Fabric Air Manifold With Integrated Utility Lines for Faster Aircraft Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft air distribution systems with rigid ducts require extensive installation time due to numerous brackets or holders, increasing assembly time and costs.
Innovation Solution
An air distribution system utilizing a fabric air manifold that is airtight and can inflate to adapt to surrounding structures, allowing simultaneous installation of utility lines such as electric and data cables, fluid lines, and gas lines without the need for additional brackets, thus reducing installation time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rigid air ducts are used in conventional aircraft, then structural strength and stability are ensured, but installation time increases significantly due to the need for numerous brackets or holders
Solution Approach 1:
The utility line is integrated directly into the fabric air manifold, combining two separate components (air distribution and utility routing) into a single unified structure. This eliminates the need for separate brackets and holders for utility lines, reducing installation complexity and time while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a fabric air manifold instead of rigid ducts. The flexible fabric material can be easily installed without requiring numerous rigid mounting brackets, significantly reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining the necessary structural properties for air distribution
2Productivity
If utility lines are installed separately from air ducts, then installation flexibility is maintained, but overall installation time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The utility line is attached to and travels with the fabric air manifold as a single integrated unit. This merging of utility line installation with air manifold installation allows both to be installed simultaneously in one operation, dramatically improving installation efficiency and eliminating separate installation steps
Solution Approach 2:
The utility line is pre-attached to the fabric air manifold before the manifold is installed in the aircraft. This preliminary action ensures that utility lines are already in position when the manifold is installed, eliminating the need for subsequent utility line installation and reducing overall installation time
3Ease of manufacture
If rigid ducts are used, then precise structural support is provided, but the number of components increases leading to higher assembly costs
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the utility line into the fabric air manifold, the total number of components is reduced. Instead of having separate air ducts and utility line mounting components, the system uses a single fabric manifold that incorporates both functions, simplifying assembly and reducing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric air manifold replaces rigid ducts and their associated mounting hardware. The flexible fabric material inherently provides the necessary support and adaptability without requiring additional rigid structural components, reducing component count and assembly complexity
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 fabric air manifold system facilitates faster and more cost-effective aircraft assembly by eliminating the need for brackets and heaters, while ensuring utility lines are protected from freezing and bacterial growth, thereby reducing weight and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The fabric air manifold is made from a fabric material that is airtight and has a closed cross shape. Thus, introducing air into such manifold inflates the fabric air manifold.
Implementation Method 2
the fabric air manifold, which conducts air regularly at a temperature above 0°C. Thus, the water line is not at risk of freezing, as it is in the vicinity of or surrounded by the air conducted through the fabric air manifold.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an air distribution system (100) for an aircraft and comprises at least one fabric air manifold (112, 115), and a utility line (212, 215, 216) attached to the at least one fabric air manifold.