Fuel Tank Fastener Shielding Ribbon for Faster Ignition Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of sealants and seal caps for metal fasteners in composite aircraft fuel tanks is labor-intensive and costly, requiring solvent cleaning, multiple application steps, curing, and inspection, and custom trimming to avoid interference with adjacent fasteners, which increases manufacturing lead time and cost.
Innovation Solution
An ignition-suppressing device comprising a ribbon with spaced receptacles that can be easily installed over fasteners in aircraft fuel tanks, reducing installation time and eliminating the need for custom trimming, featuring adhesive regions for secure attachment and permeable materials to manage ignition hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealant and seal caps are used to isolate metal fasteners from fuel volume, then ignition hazard containment is achieved, but installation time and labor cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seal cap and sealant into a single integrated ignition-suppressing device. The seal cap is pre-coated with sealant, eliminating the need for separate application steps. This merging of components directly reduces installation time while maintaining ignition hazard containment through the combined sealing and isolating functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealant is applied to the seal cap during manufacturing before installation in the fuel tank. This preliminary action eliminates the need for solvent cleaning and brush coating steps during installation, significantly reducing labor time and complexity while ensuring proper sealing is achieved.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom trimming of seal caps is performed to avoid interference with adjacent fasteners, then proper fit is achieved, but manufacturing lead time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition-suppressing device is designed with a standardized geometry that can accommodate multiple fastener configurations. The receptacle structure and seal cap dimensions are engineered to work with various fastener spacings without requiring custom trimming, making the device universal and eliminating additional manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the seal cap and receptacle to create clearance zones that prevent interference with adjacent fasteners. By carefully selecting dimensions such as cap diameter, receptacle depth, and spacing, the design achieves proper fit without requiring post-manufacturing trimming operations.
3Reliability
If multiple hand-application steps and curing processes are used for sealant installation, then proper sealing is achieved, but labor intensity and inspection time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pre-coated seal cap where the sealant is applied in a controlled manufacturing environment. The sealant is designed to cure rapidly upon exposure to ambient conditions in the fuel tank, eliminating the need for multiple hand-application steps and extended curing processes during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealant application and initial curing are performed during seal cap manufacturing before installation. This preliminary action ensures proper sealing quality is achieved under controlled conditions, reducing the need for complex installation procedures and extensive inspection during fuel tank assembly.
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
Significantly reduces installation time and cost by allowing for efficient dispensing and manufacturing of the ignition-suppressing device, ensuring effective suppression of ignition events without the need for custom trimming or extensive labor, while maintaining the integrity of the fuel tank.
Implementation Method 1
The ignition-suppressing device further comprises a first adhesive region positioned on the reverse side of the ignition-suppressing device and configured to bond the ignition-suppressing device to at least one fastener; and a second adhesive region positioned on the reverse side of the ignition-suppressing device and configured to bond the ignition-suppressing device to the fuel tank.
Implementation Method 2
The ignition-suppressing device is configured to be installed over fasteners within an aircraft fuel tank... featuring permeable materials to manage ignition hazards
Data Source
AI summary
An ignition-suppressing device (100) for shielding fasteners (106) comprises a ribbon (102) and receptacles (104) that are spaced apart from one another along the ribbon (102).