Hat Stringer Vent Dam With Small-Slot Fluid Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vent dams for aircraft fuel stringers require large slots for installation, compromising structural integrity and involve complex, time-consuming assembly processes due to multiple interlocking parts and fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A low-impact vent dam configuration using flexible baffles and sealant, where baffles are inserted through a smaller slot and expand to form seals within the stringer, combined with a curing sealant to create a fluid barrier, reducing structural impact and simplifying installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vent dams with multiple interlocking parts and fasteners are used, then fluid sealing between stringer sections is achieved, but structural integrity is compromised and installation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (baffles and fasteners) into a single integrated baffle assembly that can be installed as one unit. The integrated pair of baffles forms a complete fluid barrier without requiring additional fastening components, thereby maintaining structural integrity while achieving reliable fluid sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible baffle material that can be inserted through a small access slot and then expanded to seal against the stringer interior surfaces. This flexible membrane approach creates effective fluid sealing without requiring large openings or complex mechanical fastening systems that would compromise structural strength.
2Reliability
If conventional vent dams with multiple interlocking parts are used, then fluid sealing is achieved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated baffle assembly combines multiple sealing components into a single pre-assembled unit that can be installed in one operation. This eliminates the time-consuming process of assembling multiple interlocking parts and fasteners during installation, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining fluid sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle assembly is prepared and integrated beforehand as a complete unit before installation. All sealing surfaces and components are pre-positioned and secured in the correct configuration during manufacturing, allowing for rapid installation through a simple insertion and expansion process without on-site assembly complexities.
3Ease of manufacture
If large slots are cut in the stringer for vent dam installation, then vent dam components can be installed, but structural integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible baffle material is designed to be inserted through a small access slot in the stringer, then expanded to seal against the interior surfaces. This approach provides sufficient installation accessibility through a minimal opening while preserving the structural integrity of the stringer by avoiding large cutouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated baffle assembly is designed to be nested through a small access slot during installation. The compact configuration allows the complete sealing assembly to pass through the limited opening space, and once positioned, it expands to fill the available volume and create effective sealing without requiring large permanent openings in the structure.
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 maintains structural integrity while efficiently preventing fluid communication between sections of the stringer, offering a quicker and less invasive installation process compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a sealant coupled between an integrated pair of baffles such that a combination of the sealant and the integrated pair of baffles prevents fluid communication between the first section and the second section of the vent stringer
Implementation Method 2
baffles are inserted through a smaller slot and expand to form seals within the stringer
Data Source
AI summary
Examples for low impact hat stringer fluid dams are presented herein. An aircraft structure may include a wing with a vent stringer coupled to the wing. The vent stringer may include a center portion positioned between a first section and a second section. The center portion of the vent stringer includes a slot. A vent dam may be coupled within the vent stringer proximate the slot in the center portion. The vent dam can include a sealant coupled between an integrated pair of baffles such that a combination of the sealant and the integrated pair of baffles prevents fluid communication between the first section and the second section of the vent stringer.