Integrated Drain Mast Structure for Aircraft Fluid Leak Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft drain mast structures are cumbersome, requiring numerous individual components, are heavy, and time-consuming to assemble and install, with difficulties in identifying the source of fluid leaks due to multiple outlets and lack of integration in prior art designs.
Innovation Solution
A self-supporting, aerodynamically designed drain mast structure with a single integral tube section and fairing, featuring shared fluid passages and outlets, additively manufactured for reduced weight and enhanced structural resistance, allowing for easier installation and improved leak detection through staggered outlet positioning and fluid ridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple individual drain lines are routed from engine components to a central location using brackets and fasteners, then fluid drainage functionality is achieved, but the structure becomes heavy and complex with numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual drain lines into a single integrated drain mast structure. The drain mast includes a plurality of drain passages formed within a single structural component, eliminating the need for multiple separate drain lines, brackets, and fasteners. This merging reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the fluid drainage functionality from multiple engine components.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain mast structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support within the engine cowling, routes multiple fluid drain lines through its internal passages, and positions drain outlets at specific locations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate support structures and individual drain line routing, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple individual drain lines with brackets and fasteners are used to secure drain lines to the support structure, then the drain lines are secured against movement and fatigue, but the assembly time and installation time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The drain mast is designed as a single integrated component that combines the support structure and drain line routing into one piece. This eliminates the need to separately install multiple brackets and fasteners to secure individual drain lines, as the integrated structure provides inherent structural support and routing capability, significantly reducing assembly and installation time.
3Reliability
If multiple drain outlets are provided in the fairing structure, then fluid drainage from multiple components is enabled, but it becomes difficult to identify which outlet is leaking during visual inspections
Solution Approach 1:
The drain outlets are positioned at distinct, staggered locations on the fairing structure, with each outlet associated with a specific drain passage and engine component. This spatial differentiation and localized positioning of each outlet allows visual inspection personnel to easily identify which specific outlet is leaking by observing the location and trajectory of the fluid, thereby improving detectability while maintaining multi-component drainage capability.
4Strength
If traditional drain line assemblies with multiple components are used, then adequate structural support is provided, but the collective weight of all components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drain mast is designed as a single integrated component that combines the support structure and drain line routing into one piece. This eliminates the need for separate brackets, fasteners, and individual drain line assemblies, significantly reducing the total weight of the drain system while maintaining adequate structural support capability through the optimized integrated design.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
An integrated drain mast structure for use in draining fluids emanating from aircraft components, such as turbine engines and fuselages, for facilitating the detection of fluids leaking from said components. A self-supporting tube section including a plurality of generally aligned fluid passages each having a peripheral wall, at least a portion of which is common with at least a portion of another aligned adjacent fluid passage is connected to one or more of these aircraft components. An aerodynamic fairing includes a plurality of fairing fluid passages each connected to a respective fluid passage of the tube section and having respective fluid outlets. The tube section and fairing section can comprise a single integral structure.