Aircraft Fuselage Attachment Plate for Lightning and Heat Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft attachment systems for components like pipes and skids to the fuselage are costly due to the need for expensive materials to prevent electrical current and heat transfer, which can damage the fuselage during lightning strikes or emergency landings.
Innovation Solution
An attachment system with a plate made of electrically or thermally insulating material, fixed to the fuselage using bolts with countersunk heads to prevent contact between the fitting and screws, and optionally an intermediate plate for additional insulation, ensuring electrical and thermal isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specific expensive materials are used to attach metallic fittings to the fuselage, then electrical insulation is ensured, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive plate is introduced as an intermediary element between the metallic fitting and the fuselage. This plate serves as a mediator that provides electrical insulation without requiring the fitting itself to be made of expensive insulating materials. The plate is secured to the fuselage with bolts, and the fitting is then attached to the plate, creating an insulating barrier that protects the fuselage from lightning-induced currents.
2Temperature
If specific expensive materials are used to attach fittings to the fuselage, then thermal insulation is ensured, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-conductive plate acts as a thermal mediator between the metallic fitting and the fuselage. When the fitting experiences heat (e.g., from friction during emergency landing), the plate serves as a thermal barrier that prevents direct heat transfer to the fuselage. This intermediary approach provides thermal insulation without requiring the fitting to be constructed from expensive heat-resistant materials.
3Device complexity
If the fitting is directly attached to the fuselage, then structural simplicity is maintained, but disturbance transmission (current and heat) occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The non-conductive plate is positioned between the fitting and the fuselage to block the transmission of harmful disturbances such as electrical currents and heat. This intermediary structure adds minimal complexity while effectively isolating the fuselage from potential damage caused by lightning strikes or friction heat during emergency landings.
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
Reduces the cost of attachment by using less expensive materials while effectively preventing electrical current and heat transfer to the fuselage, thereby protecting it from disturbances.
Implementation Method 1
the plate is made of an electrically insulating material arranged to prevent the passage of current
Implementation Method 2
the plate is made of a thermally insulating material arranged to limit the passage of heat
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment system (300) for fixing an element to an aircraft fuselage (101), wherein the attachment system (300) comprises a plate (302) having a first face (302a) and a second face (302b) oriented towards the fuselage (101), and wherein the plate (302) is fixed to said fuselage (101), a fitting (208) fixed to said element (206) and having a contact face (208a) in contact with the first face (302a), and at least one fixing bolt (304) comprising a screw (304a) and a nut (304b), wherein the head of the screw (304a) is housed in the plate (302) on the side of the second face (302b), and wherein the nut (304b) is screwed into the screw (304a) by sandwiching the plate (302) and the fitting. (208). Such an attachment system makes it possible to limit the passage of disturbances such as an electric current or a heat flow towards the fuselage by incorporating a buffer plate.