Inverted P-Clamp Assembly for Crash-Survivable Fuel Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft fuel line installations face challenges in surviving crash events due to premature failure of frangible connections under normal environmental and operational loads, leading to potential fuel line rupture and fire hazards, which existing technologies fail to adequately address while ensuring compliance with airworthiness standards.
Innovation Solution
A frangible attachment system utilizing a P-clamp configured in an inverted upright position with a connecting section that yields and deforms under predetermined load thresholds, allowing controlled deformation and failure to prevent fuel line impact on surrounding structures, while withstanding static loads during normal flight conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the P-clamp is designed to yield at the connecting section under high impact load, then controlled deformation is achieved, but the connecting section must be weaker than the clamp body and mounting base
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting section is designed with locally different properties compared to the clamp body and mounting base. Specifically, it has reduced thickness and cross-sectional area, creating a localized weakness that concentrates stress during impact events. This local quality change ensures that deformation occurs predictably at the connecting section while the stronger clamp body and mounting base maintain their integrity.
2Strength
If the P-clamp withstood all loads including crash impacts, then structural integrity would be maintained, but fuel line impact on surrounding structures would occur
Solution Approach 1:
The design converts the harmful effect of crash impact forces into a beneficial controlled deformation mechanism. The connecting section is intentionally designed to fail under high impact loads, allowing the P-clamp to release the fuel line in a controlled manner. This prevents the more harmful outcome of the fuel line being crushed by collapsing structure or causing fire, transforming the structural weakness into a safety feature.
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 compliance with airworthiness standards by allowing controlled deformation and release of fuel lines during crash events, preventing impact and potential fires, while maintaining structural integrity under normal operational loads without the need for break-away mechanisms, thus enhancing safety and reducing installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
The P-Clamp yields at the connecting section upon an application of a load force to the clamp body
Implementation Method 2
An elastomeric sheath is disposed about the loop portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A support assembly may include a support structure and a P-clamp attached to the support structure. The P-clamp may include a clamp body defining an opening, a mounting base structured and arranged to engage the support structure, and a connecting section interconnecting the clamp body and the mounting base. The P-clamp may be arranged in an inverted upright position where the mounting base is attached to the support structure underneath the clamp body relative to a direction of gravity. The P-clamp may yield at the connecting section upon an application of a load for to the clamp body that is equal to or greater than a predetermined applied load force threshold. The support assembly may be useful in an aircraft fuel line installation for supporting a fuel line from the support structure.