Metal Fire Seal System for Aircraft Engine Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire seals systems in aircraft rear engine mounts, made from elastomeric materials, suffer from premature wear and deformation due to compression and high temperatures, requiring frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
A metal fire seals system comprising a metal shoe with L-shaped vanes and a flexible bowed tongue, combined with a longilinear seal attached to the thrust reverser cowl, provides enhanced flexibility and temperature resistance, creating a barrier against flame spread and absorbing nacelle movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastomeric materials are used for fire seals, then flexibility and sealing capability are achieved, but premature wear and deformation occur due to compression and high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from elastomeric to metallic, fundamentally altering the seal's properties to resist temperature and compression better. The metal shoe and tongue components are specifically designed to withstand the thermal and mechanical conditions without deforming or wearing prematurely.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire seal system uses a composite construction combining metal components (shoe, tongue, vanes) with elastomeric sealing elements. This composite approach leverages the strength and heat resistance of metal while maintaining the flexibility and sealing capability of elastomeric materials.
2Reliability
If compression is applied to the shoe by the thrust reverser cowl, then sealing pressure is achieved, but deformations of components and premature wear of the shoe occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the shoe from elastomeric to metallic, fundamentally altering its response to compression. The metal shoe maintains its structural integrity under compression from the thrust reverser cowl, preventing deformation and wear while still achieving effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a soft elastomeric shoe that deforms under compression, the patent inverts the approach by using a rigid metal shoe that maintains its shape. The sealing action is achieved through the metal tongue's flexibility rather than the shoe's deformation.
3Reliability
If elastomeric materials are used at high temperatures, then sealing function is maintained, but rapid aging occurs requiring regular replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from elastomeric to metallic for the primary seal components, fundamentally altering the thermal resistance properties. The metal shoe and tongue components are specifically designed to withstand high temperatures without rapid aging, significantly extending service life while maintaining sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire seal system uses a composite construction combining metal components (shoe, tongue, vanes) with elastomeric sealing elements. This composite approach leverages the heat resistance of metal while maintaining the flexibility and sealing capability of elastomeric materials, achieving both thermal durability and effective sealing.
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 metal fire seals system offers improved durability and reduced wear, effectively containing flames and withstanding high temperatures, thus reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible tongue, in bowed shape and which has an upstream end fixed upstream of the fitting and a free downstream end coming to bear against an element of the attachment region
Implementation Method 2
The metal fire seals system offers improved durability and reduced wear, effectively containing flames and withstanding high temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A fire seals system positioned in a corner of a region of attachment between a rear engine mount and a pylon and comprising a metal shoe comprising a fitting comprising two first vanes forming an L fixed in the corner and a lower second vane between the lower edges of the two first vanes and an upper second vane between the upper edges of the two first vanes, and a flexible tongue having a fixed upstream end and a free downstream end in which an intermediate part of the tongue is arranged between the lower second vane and the upper second vane, and a longilinear seal attached to a thrust reverser cowl with one end of the longilinear seal bearing against the tongue. Such a fire seals system makes it possible to limit the spread of flames and to absorb movements of the nacelle.