Aircraft Cargo Guide Roller Graphene Rubber Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cargo doorway guide rollers in aircraft cargo handling systems suffer from irregular wear, tear, cutting, and chipping due to random and sudden impact loads from unit load devices (ULDs), leading to reduced durability and eventual failure.

Innovation Solution

A guide roller design featuring multiple layers of hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) with monolayer graphene as a reinforcing filler, combined with calendered fabrics, to enhance chip, cut, and abrasion resistance. The layers are carefully consolidated and wrapped around a mandrel to ensure minimal air entrapment and optimal bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional guide roller materials are used, then the guide roller can perform basic guiding function, but it suffers from irregular wear, cutting, and chipping due to impact loads from ULDs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidwear, cutting, and chipping

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide roller employs a composite structure consisting of a mandrel core surrounded by multiple alternating layers of rubber wrapping compound and calendered fabric. This composite material system provides enhanced resistance to cutting, chipping, and abrasion while maintaining the necessary flexibility and shock absorption capabilities to handle impact loads from ULDs during cargo operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameters by incorporating monolayer graphene as a reinforcing filler within the rubber wrapping compound. This additive modifies the physical and mechanical properties of the rubber, significantly improving its hardness, wear resistance, and structural integrity without compromising its elastomeric characteristics and ability to absorb impact energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple layers of rubber and fabric are used to enhance resistance, then chip, cut, and abrasion resistance improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to cutting, chipping, and abrasionVSAvoidlayered structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide roller is segmented into distinct functional layers: a mandrel core for structural support, multiple alternating layers of rubber wrapping compound for elasticity and impact absorption, and calendered fabric layers for tensile strength and dimensional stability. Each layer serves a specific function, and the segmented structure allows for optimized material selection and manufacturing processes for each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide roller structure follows a nested arrangement where calendered fabric layers are embedded within the rubber wrapping compound layers, which in turn are surrounded by additional rubber and fabric layers, all nested around the central mandrel. This nested configuration maximizes the protective effect of each material while maintaining a compact and efficient structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enhanced guide roller exhibits improved resistance to cutting, chipping, and abrasion, leading to increased durability and extended service life, effectively mitigating the issues of irregular wear and sudden failure.

Implementation Method 1

The rubber wrapping compound includes monolayer graphene as a reinforcing filler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGraphene reinforcement: Graphene

Implementation Method 2

The layers are carefully consolidated and wrapped around a mandrel to ensure minimal air entrapment and optimal bonding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20250033771A1Guide roller with enhanced chip, cut, and abrasion resistance for cargo doorway entrance

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

A guide roller for a cargo doorway of an aircraft is provided. The guide roller includes a mandrel, a first layer of a second rubber wrapping compound disposed circumferentially around the mandrel, at least one first layer of a first rubber wrapping compound disposed circumferentially around the first layer of the second rubber wrapping compound, a second layer of the second rubber wrapping compound disposed circumferentially around the at least one first layer of the first rubber wrapping compound, at least one second layer of the first rubber wrapping compound disposed circumferentially around the second layer of the second rubber wrapping compound, and at least one third layer of the second rubber wrapping compound disposed circumferentially around the at least one second layer of the first rubber wrapping compound.