Fire Blanket Torque Protection Device for Foil Damage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire blankets, particularly the metallic foil layer, are prone to damage at bolt holes due to torque and high temperatures, leading to costly replacements in applications like aircraft thrust reverser assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A fire blanket assembly with a metallic foil layer and an insert disc detail that includes a base, sidewall, and flange, along with a sealant, to cover and reinforce the foil layer at attachment points, preventing damage and allowing for re-use of damaged blankets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bolts are used to secure the fire blanket, then the blanket can be firmly attached to the installation location, but the foil layer can be damaged through cracking and tearing at the bolt holes due to torque and foil flexure
Solution Approach 1:
A torque protection device is introduced as an intermediary component between the bolt and the fire blanket. This device includes a base positioned within the opening, a sidewall extending from the base, and a flange extending from the sidewall with a perimeter turned away from the metallic foil layer. The torque protection device captures torque from the bolt, preventing it from being transmitted to the fire blanket and causing foil damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque protection device is segmented into distinct functional parts: a base that interfaces with the thermal insulation material, a sidewall that provides structural support, and a flange with a turned perimeter that protects the foil layer. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while working together to solve the overall problem of torque-induced foil damage.
2Reliability
If the fire blanket is replaced when damaged, then the thermal protection is restored, but the cost of replacement is substantial
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the entire fire blanket when the foil layer is damaged, the invention allows for recovering and reusing the blanket by installing a torque protection device at the damaged location. This protects the existing foil layer and prevents further damage, enabling the blanket to be reused and avoiding substantial replacement costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic element (the bolt that transmits damaging torque) is effectively extracted from the system by introducing the torque protection device. The device captures and isolates the torque, preventing it from reaching the foil layer, thereby separating the attachment function from the damage-causing function.
3Strength
If high torque is applied to secure the blanket, then the attachment is more secure, but foil flexure and cracking increase at the bolt holes
Solution Approach 1:
The torque that would normally be harmful to the foil layer is converted into a beneficial force by the torque protection device. The device's flange, with its perimeter turned away from the foil layer, is designed to capture and utilize this torque, preventing it from damaging the foil while maintaining secure attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire blanket assembly includes a thermal insulation material defining an opening, a metallic foil layer positioned along a first surface of the thermal insulation material and over at least a portion of the opening, an insert disc positioned adjacent to a second surface of the thermal insulation material opposite the first surface and further being positioned at the opening in the thermal insulation material, and a detail. The detail includes a base positioned at least partially within the opening in the thermal insulation material, a sidewall extending from the base, and a flange extending from the sidewall at a location spaced from the base, a perimeter of the flange turned at least partially away from the metallic foil layer.