Additive Linear Seal Structure for Aircraft Panel Gap Acoustics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft structural components often have mismatched gaps, leading to inferior acoustic dampening properties, with current insulation methods like tapes and foams being ineffective due to poor sealer properties and varying gap sizes, resulting in noise pollution within the cabin.
Innovation Solution
Additively manufactured linear sealing components with a coreactive mixture of thermoset polymers, formed by layer-by-layer deposition and actinic radiation curing, featuring recesses and volumes that securely fit between panels, enhancing sound dampening performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If manual insulation tapes and foams are inserted into physical gaps, then acoustic dampening is improved, but the effectiveness is insufficient due to poor sealer properties and varying gap sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the sealing material by using a two-part silicone composition that cures in place. The composition transforms from a liquid state (easy to fill varying gaps) to a cured solid state (provides reliable sealing). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing the sealer to adapt to varying gap sizes while maintaining consistent sealing properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a two-part silicone composition as an intermediary substance that mediates between the mismatched structural components. This composition includes a base polymer and a crosslinking agent that react to form a durable seal, bridging the gap between components with poor fit and providing reliable acoustic dampening.
2Manufacturing precision
If structural components are manufactured with high precision, then gap mismatches are reduced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a sealing component that is adaptable rather than rigid. The additively manufactured seal can be digitally designed and physically produced to match specific gap dimensions, allowing the sealing solution to adapt to variations in structural components without requiring high-precision manufacturing of the structural components themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from traditional high-precision mechanical manufacturing to additive manufacturing, which allows for easier customization and adaptation to varying gap sizes. This parameter change in manufacturing methodology reduces the need for high precision in structural components while maintaining effective sealing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additively manufactured sealing components are used, then adaptability to various panel gaps is improved, but manufacturing time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing the two-part silicone composition in appropriate ratios and preparing the additive manufacturing system before production. The digital models of sealing components are prepared in advance, allowing for quick production once manufacturing begins. This reduces the perceived manufacturing time while maintaining adaptability to various gap sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the structural components themselves, creating separate, dedicated sealing elements. This allows the sealing components to be manufactured independently using additive manufacturing techniques, optimizing their adaptability to various gaps without affecting the manufacturing of the main structural components, thereby maintaining overall productivity.
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 effectively reduces noise pollution by providing superior sound dampening performance and adaptability to various panel gaps, improving the acoustic isolation between aircraft compartments.
Implementation Method 1
curing the deposited reactive mixture via an actinic radiation source
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a scaling component comprising: a first recess and a second recess, the first recess and the second recess defining a center line; a first volume on a first side of the center line; a second volume on a second side of the center line; and a third volume between the first recess and the second recess such that the center line runs through the third volume. The first recess is outlined by a first recess opening, a first tip section of the first volume, a second tip section of the second volume, and a first wall of the third volume. The second recess is outlined by a second recess opening, a third tip section of the first volume, a fourth tip section of the second volume, and a second wall of the third volume.