Flexible Puncture-Resistant Sheet for Fuel Cell Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft components, particularly composite structural components, may fracture during crashes, leading to potential rupture of adjacent fuel system components due to sharp edges and flying fragments, which existing technologies do not adequately protect against.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a sheet of puncture-resistant, flexible material with openings is positioned and attached to aircraft structures to protect rupturable components like fuel cells and interconnects, using materials such as para-aramid or nylon fibers, which can deflect jagged edges and fragments, preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If composite structural components are used in aircraft, then weight is reduced and strength is improved, but during crashes these components may fracture and cause damage to adjacent fuel system components
Solution Approach 1:
A protective sheet made of puncture-resistant flexible material is positioned between the composite structural component and the fuel cell interconnect. This intermediary sheet deflects jagged edges and flying fragments generated during structural fracture, preventing direct contact with and damage to the fuel system components while allowing the composite structure to maintain its strength properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sheet is installed in advance during aircraft assembly, creating a pre-positioned barrier that cushions and protects fuel system components before any crash event occurs. The sheet is permanently or semi-permanently attached to the aircraft structure to ensure it is in place to deflect harmful fragments during a crash event.
2Reliability
If protective sheets are added to protect fuel components, then protection from fracture damage is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective barrier is implemented as a flexible sheet made of puncture-resistant material rather than a rigid complex structure. This thin film approach provides effective protection against jagged edges and fragments while adding minimal complexity to the fuel system. The flexible nature of the sheet allows it to conform to the existing structure and fuel components.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sheet is constructed from high-strength composite materials such as para-aramid or meta-aramid fibers that provide exceptional puncture resistance and fragment deflection capability. These composite materials deliver superior protection performance while maintaining a thin, lightweight profile that minimizes added system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for protecting an adjacent rupturable component including positioning a sheet of puncture resistant, flexible material including one or more openings at or about the structure opening wherein the one or more openings accommodate the rupturable component; permanently or semi-permanently attaching the sheet to the structure at a first portion of an area of the sheet; and positioning the rupturable component through the one or more openings, such that one or more portions of the rupturable component near the one or more openings are protected by the sheet if the structure becomes frayed; wherein the sheet prevents damage to the rupturable component if the structure frays or fractures at or about the structure opening.