Compression Mounted Window Assembly Aerodynamic Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft window assemblies with frames and fasteners create aerodynamic drag, require excessive labor for installation and replacement, and provide potential leak paths for moisture and air, necessitating a solution that eliminates external fasteners, adhesives, and brazing.
Innovation Solution
A compression-mounted window assembly featuring a circular window with chamfered edges, a compressible silicone-based gasket, and a threaded locking ring for secure, leak-proof, and aerodynamically smooth installation within a camera housing, utilizing a bezel and annular seat with chamfered surfaces for self-centering and impact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external fasteners, adhesives, or brazing are used to install aircraft windows, then the window assembly provides structural strength and sealing, but it creates aerodynamic drag, increases labor requirements for installation and replacement, and provides potential leak paths for moisture and air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes external fasteners, frames, adhesives, and brazing from the window assembly, extracting the harmful elements that cause aerodynamic drag while retaining the essential sealing function through an integrated compression-mounted design where the window is directly compressed against the aircraft skin
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the window, sealing mechanism, and mounting structure into a single integrated assembly where the window itself is compression-mounted directly to the aircraft skin, eliminating separate components and their associated leak paths and drag
2Strength
If external fasteners and frames are used to install aircraft windows, then the window assembly provides structural strength, but it requires an inordinate amount of labor for installation and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts external fasteners, frames, and complex mounting structures from the window assembly, retaining only the essential compression-mounted connection that provides sufficient structural strength while dramatically reducing installation complexity and time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mounting parameter from mechanical fastening or chemical bonding to direct compression mounting, which maintains structural integrity while enabling rapid installation and replacement operations
3Strength
If external fasteners and frames are used to install aircraft windows, then the window assembly provides structural support, but it creates potential leak paths for moisture and air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts external fasteners, frames, and adhesives that create multiple potential leak paths, replacing them with a single integrated compression seal that eliminates intermediate connection points where moisture and air could penetrate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the structural support and sealing functions into a single compression-mounted interface, eliminating the multiple separate connection points created by external fasteners and frames that serve as potential leak paths
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 solution reduces aerodynamic drag, simplifies installation and replacement, and prevents moisture and air leaks, while maintaining impact resistance and thermal isolation, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing labor costs.
Implementation Method 1
a compression mounted window assembly for a camera housing... a compressible material circumscribing the outer periphery of the window... an annular retainer for compressively mounting the window assembly within the annular seat
Implementation Method 2
the compressible material is configured from a silicone based elastomeric, such as a flurosilicone
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the annular seat and the annular retainer has a chamfered abutment surface that corresponds to the at least one chamfered edge surface of the window
Implementation Method 4
the securing means includes a threaded locking ring for securing the bezel to the housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A compression mounted window assembly (100) is disclosed that includes a circular window having opposed front and rear planar surfaces and an outer periphery having forward and rearward chamfered edge surfaces (116,118), a compressible gasket circumscribing the outer periphery of the window, a housing with a portal having an annular seat for accommodating the window circumscribed by the gasket (125), wherein the annular seat has a first chamfered abutment surface corresponding to the forward chamfered edge surface of the window, an annular bezel (130) operatively associated with the housing for compressively retaining the window assembly (100) within the annular seat of the portal (14), and structure for securing the bezel to the housing, wherein the bezel (130) has a second chamfered abutment surface corresponding to the rearward chamfered edge surface of the window.