Single-Piece Fire Resistance Device for Aircraft Turbomachine Mounting Strut
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Solution Overview
Problem
In twin-spool turbomachines for aircraft, there is a challenge in preventing the propagation of fires from the inter-flow compartment to the zone upstream of the mounting strut, requiring a fire-resistant device that is easily integratable and manufacturable within the complex environment.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece fire resistance device with a C-shaped contact lip and a beaded segment, supported by a second contact lip, which forms two distinct physical barriers to prevent fire propagation circumferentially and axially, and is compatible with existing devices, facilitating easy assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fire resistance device is installed between the mounting strut and connection cowling to prevent fire propagation, then fire containment function is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase due to the dense and complex environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional elements into a single integrated fire resistance device. The contact structure combines the first contact lip with the beaded segment and second contact lip into one continuous component, eliminating the need for separate parts and simplifying installation while maintaining fire containment functionality between the mounting strut and connection cowling.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire resistance device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides fire containment, creates physical barriers to prevent flame propagation circumferentially and axially, and facilitates easy installation through its single-piece design. The contact structure with its dual lips and beaded segment performs both sealing and structural support roles.
2Reliability
If a complex fire resistance device with multiple components is used to ensure fire containment, then fire containment function is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into a single molded piece, eliminating assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity. The contact structure with its integrated lips and beaded segment can be manufactured as one component, significantly improving ease of production while maintaining reliable fire containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the manufacturing approach by using a single-piece molding process instead of assembling multiple components. This parameter change in the manufacturing method (from multi-component assembly to single-component molding) directly improves ease of manufacture while the geometric features like the C-shaped lips and beaded segments maintain the fire containment function.
3Reliability
If traditional contact structures with tubular beads are used, then fire containment is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to the need for inserts and prestressing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the contact lip and beaded segment into a single continuous structure, eliminating the need for separate inserts and prestressing operations. The C-shaped contact lip flows directly into the beaded segment, creating an integrated component that simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining effective fire containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex insert and prestressing operations from the manufacturing process by designing a single-piece contact structure. The beaded segment is formed as an integral part of the contact lip, removing the need for additional manufacturing steps and simplifying production.
Data Source
AI summary
A fire resistance device designed to be placed between a mounting strut of a double-flow aircraft turbomachine and a connecting cowling with which the turbomachine is equipped, the connecting cowling being designed 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 can be produced as a single piece and includes two contact lips which extend along different lines, the first lip having a C-shaped cross-section.