Heated panels with balistic structures

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heated panels in aircraft lack robustness and efficiency in providing both freezing protection and ballistic protection, as they often require additional non-structural mats that reduce heat transfer efficiency and increase power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A heater panel design featuring a face layer bonded to a dielectric layer with a heater layer in between, and a ballistic structure bonded to the other dielectric layer, using materials like ceramic, Kevlar, steel, or polyethylene for ballistic resistance and etched conductors or PTC materials for heating, which can be assembled as a load-bearing structural element in aircraft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional heated panels use additional non-structural ballistic mats, then ballistic protection is provided, but heat transfer efficiency decreases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballistic protectionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ballistic protection function and heating function into a single integrated panel structure. The ballistic structure serves as both the protective outer layer and the structural framework for the heating elements, eliminating the need for separate ballistic mats. This integration improves heat transfer efficiency by removing thermal barriers while maintaining ballistic protection capabilities against 5.56mm bullet impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The panel structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: the ballistic structure provides both mechanical protection against ballistics and serves as the structural support for the heating elements. The integrated design means the same components provide both safety and thermal functionality, reducing overall system complexity and improving thermal efficiency by eliminating intermediate thermal barriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional heated panels use additional non-structural ballistic mats, then ballistic protection is provided, but heat transfer efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballistic protectionVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ballistic protection function and heating function into a single integrated panel structure. The ballistic structure serves as both the protective outer layer and the structural framework for the heating elements, eliminating the need for separate ballistic mats. This integration improves heat transfer efficiency by removing thermal barriers while maintaining ballistic protection capabilities against 5.56mm bullet impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If heated panels are designed as load-bearing structural elements, then structural robustness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural robustnessVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The panel structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: the ballistic structure provides both mechanical protection against ballistics and serves as the structural support for the heating elements. The integrated design means the same components provide both safety and thermal functionality, reducing overall system complexity and improving thermal efficiency by eliminating intermediate thermal barriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The panel is divided into distinct functional layers including the ballistic structure, heating elements, and insulation layers, which can be manufactured and assembled separately. This segmentation allows for specialized manufacturing of each component while maintaining the overall structural integrity and load-bearing capabilities when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides improved heat transfer, reduced power requirements, enhanced impact resistance, and integrated ballistic protection, making it more robust and thermally efficient compared to traditional designs.

Implementation Method 1

A heater/dielectric layer includes a heater layer between a pair of dielectric layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

A heater/dielectric layer includes a heater layer between a pair of dielectric layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3613668B1Heated panels with balistic structures

Publication Date: 2024.10.02 GOODRICH CORP

Figure 1~2

AI summary

A heater panel (100) includes a face layer (102). A heater/dielectric layer (104) includes a heater layer between a pair of dielectric layers (108,110). The face layer (102) is bonded to a first one of the dielectric layers (108). A ballistic structure (114) is bonded to a second one of the dielectric layers (110). The face layer (102) can be bonded directly to the first one of the dielectric layers (108) with a film adhesive. The ballistic structure (114) can be bonded directly to the second one of the dielectric layers (110) with a film adhesive. The ballistic structure (114) can be configured to withstand at least a 5.56 mm bullet impact.