Aircraft Floor Panel Insulating Fabric for Thermal Conductivity and Electrical Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heated floor panels in aircraft cabins are susceptible to damage from impact and piercing due to their configuration, and existing materials that are thermally conductive are often electrically conductive, leading to shorting issues.
Innovation Solution
A floor panel assembly featuring a nano alumina or boron nitride nanotube fabric as an insulating layer, which is both thermally conductive and electrically insulating, combined with structural layers and a honeycomb structure to provide mechanical protection and prevent short circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thermally conductive materials are used for the insulating layer, then heat transfer between the heater and cabin is improved, but electrical conductivity increases causing short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of thermally conductive particles (such as aluminum oxide, boron nitride, or diamond particles) dispersed in an electrically insulating polymer matrix. This composite structure enables simultaneous thermal conduction and electrical insulation, resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and electrical safety.
2Strength
If metallic skin is used to protect heated floor panels, then structural strength is improved, but susceptibility to impact and piercing damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional metallic skin to a composite material with high strength-to-weight ratio and superior impact resistance. The composite material maintains structural strength while providing enhanced resistance to impact and piercing damage through its tailored composition and mechanical properties.
3Temperature
If traditional heated floor panel configuration is used, then heating function is achieved, but damage resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-layer composite structure where the insulating layer contains thermally conductive particles in an electrically insulating matrix, combining heating efficiency with enhanced damage resistance. This composite approach maintains the heating function while significantly improving protection against impact and piercing damage.
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 solution enhances the impact resistance and thermal conductivity of heated floor panels while preventing short circuits, maintaining efficient heating without additional power consumption or weight, and is environmentally safe.
Implementation Method 1
the insulating layer is a material selected from the group consisting of nano alumina and boron nitride nanotubes
Implementation Method 2
which is both thermally conductive and electrically insulating
Implementation Method 3
the sheet heater attached to the insulating layer by a first adhesive, a first structural layer attached to the sheet heater opposite the insulating layer by a second adhesive
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A floor panel assembly includes an insulating layer which protects a sheet heater, first and second structural layers, and a honeycomb layer for support. The floor panel assembly allows for heating of the cabin of an aircraft without mechanical damage to the sheet heater. Also described is a method for creating a floor panel assembly.