Composite Pipe Reinforcement for Conductive Bent Fuel Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Composite fuel pipes in aerospace and automotive applications face challenges in balancing electrical conductivity and stiffness, particularly in complex geometries, where pressurized flow can cause deformation and disconnection from end connectors.
Innovation Solution
A fiber-reinforced polymer composite pipe design featuring a continuous first material with electrically conductive fiber reinforcement or additives for electrical conductivity and a discontinuous second material with carbon fiber reinforcement for increased stiffness at non-linear portions, ensuring no discontinuity in electrical conduction while providing axial stiffness to prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If carbon fiber reinforcement is used to increase stiffness at non-linear portions, then axial stiffness is improved, but electrical conductivity becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different material compositions to different locations along the pipe. Carbon fiber reinforcement is concentrated specifically at non-linear portions (bends) where stiffness is needed, while linear portions use a material with controlled electrical conductivity. This local differentiation allows the pipe to have high stiffness at bends without making the entire pipe excessively conductive, thus resolving the contradiction between local stiffness requirements and overall electrical conductivity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials with tailored fiber reinforcement distributions. The first material contains fiber reinforcement oriented to provide stiffness at non-linear portions, while the second material provides different conductivity characteristics. By combining these composite materials strategically, the patent achieves both the required axial stiffness at bends and the desired overall electrical conductivity for static discharge prevention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex geometries are implemented to meet spatial requirements, then adaptability is improved, but deformation resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses deformation resistance in complex geometries by applying enhanced reinforcement specifically at non-linear portions where bends create stress concentrations. The material composition and fiber orientation are locally optimized at these critical locations to resist deformation from pressurized flow, while maintaining the necessary complex geometry for spatial adaptability in the fuel system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifically addresses the challenges of curved and bent pipe geometries by reinforcing non-linear portions with carbon fiber reinforcement. This allows the pipe to maintain complex curved shapes required for aircraft fuel system routing while preventing deformation at the curved sections where stress from pressurized flow would otherwise cause instability.
3Strength
If fiber reinforcement is increased to prevent deformation, then stiffness is improved, but electrical resistivity increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls electrical resistivity by limiting fiber reinforcement to specific locations rather than uniformly throughout the entire pipe. Non-linear portions have enhanced reinforcement for stiffness, while linear portions have reduced reinforcement to maintain lower electrical resistivity. This local differentiation allows the pipe to achieve necessary stiffness at bends without making the overall pipe too resistive, preventing static discharge accumulation.
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 pipe maintains desired electrical conductivity and stiffness, preventing deformation and disconnection from end connectors, even in complex geometries, by tailoring the materials' properties to meet both electrical and mechanical requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the first material being a fiber reinforced polymer material comprising fiber reinforcement in a polymer matrix and having an electrical resistivity determined by an electrically conductive fiber reinforcement and/or an electrically conductive additive in the polymer matrix
Implementation Method 2
the second material being a carbon fiber reinforced polymer material comprising carbon fiber reinforcement in a polymer matrix and having an elastic modulus provided by the carbon fiber reinforcement
Data Source
AI summary
A fiber reinforced polymer composite pipe includes first and second ends and defines a central axis running in a longitudinal direction from the first end to the second end, and the pipe including at least one non-linear portion along the central axis between the first end and the second end. A first material extends continuously from the first end to the second end, the first material being a fiber reinforced polymer material comprising fiber reinforcement in a polymer matrix and having an electrical resistivity determined by an electrically conductive fiber reinforcement and/or an electrically conductive additive in the polymer matrix; and a second material arranged at the at least one non-linear portion and extending discontinuously between the first end and the second end, and has an elastic modulus greater than the elastic modulus of the first material in the longitudinal direction.