Flexible Bulkhead Feed-Through for Shaft Motion and Fire Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulkhead feed-through assemblies in aeronautical engines face challenges with tight manufacturing tolerances, leading to part seizures and seal leaks due to wear, and require complex configurations to accommodate motion and fire prevention, which complicates assembly and increases weight and volume.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of flexible convolution sections in bulkhead feed-through assemblies that allow for motion along multiple degrees of freedom while maintaining fire barrier integrity, reducing the number of components and weight, and compensating for assembly variations and wear through adaptive configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid feed-through assemblies are used to maintain fire barrier integrity, then fire protection is ensured, but the assembly cannot accommodate motion and requires complex configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane structure with convolution sections that can deform to accommodate linear and rotational motion of shafts while maintaining fire barrier integrity. The membrane includes a first convolution section for linear motion and a second convolution section for rotational motion, allowing the rigid fire barrier to adapt to moving components without complex mechanical joints.
2Reliability
If tight manufacturing tolerances are enforced to prevent part seizures, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the feed-through assembly by introducing flexible membrane material with specific convolution geometries. This allows the system to accommodate dimensional variations and wear through elastic deformation of the membrane sections, eliminating the need for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances while preventing part seizures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used to accommodate motion and maintain seals, then motion freedom is improved, but weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single integrated flexible membrane structure. The membrane combines sealing, linear motion accommodation, and rotational motion accommodation functions into one element, eliminating the need for separate bearings, seals, and joints, thereby reducing weight and volume while maintaining full degrees of freedom.
4Reliability
If wear-resistant materials and complex seals are used to prevent leaks, then seal reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane structure performs self-sealing through its elastic properties. As the shaft moves linearly or rotates, the membrane convolutions deform and automatically return to their original configuration, maintaining continuous contact and sealing without requiring additional seal components, adjustment mechanisms, or complex multi-layer seal configurations.
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 solution simplifies assembly, reduces component weight and volume, and ensures reliable motion and fire protection by using flexible convolution sections that adapt to motion and wear, preventing seizures and fire path openings, while meeting stringent manufacturing tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
at least one convolution section extending around an end of the channel, where the convolution section is configured to allow a transverse deflection and a tilt of the component
Data Source
AI summary
A feed-through assembly for a bulkhead for moving and static engine components. The feed-through assembly can be configured to include flexible convolutions that allow for movement and sealing of the engine component relative to the bulkhead. In one aspect, a flexible convoluted spherical element can be provided in the feed-through assembly. In another aspect, a flexible convoluted bellow element can be provided in the feed-through assembly. These flexible convoluted elements can have multiple convolution sections including convolution sections with varying stiffness. The convolution sections can be configured to allow movement of the shaft relative to the bulkhead, including, transverse deflection and tilt.