Aircraft Galley Door Seal Assembly with Biasing Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seal assemblies for aircraft galley doors, such as blade seals and brush seals, fail to effectively seal airflow at the sides and bottom, leading to inefficiencies in cooling performance and discomfort due to air leakage, and are prone to wear and damage.

Innovation Solution

A seal assembly with a movably coupled seal and a biasing mechanism that holds the seal in an open position during door operation, using an activation mechanism to switch to a sealed position, reducing wear and enhancing sealing efficiency by lifting or pivoting the seal away from the floor and sealing against the door frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blade seals or brush seals are used at the bottom of the door, then sealing is provided, but air leakage occurs at the sides and bottom due to curved shape and gaps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidair leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The seal assembly is configured to be movable between an open position and a sealed position. During door operation, the seal automatically moves to maintain contact with the door frame, dynamically adapting to door movement while maintaining sealing effectiveness and preventing air leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seal assembly is divided into separate functional components: a seal element for blocking air leakage, a holder for mounting the seal, and a biasing mechanism for maintaining sealing force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of moving object

If blade seals are made of hard rubber to prevent excessive wear, then wear resistance is improved, but the seal is not compressible against the floor creating a poor seal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal durabilityVSAvoidsealing quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal assembly changes the physical state and position of the seal dynamically. The seal is biased to maintain continuous contact with the door frame, ensuring optimal sealing pressure and quality throughout door operation, while the movable configuration prevents excessive wear by reducing friction during door movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing mechanism acts as an intermediary between the seal and the door frame, maintaining optimal sealing force. The movable seal holder serves as an intermediary that allows the seal to dynamically adjust its position, ensuring continuous contact with the door frame while preventing excessive wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If blade seals continuously rub against the floor during opening and closing, then sealing is maintained, but wear and structural failure occur over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing continuityVSAvoidseal service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The seal assembly is configured to be movable between an open position and a sealed position. During door operation, the seal automatically moves to maintain contact with the door frame, dynamically adapting to door movement while maintaining sealing effectiveness and preventing air leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Area of stationary object

If the seal extends beyond the door frame to seal at the floor, then sealing coverage is improved, but gaps remain at the sides allowing leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal coverage areaVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal assembly is configured to be movable between an open position and a sealed position. During door operation, the seal automatically moves to maintain contact with the door frame, dynamically adapting to door movement while maintaining sealing effectiveness and preventing air leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 seal assembly effectively prevents airflow leakage, reduces wear, and maintains sealing efficiency by automatically opening and closing with the door, improving both cooling performance and crew comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing mechanism coupled to the seal holder and configured to hold the seal in an open position by applying a biasing force to the seal holder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiasing force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The seal assembly effectively prevents airflow leakage, reduces wear, and maintains sealing efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow resistance: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10865599B2Seal assembly for a galley door of a galley and method of assembling a galley with a seal assembly

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A seal assembly for use with a door within a frame of a galley of an aircraft includes a seal configured to be movably coupled to the door and a seal holder holding the seal. The seal assembly includes a biasing mechanism coupled to the seal holder and configured to hold the seal in an open position by applying a biasing force to the seal holder. An activation mechanism is operably coupled to the seal holder that overcomes the biasing force to move the seal from the open position to a sealed position.