Integrated Fire Extinguisher Fitting for Filling and Pressure Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft fire extinguishers require multiple ports for filling and pressure monitoring, which increases manufacturing complexity, weight, and potential failure modes due to additional components and sealing challenges.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose fitting that serves as both a fill port and a pressure monitoring port, integrated with a fill adapter and pressure monitoring device, reduces the number of components and operations, allowing for simultaneous filling and pressure monitoring, thereby minimizing weight and potential leak paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ports are provided for filling and pressure monitoring, then the fire extinguisher can perform both functions, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by integrating both filling and pressure monitoring capabilities into a single port assembly. The adapter housing contains both a fill thread for receiving filling equipment and a pressure sensor thread for mounting pressure sensors, allowing one port to serve multiple functions that traditionally required separate ports
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate filling and pressure monitoring ports into a single integrated adapter assembly. This merging reduces the total number of ports and associated sealing components while maintaining both filling and pressure monitoring functionalities
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ports with separate sealing components are used, then both filling and pressure monitoring can be achieved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines previously separate filling and pressure monitoring ports into a single integrated adapter assembly. This merging reduces the total number of ports and associated sealing components while maintaining both filling and pressure monitoring functionalities
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - it provides both filling capability through the fill thread and pressure monitoring capability through the pressure sensor thread, eliminating the need for separate dedicated ports and their associated sealing components
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate ports are provided, then filling and pressure monitoring functions are available, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines previously separate filling and pressure monitoring ports into a single integrated adapter assembly. This merging reduces the total number of ports and associated sealing components while maintaining both filling and pressure monitoring functionalities
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously - it provides both filling capability through the fill thread and pressure monitoring capability through the pressure sensor thread, eliminating the need for separate dedicated ports and their associated sealing components
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly for a fire extinguisher system includes a fire extinguisher fitting that extends into a fire extinguisher container and a fill adapter. The fitting defines a fitting bore through which a connection portion of a pressure monitoring device at least partially extends and a fitting flange that is disposed about the fitting and is disposed parallel to a flange of the pressure monitoring device. The fill adapter includes an adapter housing and an adapter shaft. The adapter housing is arranged to be disposed about the pressure monitoring device. The adapter shaft that at least partially extends through the adapter housing. The adapter shaft is arranged to engage a monitoring housing of the pressure monitoring device.