Aircraft Cabin Moisture Dam Assembly for Equipment Bay Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Moisture and fluid flow from aircraft cabin monuments can infiltrate sensitive equipment bays located beneath the cabin flooring, leading to potential damage and malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A moisture dam assembly is integrated into the aircraft cabin floor, comprising retainers and a flexible sleeve to block and redirect moisture flow through the floor opening, using retainers with flanges and a tubular flexible sleeve to create a seal and prevent moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plumbing elements pass through openings in the cabin floor to connect water supplies, then water delivery functionality is achieved, but moisture can infiltrate into equipment bays beneath the floor
Solution Approach 1:
A moisture dam assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the plumbing elements and the equipment bay. This assembly includes a moisture barrier material positioned within the opening to block moisture while allowing plumbing elements to pass through. The barrier acts as a mediator that permits water delivery functionality while preventing harmful moisture infiltration into sensitive equipment areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture dam assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: a barrier material portion that blocks moisture, retention portions that secure the barrier in place, and opening portions that allow plumbing elements to pass through. This segmentation enables the system to simultaneously achieve plumbing installation ease while preventing moisture infiltration through specialized barrier sections.
2Volume of moving object
If equipment bays are located beneath cabin flooring for space efficiency, then space utilization is improved, but equipment becomes vulnerable to moisture damage from plumbing areas
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture dam assembly serves as a protective intermediary positioned in the cabin floor between plumbing elements and equipment bays. It includes a barrier material that specifically blocks moisture while maintaining openings for necessary plumbing connections, thereby protecting equipment reliability without compromising space utilization beneath the floor.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture dam assembly implements local quality by providing selective protection: the barrier material portion blocks moisture in critical areas while opening portions allow plumbing elements to pass through where needed. This localized approach protects equipment vulnerability in specific zones while maintaining space efficiency throughout the cabin floor volume.
3Reliability
If a moisture barrier is installed in the floor opening to prevent moisture ingress, then equipment protection is improved, but the complexity of the floor assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture dam assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: moisture blocking, plumbing element accommodation, and structural retention. By combining the barrier material, retention portions, and opening portions into one assembly that can be installed as a unit, the design reduces overall complexity compared to implementing separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture dam assembly acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the overall floor assembly by providing a pre-integrated solution. Rather than requiring separate moisture barriers, retention mechanisms, and opening structures to be installed individually, the assembled unit provides all protective functions in one package, thereby improving equipment protection while minimizing the increase in assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Present aspects are directed to a protective moisture dam comprising a first and second retainer and a protective sleeve for preventing a moisture/fluid flow from progressing from an aircraft cabin monument floor to an adjoining compartment located beneath an aircraft cabin monument floor.