Lay-Flat Air Hose Delivery Assembly with End-Secured Liner
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air hose systems for aircraft suffer from air leakage and inefficiency due to their stitched construction, which cannot withstand high pressures and disrupt airflow, especially when used in high-performance aircraft or when aircraft are grounded and require preconditioned air from external sources.
Innovation Solution
A lay-flat air hose assembly featuring a continuous inner liner secured only at the ends, forming a tubular structure that can be collapsed to a flat structure, minimizing friction and turbulence while allowing for easy replacement and reducing air leakage, with an optional insulating layer and secure attachment via double stitching and heat sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional stitched construction is used for air hoses, then the hose can be manufactured with standard sewing techniques, but air leakage occurs and the hose cannot withstand high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical stitching system with a thermal bonding system using heat-sealable thermoplastic materials. The layers are bonded together through heat and pressure rather than mechanical needles and thread, eliminating stitch holes that cause air leakage while maintaining manufacturability through standardized thermal bonding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with multiple thermoplastic layers (including heat-sealable layers) bonded together. This composite structure provides both the airtightness needed for high-pressure applications and the flexibility required for aircraft ground support, while the layered composite can be manufactured using automated lamination and thermal bonding equipment
2Device complexity
If stitched components are used in air conduit construction, then the hose can be assembled from modular parts, but the construction leaks considerably and cannot withstand high pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stitching with thermal bonding using heat-sealable thermoplastic layers. This substitution creates continuous bonded joints that can withstand high pressures (including closed-loop air conditioner control pressures) while maintaining the modular assembly advantage through standardized thermal bonding sections that can be pre-fabricated and connected
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional air hoses are used, then the hose can be constructed with standard materials, but airflow is disrupted and air leakage reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stitching with thermal bonding of thermoplastic layers, creating smooth internal surfaces that do not disrupt airflow. The heat-sealed bonds eliminate the rough, irregular surfaces created by stitches, reducing turbulence and maintaining laminar flow for improved airflow efficiency while still using standard thermoplastic manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible thermoplastic layers with heat-sealable surfaces that can be laminated to create a smooth, continuous internal lining. This thin-film approach provides an aerodynamically smooth surface that minimizes flow disruption while maintaining the flexibility needed for ground support operations
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 enhances airflow efficiency and durability, minimizing air leakage and facilitating easy repair, while maintaining airflow integrity under high pressure conditions, thus effectively addressing the inefficiencies of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
secured to the external conduit only at the ends of the continuous inner liner
Data Source
AI summary
An air hose delivery assembly includes an external conduit. The air hose delivery assembly also includes a continuous inner liner disposed within the external conduit. The continuous inner liner is secured to the external conduit only at the ends of the continuous inner liner to form a tubular structure that is configured to be collapsed to a flat structure.