Quick-Connect Firewall Seal for Dynamic Pass-Through Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional firewall seals for turbine engines are complex, heavy, and require significant space due to their stacked design, making assembly challenging and prone to tolerance stack-up, while also being inefficient in sealing dynamic pass-through members.

Innovation Solution

A firewall seal featuring a retainer made of elastomeric material with a spring plate and a spherical bearing that includes an outer and inner retaining member, allowing for quick connection and disconnection, and accommodating both static and dynamic pass-through members through a slit design that facilitates easy assembly and vibration isolation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional stacked sealing disks with plates and brackets are used, then sealing function is achieved, but device complexity and number of parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sealing disks, plates, and brackets into a single integrated retainer component made of elastomeric material. The retainer incorporates the sealing function, structural support, and mounting features in one piece, eliminating the need for separate stacked components while maintaining the sealing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides sealing, structural support, mounting attachment, and vibration isolation. This single component performs multiple functions that previously required separate parts, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional stacked sealing disks are used, then sealing function is achieved, but tolerance stack-up and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidtolerance stack-up

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating multiple sealing functions into a single elastomeric retainer component, the patent eliminates the accumulation of tolerances that occurs when multiple discrete sealing disks are stacked together. The monolithic structure ensures consistent sealing performance without tolerance stack-up.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional bellows with sealing elements are used, then dynamic pass-through members are sealed, but space requirements and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic sealingVSAvoidfirewall seal weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin elastomeric retainer that flexes to seal around dynamic pass-through members. This flexible membrane approach replaces heavy bellows structures while maintaining the ability to seal dynamic components effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric retainer is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing it to dynamically adjust to moving pass-through members. This dynamic flexibility replaces rigid bellows structures with a lighter, more adaptive sealing solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If conventional bellows with sealing elements are used, then dynamic pass-through members are sealed, but assembly challenge increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic sealingVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible elastomeric retainer can be easily stretched and installed over dynamic pass-through members, simplifying assembly compared to rigid bellows structures that require complex alignment and mounting procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 simplifies assembly, reduces weight and space requirements, effectively seals both static and dynamic pass-through members, and isolates vibrations, enhancing the overall sealing efficiency and reliability of the firewall seal.

Implementation Method 1

The retainer is formed of an elastomeric material... isolates vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration isolation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a spring plate embedded within the retainer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11118705B2Quick connect firewall seal for firewall

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed generally to firewall seals for sealing pass-through members extending through a firewall, such as a firewall of a turbine engine. In one example aspect, the firewall seal includes quick-connect features that facilitate more efficient assembly and disassembly of the firewall seal to and from the pass-through member. Particularly, the firewall seal may define a slit extending through at least a portion of the seal that allows for the pass-through member to be slid through the slit and positioned in place. A retainer formed of an elastomeric material may include a metal spring plate that springs the seal back into place after the pass-through member is positioned within the seal. Moreover, a spherical bearing of the firewall seal may include features for receiving a static or dynamic pass-through member therethrough and for allowing the pass-through member to translate and rotate.