Aircraft Engine Filter Assembly With Flexible Grounding Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft engine filter assemblies face issues with charged particles accumulating on the inner walls due to triboelectric fluids, despite existing grounding solutions, which are prone to wear and tear during frequent disassembly and reassembly.
Innovation Solution
A filter assembly design with indirect electrical coupling between the filter bowl and housing via a filter, utilizing flexible connections like spring pins or strips to maintain electrical contact while allowing displacement and compression, reducing wear on conductive paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct electrical grounding connections are used between filter components, then static charge dissipation is effective, but wear and tear occurs during frequent disassembly and reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spring-loaded electrical contacts that dynamically adjust to maintain consistent electrical pressure and contact force between the filter bowl and housing during assembly and disassembly operations. This dynamic mechanism ensures reliable grounding while accommodating the mechanical stresses of frequent maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary spring mechanism between the filter bowl and housing that transmits both mechanical and electrical functions. This spring intermediary absorbs mechanical wear while maintaining continuous electrical contact, separating the wear function from the grounding function.
2Reliability
If rigid electrical connections are used between filter and housing, then electrical contact is stable, but filter displacement is restricted during engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded electrical contacts provide a dynamic connection that allows the filter to displace and settle during engagement while maintaining stable electrical contact. The spring mechanism converts the rigid connection requirement into a flexible yet electrically stable interface.
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 dissipates static charges and prevents corrosion by ensuring consistent electrical contact, even with frequent filter replacements, thus maintaining the integrity of the filter assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the filter electrically coupled to the filter bowl at a first electrical connection and the filter electrically coupled to the filter housing at a second electrical connection distinct from the first electrical connection to thereby indirectly electrically couple the filter bowl to the filter housing via the filter
Implementation Method 2
one or both of the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection includes a spring pin assembly having a spring operatively coupled to the filter bowl or the filter housing and a pin at a distal end of the spring, the pin being operable to abut the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A filter assembly for an aircraft engine includes a filter housing defining an inner cavity. The filter housing has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet for flowing a triboelectric fluid into and out of the inner cavity. A filter bowl is removably attached to the filter housing to seal the inner cavity. A filter is disposed in the inner cavity, the filter electrically coupled to the filter bowl at a first electrical connection and the filter electrically coupled to the filter housing at a second electrical connection distinct from the first electrical connection to thereby indirectly electrically couple the filter bowl to the filter housing via the filter. One or both of the first electrical connection and the second electrical connection provides a degree of freedom for the filter to displace relative to the filter housing or the filter bowl upon engagement with the filter.