Composite Fluid Conduit End Geometry for Impact-Protected Seal Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Composite fluid transfer conduits, such as aircraft fuel pipes, are vulnerable to impact damage at the seal groove, particularly at high angles, leading to cracks and compromised structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a transition surface configured to direct impact forces radially inward of the circumferential groove, using tapered or convex curved surfaces to absorb forces away from the seal seat, combined with a raised rib for visual impact indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the seal groove is formed from composite material, then cost effectiveness is improved, but vulnerability to impact damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a metallic end portion at the axial end of the composite conduit. This metallic portion acts as a protective cushion that absorbs impact forces before they reach the vulnerable composite seal groove. The metallic end portion is specifically designed to be more impact-resistant than the composite material, thereby protecting the seal groove from damage during handling and installation while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of using composite material for the seal groove geometry.
2Weight of moving object
If the seal groove geometry is made thin to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but structural integrity under impact is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining metallic material for the end portion with composite material for the main conduit body and seal groove. This composite construction allows the thin-walled composite seal groove to maintain its weight advantage while the metallic end portion provides the necessary impact resistance. The two materials work together to achieve both weight reduction and structural integrity under impact conditions.
3Reliability
If the conduit is made fully composite, then corrosion resistance is improved, but impact resistance at the seal groove is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different materials at different locations of the conduit. The metallic end portion is specifically placed at the location most susceptible to impact damage (the axial end where handling occurs), while the main body and seal groove use corrosion-resistant composite material. This localized material selection allows the conduit to exhibit both corrosion resistance overall and impact resistance at the critical end portion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A composite fluid transfer conduit (100) is provided. The conduit includes a first end portion (110), a second end portion (120) and a main body portion (140) between the first and second end portions. At least one of the first and second end portions is an end portion (110) comprising a circumferential groove (102) in a radially outer surface of the fluid transfer conduit, an axial end face (104), and a transition surface (106) between the axial end face and the circumferential groove. The transition surface is configured such that, for any angle of impact of the end portion (110) with a planar impact surface (20), a resultant impact force on the end portion is directed away from the circumferential groove.