One-Piece Fire Barrier for Aircraft Turbomachine Mounting Strut
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Solution Overview
Problem
In double-flow aircraft turbomachines, there is a risk of fire spreading from the inter-flow compartment to the upstream area of the mounting strut, and existing solutions are complex and costly to integrate and manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A fire resistance device with a C-shaped contacting lip and a support portion, featuring a second contacting lip with a blocking portion, is placed between the upstream end of the mounting strut and the connecting cowling, forming two physical barriers to prevent fire spread, and is designed for easy integration and manufacturing by being one-piece with deformable lips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fire resistance solutions are implemented using multiple separate components (inserts, bead seals, tubular contacts), then fire barrier function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate fire resistance components (contacting lips, support portions, blocking portions) into a single integrated fire resistance device. This unified structure eliminates the need for multiple discrete parts while maintaining the fire barrier function, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
While integrating components, the device maintains functional segmentation through distinct zones: contacting lips for sealing, support portions for structural integrity, and blocking portions for flame prevention. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function within the unified structure, achieving both simplicity and effectiveness.
2Reliability
If complex multi-component fire resistance devices are used, then fire protection is provided, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to multiple assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all fire resistance functions into a single manufacturable unit, the patent eliminates multiple assembly steps, reduces manufacturing complexity, and improves ease of production while maintaining fire resistance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified fire resistance device performs multiple functions simultaneously: sealing between components, providing structural support, and blocking flame propagation. This multi-functionality in a single component simplifies manufacturing compared to producing and assembling multiple specialized parts.
3Reliability
If traditional fire barrier components are installed in the dense environment of the mounting strut area, then fire spread is prevented, but ease of operation and integration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated fire resistance device consolidates multiple functions into one component that can be installed as a single unit in the constrained mounting strut area, improving ease of operation and integration compared to installing multiple separate components in the same space.
Solution Approach 2:
The contacting lips are designed to be deformable, allowing them to adapt to slight variations in assembly tolerances and maintain effective sealing. This dynamic capability facilitates easier installation and operation in the dense mounting environment.
4Ease of manufacture
If one-piece fire resistance device with deformable lips is used, then ease of manufacture improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting lips are designed with specific geometric parameters that allow deformation under compression. This parameter design enables the lips to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, maintaining sealing effectiveness while facilitating one-piece production with relaxed precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable contacting lips function as flexible sealing elements within the one-piece device. Their flexibility allows them to conform to mating surfaces despite minor manufacturing variations, achieving effective sealing without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire resistance device intended to be placed between a mounting strut of a double-flow aircraft turbomachine and a connecting cowling equipping this turbomachine, the connecting cowling being intended to connect an upstream ring delimiting an inter-flow compartment, to an arm that extends radially across a secondary flow of the turbomachine. The device includes two contacting lips extending along different lines, of which a first lip with a C-shaped section is integrated within a contact structure, and a second lip including at its end a protruding blocking portion protecting the contact structure.