Insulating Washer Composite Structure Thermal Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Composite structures in aircraft, especially those exposed to heat, are prone to delamination due to heat transfer through fasteners, which can cause separation between layers, leading to structural integrity issues.
Innovation Solution
An insulating washer and cover system is designed to reduce heat transfer by forming an insulating volume around the fastener, using a composite structure with folded layers and an elastomer layer to prevent heat conduction, and a cover with protective and insulation layers to further isolate the fastener from heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fasteners are used to attach composite structures, then structural assembly is enabled, but heat transfer through fasteners causes delamination
Solution Approach 1:
An insulating washer made of composite material is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal fastener and the composite structure. This washer acts as a thermal barrier that blocks heat transfer from the fastener to the composite structure, preventing delamination while maintaining the structural assembly function.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating washer is constructed from composite materials (such as fiber-reinforced polymers) that possess both mechanical strength for structural support and low thermal conductivity for heat isolation. This composite construction enables the washer to simultaneously provide structural integrity and thermal insulation.
2Reliability
If insulating washer is added to reduce heat transfer, then delamination is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating washer is integrated with the fastener system as a combined assembly, where the washer is positioned to work in conjunction with the fastener rather than as a separate, additional component. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining delamination prevention functionality.
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 system effectively reduces heat conduction to the composite structure, minimizing the likelihood of delamination and maintaining structural integrity under high-temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An insulating washer and cover system is designed to reduce heat transfer by forming an insulating volume around the fastener, using a composite structure with folded layers and an elastomer layer to prevent heat conduction
Data Source
AI summary
A washer comprises a ring and a composite structure attached to the ring. The composite structure has a slotted shape and a hole that is centrally located with respect to an axis passing through the ring.