Ejection Port Emission Capture for Hydraulic Fluid Blowdown Tests

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Solution Overview

Problem

During aircraft landing gear blow down tests, hydraulic fluid emissions can expose technicians and others to caustic substances, posing health risks due to the hydraulic fluid's irritant properties.

Innovation Solution

An emission-capturing apparatus comprising a tank with a muffler and hose system that intercepts and captures hydraulic fluid emissions from an ejection port, allowing gases to pass while inhibiting liquid passage, thereby containing the fluid for safe storage and disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ejection port is used to discharge compressed gas during blow down tests, then the landing gear deployment function is tested, but hydraulic fluid emissions expose technicians to caustic substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency system reliabilityVSAvoidhydraulic fluid exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A capture assembly with a collection container is positioned between the ejection port and the environment to intercept hydraulic fluid emissions. The collection container receives and contains the emitted hydraulic fluid, preventing technician exposure while allowing the blow down test to proceed normally

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful hydraulic fluid emissions are extracted and separated from the discharge process by directing them into a collection container. This removes the harmful substance from the environment where technicians work, while the compressed gas continues to function for testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the ejection port discharges both compressed gas and hydraulic fluid, then the emergency system can be tested, but the hydraulic fluid creates health risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidcaustic substance emission

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The capture assembly serves as an intermediary device that allows the testing process to continue uninterrupted while simultaneously capturing harmful emissions. The assembly includes a collection container that collects hydraulic fluid and a muffler that manages the discharged substances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful hydraulic fluid emissions are converted from a health hazard into a contained substance that can be safely managed. The collection container captures the fluid, transforming it from an environmental hazard into a controlled material that can be disposed of properly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Manufacturing precision

If hydraulic fluid is emitted during blow down testing, then the emergency deployment function is verified, but technician safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem verification accuracyVSAvoidtechnician safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The capture assembly is positioned to intercept emissions without interfering with the emergency system verification process. The collection container captures hydraulic fluid while allowing compressed gas to pass through the muffler, maintaining testing accuracy while protecting technicians

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Effectively captures and contains hydraulic fluid emissions during blow down tests, reducing exposure risks to technicians and others by separating gases from liquids, ensuring safe handling and disposal of the captured fluid.

Implementation Method 1

The muffler is configured to intercept fluid exiting the outlet, to permit passage of gas through the muffler, and to inhibit passage of liquid through the muffler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase separation:

Implementation Method 2

The fitting is configured to be fluidly coupled to an end section of the ejection port to receive an emission from the ejection port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11230369B2Emission-capturing apparatus and method for capturing emissions from an ejection port

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP

AI summary

An emission-capturing apparatus includes a tank having an inlet and an outlet. The apparatus further includes a muffler fluidly coupled with the outlet to intercept fluid exiting the outlet, permit passage of gas through the muffler, and inhibit passage of liquid through the muffler. The apparatus further includes a hose having a tank end and a distal end. The tank end is coupled to the inlet. The apparatus further includes a fitting fluidly coupled to the distal end of the hose. The fitting is configured to be fluidly coupled to an end section of an ejection port of a vehicle to receive an emission from the ejection port.