Fail-Safe Aircraft Tank With Intermediate Pressure Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressurized gas tanks used in aircraft door mechanisms and evacuation slides are not fail-safe, as they can leak and fail during flight, preventing door opening or slide deployment in emergency situations due to the risk of cracks and the need for pre-flight pressure checks.
Innovation Solution
A fail-safe tank design with a sealed chamber between two enclosures, where a pressure measuring sensor is positioned externally to prevent leaks and detect pressure changes, and a pressure regulator integrated with the tank allows for emergency gas release through a perforable membrane, ensuring reliable operation even if one enclosure leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pressure measuring sensor is positioned inside the inner enclosure to measure pressure, then pressure measurement is direct and accurate, but the risk of leaks increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate chamber between the inner enclosure and outer enclosure as a mediator. The pressure measuring sensor is positioned in this intermediate chamber rather than directly inside the inner enclosure, allowing indirect pressure measurement while preventing direct contact between the sensor and the pressurized gas, thus eliminating the leak risk associated with penetrating the inner enclosure wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank is segmented into three distinct compartments: the inner enclosure containing pressurized gas, an intermediate chamber containing the pressure measuring sensor, and the outer enclosure providing structural support. This segmentation isolates the sensor from the pressurized environment while still enabling pressure measurement through the chamber wall.
2Device complexity
If the tank uses a single enclosure design, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the reliability and fail-safe capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is divided into multiple independent enclosures (inner enclosure, intermediate chamber, outer enclosure) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and tested independently while providing redundant containment paths that enhance fail-safe capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner enclosure is nested within the outer enclosure with an intermediate chamber in between, creating a nested structure. This nested design provides multiple barriers against leaks while maintaining a compact overall form factor, and allows the pressure sensor to be housed in the intermediate space without increasing external dimensions significantly.
3Measurement precision
If the pressure measuring sensor extends through the outer wall to measure chamber pressure, then the sensor can monitor the intermediate chamber, but the outer wall integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the intermediate chamber as an intermediary space that allows pressure monitoring without penetrating the outer wall. The sensor measures pressure in this intermediate chamber, which indirectly reflects the pressure in the inner enclosure, thereby eliminating the need to compromise the outer wall integrity with sensor penetrations.
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 tank design prevents leaks and ensures reliable operation by detecting and managing pressure changes, maintaining functionality even if one enclosure leaks, and allows for emergency gas release to actuate doors or slides, enhancing safety in aircraft emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure measuring sensor is positioned relative to said chamber so as to allow the measurement of a pressure within said chamber
Implementation Method 2
the pressure measuring sensor may comprise a membrane and a strain gauge provided on the outer surface of the tank or chamber, for measuring the pressure inside the chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A tank (100) is described herein that may be used in combination with an actuating means such as a pneumatic door actuating means. The tank (100) may also be used to inflate and/or deploy an emergency evacuation slide in an aircraft. Other uses are also envisaged. The tank (100) comprises a first, inner, enclosure (10) positioned and enclosed within a second, outer, enclosure (20), to provide an enclosed chamber (30) between the inner enclosure (10) and outer enclosure (20). The pressure in the chamber (30) may be measured with a gauge that does not extend into the inner enclosure (10). The measured pressure may then be monitored and compared in order to detect a change in pressure and thereby also detect a leak through a wall from the inner enclosure (10). Even if a wall of the inner enclosure (10) does fail, pressure in the tank (100) is still maintained due to the presence of the outer enclosure (20) and the chamber (30).