Removable Aircraft Heat Shield for Fuel Tank Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft fuel tanks require a heat shield that provides both thermal protection and fire resistance while allowing access for maintenance or repair, as existing solutions like ventral fairings do not adequately cover the outer fuselage and restrict access.

Innovation Solution

A heat shield comprising a main part made of thermal and fire-resistant material, with removable secondary parts that can be secured using bolts, allowing for access by separating these parts, and fixed to the aircraft using gluing and additional peripheral fixing elements to maintain protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a ventral fairing is used to protect the fuselage, then thermal protection is improved, but access to the interior is restricted and coverage is incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidaccess to interior

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield is divided into a main part and multiple removable secondary parts. The secondary parts can be detached to provide access to the interior while the main part remains installed for continuous thermal protection. This segmentation allows the shield to switch between protection mode and access mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat shield transitions from a static permanent fairing to a dynamic system where secondary parts can be removably attached and detached. This dynamic configuration enables the shield to adapt between providing complete thermal coverage and allowing maintenance access to the interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a permanent heat shield is installed to provide complete thermal protection, then fire resistance is improved, but maintenance access is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidmaintenance access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The heat shield is segmented into a permanent main part that ensures continuous fire resistance and removable secondary parts that can be detached for maintenance. The main part remains fixed to maintain reliability, while secondary parts provide access when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary parts can be temporarily removed (discarded from the assembly) during maintenance operations and then recovered/reinstalled afterward. This allows maintenance access without permanently compromising the fire resistance provided by the main part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Strength

If through fixing elements are used to attach the heat shield, then structural attachment is improved, but thermal protection is reduced due to heat conduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural attachmentVSAvoidthermal protection

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces through-fixing mechanical attachment (screws, rivets) with a gluing system. The adhesive bonding method provides sufficient structural attachment strength without creating conductive heat paths through the heat shield, thereby maintaining thermal protection integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 heat shield effectively prevents temperatures above 200°C and fire penetration, while enabling occasional access for maintenance or repair without compromising thermal protection.

Implementation Method 1

the main part and the secondary part are made of at least one material ensuring both thermal protection and protection against fire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The heat shield (1) comprises a main part (4) which is configured to be able to be glued

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4186782A1Heat shield comprising a main part and at least one secondary part, in particular for a part of an aircraft

Publication Date: 2023.05.31 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

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Figure 5~6

AI summary

- A heat shield comprising a main part and at least one secondary part, particularly for a part of an aircraft. - The heat shield (1) intended in particular to protect a part (2) of an aircraft, for example at the level of an aircraft fuel tank, comprises a main part (4) bonded to said part (2) and at least one secondary part (5) which is made removably attached to the main part (4), the main part (4) and the secondary part (5) being made of at least one material providing both thermal protection and fire protection, thus making it possible to obtain a particularly effective heat shield (1) which comprises at least one removable secondary part (5) allowing access.