, parasitic loads due to high bending strains that are transferred to the arched gutter by a wing to which the arched gutter is attached during operation of the aircraft. An aircraft section and an aircraft including the arched gutter are also described.