Heated Adhesive Reticulation Nozzle for Perforated Composite Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying adhesive to perforated panels in composite structures, such as those used in aircraft engines, often result in uneven distribution and blockage of perforations, hindering the structural and acoustic performance of passive acoustic panels.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a nozzle with a heated and pressurized fluid to reticulate adhesive on perforated panels, ensuring even distribution and clearing adhesive from perforations by monitoring temperature and pressure, preventing blockage and ensuring optimal bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive is applied to the surface of a perforated panel, then bonding strength is improved, but the adhesive blocks and clogs the perforations
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is heated to a predetermined temperature before bonding to reduce its viscosity. This preliminary heating action allows the adhesive to flow through the perforations rather than blocking them, while still providing sufficient bonding strength when cured
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature of the adhesive is changed from ambient to a predetermined elevated temperature during application. This parameter change reduces adhesive viscosity, enabling it to pass through perforations while maintaining bonding capability
2Manufacturing precision
If adhesive is applied uniformly across the panel surface, then bonding consistency is improved, but adhesive accumulates in perforation areas causing blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive viscosity is changed by heating it to a predetermined temperature during application. This parameter change allows the adhesive to flow uniformly across the surface while passing through perforations rather than accumulating and blocking them
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high pressure is applied to force adhesive through perforations, then perforation clearing is improved, but adhesive distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive temperature is increased to reduce viscosity, allowing it to flow through perforations under normal pressure conditions. This eliminates the need for high pressure application, maintaining uniform adhesive distribution while clearing perforations
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid delivery system with heated fluid is used to apply the adhesive. The heating system reduces adhesive viscosity, allowing controlled flow through perforations without requiring excessive pressure, thus maintaining distribution uniformity
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 ensures uniform adhesive distribution and maintains the integrity of perforations, enhancing the structural and acoustic performance of composite structures by preventing adhesive blockage and ensuring a strong, lightweight bond.
Implementation Method 1
providing a flow of heated fluid, which may be air, via a nozzle
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle may provide the fluid at a first flow rate so that a first normalized pressure is applied to a group of the plurality of passages
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system for reticulating an adhesive on a workpiece. The workpiece may be perforated with a plurality of passages that extend through a first side to a second side. To reticulate an adhesive on the first side of a workpiece, a flow of heated fluid is provided through a nozzle. The nozzle provides the fluid at a first pressure to a first group of the perforations. Once the temperature at the first side of the workpiece reaches a specified range, the fluid pressure may be increased or otherwise set in order to clear the perforations by forcing the adhesive out of or away from each of the perforations. Temperature of the adhesive, pressure within the nozzle, and/or light passage through the perforations may be monitored for logical control or quality assurance.