Reusable Exhaust-Stack Plug for Aircraft Engine Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preserving inactive gas-turbine engines are labor-intensive and time-consuming, requiring consumable materials like barrier tape and desiccant bags, which need frequent replacement and monitoring, to maintain low humidity and prevent condensation in aircraft engines.
Innovation Solution
A reusable engine exhaust-stack plug with a desiccant compartment and moisture barrier, made of impermeable materials like open-cell polyether foam, that slides into the engine outlet for sealing and dehumidification, featuring a humidity monitor for easy maintenance and reduced material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If consumable materials like barrier tape and desiccant bags are used to seal and dehumidify engine outlets, then humidity control is achieved, but frequent replacement and monitoring are required increasing maintenance effort
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust stack plug combines multiple functions into a single device: it seals the exhaust outlet, contains desiccant for dehumidification, and includes a humidity monitor for monitoring. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate barrier tape and desiccant bags, reducing maintenance effort while maintaining reliable humidity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug incorporates a humidity monitor that automatically indicates when desiccant replacement is needed, and a seal indicator that shows when the seal has been compromised. This self-monitoring capability reduces the need for manual inspection and frequent maintenance interventions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If consumable materials like barrier tape and desiccant bags are used for sealing engine outlets, then moisture barrier is provided, but frequent replacement increases time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated plug design provides sealing, dehumidification, and monitoring functions in one component, eliminating the need for multiple separate consumable materials that would need to be applied and monitored separately, thereby reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The desiccant is contained within the plug structure itself, providing sufficient dehumidification capacity for the intended preservation period without requiring excessive monitoring or replacement frequency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple separate components are used for sealing and dehumidification, then functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the sealing function, desiccant containment, and humidity monitoring into a single integrated exhaust stack plug. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate components while maintaining all necessary functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The single plug component performs multiple functions: sealing the exhaust outlet, containing desiccant for dehumidification, and providing humidity monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while achieving comprehensive protection.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If consumable materials are used for engine preservation, then initial sealing is achieved, but ongoing material replacement increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust stack plug is designed as a disposable or long-life consumable item that replaces multiple shorter-lived consumable materials (barrier tape, desiccant bags). While the plug itself is consumed, it reduces overall material waste by consolidating multiple replacement cycles into fewer replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug includes indicators that allow users to monitor its effectiveness and determine when replacement is needed, optimizing the replacement cycle to minimize material waste while ensuring continuous 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 solution provides a cost-effective, quick, and efficient method for sealing and monitoring engine humidity, extending desiccant life and reducing maintenance effort, allowing for single-person operation and minimizing material waste.
Implementation Method 1
a desiccant and a flexible plug adapted to slide into an outlet of an engine exhaust-stack. The front panel, the outer wall, and the backside form an enclosure adapted to contain the desiccant for reducing humidity and preventing condensation inside an aircraft engine
Implementation Method 2
made of impermeable materials like open-cell polyether foam, that slides into the engine outlet for sealing and dehumidification
Data Source
AI summary
An engine exhaust-stack plug for sealing an exhaust stack of an aircraft engine is provided. The exhaust-stack plug includes a desiccant and a flexible plug adapted to slide into an outlet of an engine exhaust-stack. The flexible plug includes a front panel that is substantially impermeable to water vapor and is accessible from the outlet of the engine exhaust-stack. An outer wall, which is also substantially impermeable to water vapor, is sealed with the front panel and shaped to fit snuggly within the outlet of the engine exhaust stack. A backside is coupled with the outer wall, opposite the front panel, for facing internal to the engine exhaust stack. The front panel, the outer wall, and the backside form an enclosure adapted to contain the desiccant. The backside is substantially air permeable such that the desiccant reduces humidity and prevents condensation inside the aircraft engine.