Aircraft Fuel Cell Shielding With Void Space for Crash Puncture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft fuel tanks face damage and leakage risks during crashes due to external structures like cargo hooks, which can puncture or deform, leading to fuel leaks and fire hazards, despite existing regulations aimed at crash resistance.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell protection system is implemented, featuring a plate spaced apart from the aircraft's inner surface to create a void space that can receive cargo hooks or other external accessories during a crash, preventing them from damaging the fuel tanks. This system can be made of rigid materials or ballistic fabrics and includes sidewalls and tabs for attachment to the fuselage and structural beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cargo hooks and external structures are mounted on the aircraft fuselage, then cargo transport capability is improved, but fuel cell integrity deteriorates due to puncture threats during crash
Solution Approach 1:
A protective plate is introduced as an intermediary element positioned between the cargo hook and the fuel cell. The plate serves as a mediator that intercepts and absorbs impact forces from the cargo hook during crash, preventing direct contact with the fuel cell while allowing the cargo hook to remain functional for its intended purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: a rigid protective plate for direct impact resistance, void spaces for energy absorption and deformation, and attachment structures for integration. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally during crash events.
2Volume of stationary object
If the fuel tank is positioned close to the fuselage inner surface, then space utilization is improved, but crash resistance deteriorates due to direct exposure to impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure extends the protection in the vertical dimension by creating a multi-layered barrier system with the protective plate positioned at a distance from the fuel cell. This dimensional approach allows impact forces to be dissipated through space and structural deformation before reaching the fuel cell, rather than providing only a simple linear barrier.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid protective plate is used between the fuselage and fuel cell, then puncture protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective plate structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides puncture protection, absorbs impact energy through void space deformation, attaches to the fuselage structure, and maintains fuel cell positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to a fuel cell protection system comprising an aircraft fuselage having an inner surface and an outer surface, an attachment point mounted on the outer surface, an aircraft fuel cell spaced apart from the inner surface, and a plate positioned between the inner surface and the aircraft fuel system, the plate spaced apart from the inner surface to create a void space. The attachment point may be a cargo hook. The void space is configured to receive all or a portion of the cargo hook after a crash. The plate creating the void space may be a rigid material or may be a ballistic fabric material.