Compact Egress Seal Fitting for Aircraft Bulkhead Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft cable penetration fittings are often bulky and have a high part count, leading to weight and packaging inefficiencies, and existing seal solutions do not effectively manage pressure losses across pressure compartments, degrading aircraft performance.
Innovation Solution
A compact egress seal fitting with a housing and driver system featuring externally and internally threaded surfaces, where the driver applies axial pressure to a seal member to expand radially, creating a pressure seal between the cable and housing, and utilizing a method of sealing a pressure bulkhead penetration by coupling a housing and driver around the cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cable penetration fittings are used, then sealing function is provided, but weight and device complexity increase due to bulky structure and high part count
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing members (first seal member and second seal member) into a single integrated egress seal fitting that fits over the cable in a single piece, eliminating the need for multiple separate seal components and reducing overall part count while maintaining effective sealing across pressure compartments
Solution Approach 2:
The egress seal fitting serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides primary sealing through the first seal member, secondary sealing through the second seal member, cable support through the support portion, and pressure differential management, all within a single universal component that replaces multiple traditional fittings
2Reliability
If traditional cable penetration fittings are used, then sealing function is provided, but packaging efficiency decreases due to bulky structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple sealing members and support structures into a single compact egress seal fitting that fits over the cable, dramatically reducing the volume occupied compared to traditional bulky fittings while maintaining all necessary sealing functions across pressure compartments
3Loss of energy
If pressure seal fitting is implemented, then pressure loss is reduced, but device complexity increases due to multiple seal members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple seal members (first and second seal members positioned at different locations) into a single integrated egress seal fitting, reducing pressure loss through multi-point sealing while eliminating the complexity of assembling multiple separate seal components
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 provides a lightweight, compact, and efficient pressure seal that effectively manages pressure differentials across aircraft compartments, enhancing performance by minimizing weight and maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the driver is configured to apply axial pressure to the seal member and expand the seal member radially between the housing and the cable
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
An egress seal fitting (200; 300) for a bulkhead penetration (208; 308) may comprise a housing (202; 302), a driver (204; 304) configured to couple to the housing and define a cavity (218; 318) within the housing, and a seal member (228; 328) configured to be disposed within the cavity of the housing, wherein the driver is configured to pass a cable (210; 310) through the housing and apply pressure to the seal member.