Fireproof Container for Gas Turbine Ignition Sources

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aero gas turbine engines face design constraints and performance penalties due to the need for fireproofing, which limits material choices and requires additional partitioning between fire and non-fire zones within the engine bay.

Innovation Solution

A fireproof container is used to house potential ignition sources within the engine bay, allowing for a wider variety of materials to be used in other components and eliminating the need for additional partitioning, thereby relaxing fireproofing requirements outside the container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fireproofing requirements are applied to all components in the engine bay, then fire safety is improved, but weight increases and material choices are constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidcomponent weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The engine bay is segmented into a fire zone containing only potential ignition sources within a fireproof container, and a non-fire zone where lighter materials can be used. This spatial segmentation allows fire safety to be concentrated where needed while permitting weight reduction in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Fireproofing is applied locally only to the container holding ignition sources, rather than uniformly to all components. This localized application of fireproofing maintains safety while allowing non-fireproof, lighter materials to be used for components outside the fire zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If fireproofing requirements are applied to all components in the engine bay, then fire safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional partitioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidpartitioning complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple fireproofing functions are merged into a single fireproof container that houses all potential ignition sources. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate fire zones and partitioning structures, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining fire safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fireproof container serves multiple functions: it contains ignition sources, provides fire protection, and acts as a structural mounting platform for components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated fire protection structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If fireproof materials are used for all components, then fire resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The engine bay is segmented into fire and non-fire zones, allowing fireproof materials to be used only for the container holding ignition sources, while cheaper, non-fireproof materials can be used for other components in the non-fire zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Fireproofing is applied locally only where necessary (the container), rather than uniformly across all components. This selective application reduces material costs while maintaining adequate fire protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If fire zones are partitioned from non-fire zones, then fire safety is improved, but adaptability of engine bay layout is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidlayout flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The engine bay is segmented into fire and non-fire zones using a single fireproof container rather than extensive partitioning structures. This minimal segmentation approach maintains layout flexibility while establishing clear fire zone boundaries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Fire protection is implemented by containing ignition sources in a three-dimensional container volume rather than using two-dimensional partitioning walls throughout the engine bay. This approach preserves more layout flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11078848B2Gas turbine engine fireproofing

Publication Date: 2021.08.03 ROLLS ROYCE PLC

AI summary

A gas turbine engine has a nacelle providing an external skin of the engine, a casing structure radially inwards of the external skin and providing an outer surface of an air flow duct of the engine, and plural engine components located in the bay formed between the casing structure and the nacelle. The components are part of either a first set of components or a second set of components. The components of the first set are all the components from the bay which are potential ignition sources, and the components of the second set are all the remaining components from the bay. The engine further has a container located in the bay, the container being fireproof capable of withstanding the application of heat by a standard flame for 15 minutes and the container containing the components of the first set.