Flexible Graphite Sheets for Aircraft Fire Barrier Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fire barrier protection systems for aircraft, ships, and offshore drilling platforms face challenges due to space and weight constraints, with existing solutions often being ineffective in preventing burnthrough and offering inadequate flame retardancy.

Innovation Solution

The use of flexible graphite sheets, particularly graphitized polymer sheets, which provide superior fire barrier properties with reduced weight and bulk, and are applied in various configurations such as laminates, insulation blankets, and repair patches, offering continuous film coverage and enhanced thermal conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fire barrier materials (ceramic paper, fiberglass, foam blankets) are used, then flame retardancy and burnthrough resistance are provided, but weight and bulk increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire barrier protectionVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flexible graphite sheets as thin film materials to replace bulky conventional fire barrier materials. The graphite sheets provide continuous film coverage with superior flame retardancy and burnthrough resistance while significantly reducing weight and bulk compared to ceramic paper, fiberglass, and foam blankets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite constructions combining graphite sheets with other materials such as insulation blankets, laminates, and repair patches. These composite structures leverage the exceptional fire resistance of graphite while integrating functional materials for thermal insulation and structural support, achieving optimal performance-to-weight ratio.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If thicker fire barrier materials are used to prevent burnthrough, then protection effectiveness improves, but space constraints are violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveburnthrough resistanceVSAvoidspace

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin flexible graphite sheets that provide exceptional burnthrough resistance despite their minimal thickness. The continuous film structure of the graphite sheets creates an effective fire barrier without requiring the bulkiness of traditional thick insulation materials, thus satisfying both protection effectiveness and space constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Temperature

If conventional insulation materials are used, then thermal insulation is provided, but flame penetration occurs after prolonged exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidflame resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms conventional organic insulation materials into graphitized polymer sheets through thermal processing. This parameter change fundamentally alters the material properties, creating a flame-resistant barrier that maintains its integrity during prolonged flame exposure while providing effective thermal insulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite structures combining graphitized polymer sheets with insulation materials to achieve both superior flame resistance and thermal insulation. The graphite-based composite materials resist flame penetration while maintaining thermal insulation properties, overcoming the limitation of conventional materials that allow flame penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Weight of moving object

If flexible graphite sheets are used, then weight and bulk are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidmanufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes graphitization processes that transform polymer materials into graphite-based compounds through controlled thermal treatment. This parameter change enables the production of flexible graphite sheets with desired properties, balancing manufacturing complexity with the advantages of reduced weight and superior fire resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The flexible graphite sheets exhibit exceptional flame resistance, maintaining integrity and flexibility even after 6 minutes of flame exposure, preventing flame penetration, and reducing heat flux and temperature, while also providing electromagnetic shielding, thus enhancing safety and reducing material weight.

Implementation Method 1

providing electromagnetic shielding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

enhanced thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9272169B2Fire barrier protection for airplanes comprising graphite films

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 KANEKA CORP

AI summary

A fire barrier system for use in aircraft, ship or offshore drilling platform comprises a flexible graphite sheet. Methods of providing fire barrier protection in an aircraft, ship or offshore drilling platform comprise installing the described fire barrier system in the aircraft, ship or offshore drilling platform. Additionally, the fire barrier system when installed in the aircraft, ship or offshore drilling platform is described.