Enclosed Channel Cleaning Tool with Stabilizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft composite structures require thorough cleaning of enclosed channels like hat stringers to ensure proper bonding and assembly, but existing methods are inefficient in ensuring clean surfaces and effective drying.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning tool system with a central body and a fore body, featuring a peripheral contour that fits closely within the channel, stabilizers for alignment, and a loop hook for drawing, along with orifices for dispensing cleaning media, including pressurized gas for drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cleaning tool is manually inserted and pulled through enclosed channels, then the tool can reach and clean difficult-to-access areas, but it is difficult to maintain proper orientation and alignment throughout the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning tool is divided into multiple functional segments: a forebody with cleaning elements, a central body with control mechanisms, and stabilizing elements. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining overall tool alignment through the channel
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates pre-configured stabilizers and alignment features that are set before insertion. These elements automatically engage with the channel walls upon insertion, establishing proper orientation and alignment before the cleaning process begins, eliminating the need for continuous manual adjustment
2Productivity
If traditional washing and drying methods are used separately, then each process can be optimized independently, but the overall cleaning efficiency and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool combines washing and drying functions into a single integrated system. Cleaning media dispensers and drying elements are positioned on the same tool body, allowing both operations to occur simultaneously during one pass through the channel, thereby improving productivity and reducing total processing time
3Manufacturing precision
If the tool closely follows the channel contour, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the tool becomes more difficult to insert and retrieve
Solution Approach 1:
The tool incorporates flexible or resilient elements that allow it to dynamically adapt to the channel contour during operation. These elements can flex and deform to follow the channel shape for precise cleaning contact, then return to their original form to facilitate easy insertion and retrieval
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 tool system effectively cleans and dries enclosed channels by maintaining orientation, preventing yaw and pitch, and ensuring thorough removal of chemicals and moisture, enhancing the surface quality for subsequent operations.
Implementation Method 1
dry using wipers and high gas pressure to remove water and moisture
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of stabilizers extend from the central body radially relative to a longitudinal axis to engage surfaces of the channel
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning tool system has a central body and a fore body extending from the central body and having a peripheral contour shaped to be closely received in an enclosed channel. The fore body has orifices to dispense a cleaning medium. A connection boss in the central body is configured to receive a supply line for the cleaning medium. A plurality of stabilizers each extend from the central body radially relative to a longitudinal axis to engage surfaces of the channel. A loop hook in the fore body is configured to attach a draw line to pull the fore body and central body through the channel along the longitudinal axis.