Firewall Pipe Assembly With Movable Fireproof Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe assemblies for gas turbines do not provide adequate axial movability and sealing capabilities to traverse firewalls while maintaining fireproof integrity, particularly in dynamic environments like aircraft engines.

Innovation Solution

A pipe assembly with a shield device and a movable sealing device made from fireproof materials, allowing axial adjustment and sealing, featuring a convex sealing space and elastic bias for enhanced sealing, connected to the firewall for movement, and optionally including vibration damping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pipe assembly provides axial movability to accommodate mechanical movements, then adaptability is improved, but fireproof sealing capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial movabilityVSAvoidfireproof sealing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is designed to be movable within the sealing space, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position in the axial direction to accommodate mechanical movements of the pipe and firewall, while maintaining continuous sealing contact through elastic bias from the spring element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A movable sealing device acts as an intermediary between the pipe and firewall, providing fireproof sealing while accommodating relative movements. The sealing device with elastic bias elements maintains sealing pressure dynamically, resolving the contradiction between movability and sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a shield device provides spatial separation for fireproofing, then fireproof separation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefireproof separationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fireproof traverse system is segmented into distinct functional components: a shield device for spatial separation and fireproofing, and a separate movable sealing device for maintaining seals. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without unnecessary complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shield device serves as an intermediary structure that provides spatial separation between zones while containing the sealing function within a defined sealing space, simplifying the overall fireproof separation mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures effective fireproof separation and sealing between zones, accommodating mechanical movements and vibrations, preventing fire spread while maintaining structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

At least one spring element is provided in the sealing device. The spring element acts in such a way that a pretension (or bias) in the sealing device is achieved, in particular against the shield device, with which the sealing device seals.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4488491B1Pipe assembly
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 ROLLS ROYCE DEUT LTD & CO KG
  • EP4488491B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4488491B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4488491B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pipe assembly (10) for a pipe (1) traversing a firewall (20) from a first zone (A) to a second zone (B) in an engine. The pipe assembly provides a misalignment capability and has a shield device (2) that provides a spatial separation between a sealing space (S) around the pipe (1) and a part of the first zone (A). The sealing space (S) has an opening (O) towards another part of the first space (A). The pipe assembly also has a sealing device (15) that is movable within the sealing space (S) through an opening (O) to seal off the sealing space (S) against the first zone (A). The shield device (2) and the sealing device (15) are made from a fireproof material. At least a part of the shield device (1) is elastically biased against the sealing device (15).