D-Shaped Multilayer Hose for Ballistic Self-Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hoses used in military and aerospace applications are vulnerable to punctures from projectiles, leading to leakage of substances being transported, which can cause significant issues depending on the substance.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer hose design featuring an inner tube, a self-sealing or self-healing filler material, and an outer cover with a D-shaped cross-sectional shape, where the inner tube is positioned closer to the elongated edge, maximizing the filler material towards potential threats, thereby reducing the hose's diameter and weight while maintaining durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hose uses a conventional circular cross-section with uniform wall thickness, then the manufacturing is simple and symmetric, but the hose is vulnerable to punctures and cannot self-seal effectively when threatened by projectiles
Solution Approach 1:
The hose employs an asymmetric D-shaped cross-section where the inner tube is offset from the center, creating non-uniform wall thickness. The thicker wall portion (with greater filler material) is positioned to face potential threats, while the thinner portion faces away. This asymmetric configuration optimizes protective performance by concentrating self-sealing materials in the direction of expected threats, resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hose implements local quality by varying the filler material thickness in different regions of the cross-section. The region facing potential threats contains a greater concentration of self-sealing and self-healing filler materials, while other regions have less. This localized differentiation of material properties enhances puncture resistance and self-sealing capability precisely where needed, without uniformly increasing complexity throughout the entire hose structure.
2Reliability
If the hose increases filler material thickness to improve self-sealing capability, then the puncture protection is enhanced, but the hose diameter and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric D-shaped cross-section allows the hose to concentrate filler material in the thicker wall portion that faces potential threats, while maintaining a thinner profile in other areas. This asymmetric distribution provides enhanced self-sealing capability in the critical threat-facing region without uniformly increasing the hose's overall weight and diameter, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and weight.
3Ease of manufacture
If the hose uses uniform filler material distribution, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the protection against ballistic threats is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hose applies local quality by concentrating filler material in the thicker wall portion that faces potential ballistic threats, while using less filler material in regions not exposed to threats. This localized differentiation enhances protective performance precisely where needed without requiring uniform high-level protection throughout the entire hose, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and ballistic threat protection.
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 design enhances the hose's ability to self-seal or self-heal upon puncture, minimizing leakage and maintaining functionality even under ballistic threats, while reducing weight and size without compromising protection.
Implementation Method 1
The filler material includes a self-sealing material or a self-healing material
Implementation Method 2
The filler material includes a self-sealing material or a self-healing material
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments, a hose includes an inner tube, a filler material, and an outer cover. The inner tube has a cross-sectional shape and includes a cavity for transporting a substance. The filler material is provided around an outer periphery of the inner tube. The filler material includes a self-sealing material or a self-healing material. The outer cover is provided around an outer periphery of the filler material such that the filler material is between the outer cover and the inner tube. The outer cover has a D-shaped cross-sectional shape.