Composite Fire-Fluid Seals for Custom Aerospace Barrier Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal technologies in aircraft construction have limited lifespans and are not easily customizable for specific applications, lacking versatility in providing fire, fluid, and pressure barriers.
Innovation Solution
Manufacturing composite seals by applying a fluid barrier material to a fire barrier textile, which is constructed from multiple materials and formed into a profile, allowing for customization based on specific use-cases through material selection and knitting patterns to enhance spring rate, density, and thermal stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If existing seal technologies are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but lifespan is limited and customization capability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a fire barrier textile substrate with a fluid barrier material layer. The textile is constructed from thermally stable materials (such as aramid or glass fibers) and the fluid barrier material (such as silicone or fluorocarbon elastomer) is applied to its surface, creating a composite structure that simultaneously provides fire resistance and fluid sealing capabilities, thereby extending seal lifespan in high-temperature aerospace environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite seal structure achieves multi-functionality by integrating fire barrier and fluid barrier functions into a single component. The fire barrier textile provides thermal stability and structural integrity, while the applied fluid barrier material provides sealing against fluids and pressure, allowing one seal to perform multiple protective functions that previously required separate components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing seal technologies are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but adaptability to different applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different regions of the fire barrier textile to have varying knitting patterns, densities, and material compositions tailored to specific application requirements. The fluid barrier material can also be applied with varying thicknesses or formulations in different zones, enabling customization for specific sealing locations while maintaining a relatively simple base manufacturing process of applying material to textile.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite seal structure enables parameter changes by allowing adjustment of textile knitting density, fiber composition, and fluid barrier material properties to optimize performance for different applications. These parameter variations can be implemented through standard textile and coating processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving adaptability across different sealing requirements.
3Reliability
If existing seal technologies are used, then single-function performance is adequate, but multi-functional barrier capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fire barrier function and fluid barrier function into a single integrated composite seal structure. The fire barrier textile and fluid barrier material are combined through application processes where the fluid barrier material is applied to the textile surface, creating a unified component that simultaneously provides both fire protection and fluid sealing, thereby improving reliability through multi-functional performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of manufacturing composite seals comprise applying a fluid barrier material to a fire barrier textile that is constructed of one or more materials, and forming the fire barrier textile into a profile. Composite seals comprise a fluid barrier material applied to a fire barrier textile. Assemblies comprise a first structure, a second structure, and a composite seal operatively engaged between the first structure and the second structure.