Modular Reconfigurable Isolation Structure for Aircraft Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

The repair and maintenance of modern aircraft, particularly military aircraft, face challenges due to the complexity of composite materials, requiring controlled environments that are difficult to achieve in field conditions, leading to increased downtime and costs due to the need for custom Environment Control Units (ECUs) and restrictive access.

Innovation Solution

A modular, reconfigurable environment isolation structure comprising a frame with multidirectional node connectors and telescoping poles, allowing for customizable and adjustable enclosures that can be easily assembled and disassembled, providing a lightweight, self-supporting barrier to protect repair sites from environmental contaminants while enabling access for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If custom Environment Control Units (ECUs) and enclosures are fabricated for field repairs, then controlled atmospheric conditions can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled atmospheric conditionsVSAvoidcustom ECU and enclosure fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation structure is divided into modular components including frame segments, panel sections, and connector units that can be independently assembled and configured for different repair scenarios, eliminating the need for custom fabrication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized frame and panel components are designed to serve multiple functions across different aircraft types and repair locations, providing universal applicability that replaces specialized custom ECUs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If custom enclosures are fabricated for each repair site, then environmental control is achieved, but loss of time due to fabrication and setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental controlVSAvoidfabrication and setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The frame and panel components are pre-manufactured with standardized connection interfaces and can be rapidly assembled on-site using simple connector mechanisms, significantly reducing setup time compared to custom fabrication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The structure incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow rapid adaptation to different repair site geometries and environmental conditions without requiring time-consuming custom fabrication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If lightweight materials are used for portable isolation structures, then ease of transport and assembly improves, but structural strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportability and assembly easeVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure utilizes composite material construction that maintains high strength-to-weight ratio, providing both portability for easy transport and structural integrity for environmental control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The modular panel and frame design with standardized connectors enables lightweight construction while maintaining overall structural strength through distributed load paths across multiple components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If fixed-configuration enclosures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different aircraft surfaces and repair locations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandardized productionVSAvoidcustomization for different sites

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is segmented into standardized modular components that can be assembled in various configurations to adapt to different aircraft surfaces and repair locations while maintaining simple standardized manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The structure incorporates adjustable elements and reconfigurable connections that allow the same standardized components to adapt dynamically to different geometric requirements without custom manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11530549B1Modular, reconfigurable environment isolation structures and related methods

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 CORNERSTONE RESEARCH GROUP INC

AI summary

Environment isolation structures may include a frame and flexible panels at least partially covering, and attached to, the frame. The frame may include multidirectional node connectors including multiple locations for attachment. At least some of the locations for attachment may be located on different sides of the multidirectional node connectors. Poles configured to telescope to selectively fixable lengths may include connectors affixed to longitudinal ends of the poles. Each connector may be configured to selectively attach to a respective location for attachment on a given side of a respective multidirectional node connector to form the frame.