Embedded Screen Flame Protection Gasket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flame arresters can be easily removed or omitted during reassembly after servicing internal combustion engines, failing to meet Coast Guard regulations for tamper-proof designs.
Innovation Solution
A flame protection gasket with a screen member embedded within a gasket structure, where the screen is nonremovably attached to the air intake member using rivets, ensuring it remains in place during servicing and reassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flame arrester is designed to be easily removable for servicing, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the flame arrester can be accidentally omitted during reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The flame arrester screen is merged with the gasket structure to form an integrated assembly. The screen member is positioned within a recess of the gasket member and secured through the gasket's fastening mechanism, ensuring that flame protection cannot be separated from the gasket function. This merging resolves the contradiction by making flame protection inherent to the gasket assembly, so that gasket installation automatically ensures flame arrester presence.
2Reliability
If a flame arrester is made tamper-proof with nonremovable attachment, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because it cannot be easily removed for servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The flame arrester and gasket are merged into a single serviceable unit. The screen member is embedded within the gasket member structure, secured by fasteners that attach the entire assembly to the air intake member. This allows the flame arrester to be as easily serviced as a standard gasket, resolving the contradiction between tamper-proof design and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The flame protection system is segmented into modular components (screen member, gasket member, fasteners) that are pre-assembled together. This modular segmentation allows the entire flame protection assembly to be installed and serviced as a single unit, maintaining reliability while enabling easy removal and reinstallation during maintenance operations.
3Reliability
If the screen member is embedded within the gasket structure, then reliability is improved by preventing removal, but device complexity increases due to integrated construction
Solution Approach 1:
The screen member and gasket member are merged into an integrated assembly where the screen is positioned within a recess of the gasket and secured through its fastening system. This merging reduces overall system complexity by eliminating separate installation steps for flame protection, while the modular nature of the integrated unit keeps manufacturing complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated gasket-screen assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: sealing (gasket function) and flame protection (screen function). This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system, offsetting the complexity of the integrated construction with overall system simplification.
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 embedded screen member provides permanent flame arrestation capabilities, preventing removal during engine maintenance and ensuring continuous protection against flame propagation.
Implementation Method 1
a perforated metal plane, such as a screen, can be used as a flame arresting structure when placed over a conduit within which flammable gases can exist. The perforated surface inhibits the progression of a flame front within the gas containing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A flame protection gasket has a gasket member with an embedded screen member within its structure. The screen member and gasket member are disposed in a common plane. The screen member is attachable to an air conduit structure in a manner that inhibits its removal after the attachment is completed. In addition, since the gasket member and screen member are part of an integral structure, the screen member must be replaced if the gasket member is replaced following repair or reassembly.