Protected Fuel Line Sleeve for Cryogenic Leak Containment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel line systems in aircraft and vehicles using high-pressure or novel fuels like hydrogen face challenges in providing a second layer of leak containment and detection, especially due to the complexity and weight of multiple joints, which complicates installation and failure detection.
Innovation Solution
A protected fuel line system comprising a primary fuel conduit and a flexible, reinforced outer sleeve that encloses the primary conduit, creating a sealed volume for additional containment and insulation. This system includes means for leak detection, such as pressure sensors or frangible trip wires, to quickly identify and address failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple individual fuel line lengths are connected after installation to enable access, then ease of installation is improved, but device complexity and weight increase due to the multiplication of joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual fuel line segments into a single continuous protected fuel line assembly. The protective sleeve encompasses the entire fuel line length as one integrated unit, eliminating the need for multiple connection joints between segments. This combining approach maintains ease of installation while dramatically reducing complexity and weight associated with numerous joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the protective sleeve is positioned around the fuel line conduit, creating a concentric arrangement. This nesting allows the protective sleeve to be installed as a single continuous component that envelops the entire fuel line, avoiding the need for multiple external joints and connections that would otherwise be required.
2Ease of operation
If multiple joints are used to connect fuel line segments, then ease of installation is improved, but the number of joints makes it difficult to detect and isolate failures
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the protective sleeve into a single continuous component that spans the entire fuel line length, the patent eliminates multiple joints that would otherwise create numerous potential failure points. This unified structure makes failure detection and isolation significantly easier, as there are fewer joints to monitor and potential leak sources to identify.
3Reliability
If a second layer of leak containment is added to fuel line systems, then safety is improved, but weight and complexity increase due to multiple joints and components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective sleeve into a single integrated component that provides continuous second-layer containment along the entire fuel line. This merging approach achieves enhanced safety through consistent protective coverage while minimizing weight and complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate containment segments and their associated joints and connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested arrangement of the protective sleeve around the fuel line conduit creates an efficient dual-layer containment system. This concentric configuration provides comprehensive safety protection while maintaining structural simplicity and minimizing the number of discrete components, joints, and connection points that would otherwise increase weight and complexity.
4Ease of operation
If traditional fuel pipework is installed in multiple individual lengths, then access and installation flexibility is improved, but the multiplication of joints creates heavy and complex protection designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective sleeve into a single continuous component that can be installed over the fuel line in one piece. This approach reduces the total weight of the protection system by eliminating the weight of multiple joints, connectors, and overlapping protective segments that would be required if traditional multi-section fuel lines were used.
Data Source
AI summary
A second layer of physical protection against failure for a fuel line of a vehicle for use with high pressure and cryogenic fuels increases safety. The primary fuel line can be assembled from one or more components. The secondary protection is a single outer sleeve that includes a selectively permeable or impermeable membrane and may be reinforced. The sleeve and enclosed volume can also be used to protect against oxygen liquification in cryogenic applications. A means to detect failure of the primary fuel line and optional means to vent leaking fuel depend on the application. Clamp designs may be used to mount and clamp such assemblies in a vehicle structure.