Replaceable Fluid Line Fitting for Damage-Free Generator Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid line termination systems for sealed fluid systems, such as those in aircraft generators, lack effective solutions for secure and replaceable connections that prevent housing damage and rework costs due to manufacturing errors or foreign object debris.
Innovation Solution
A fluid line termination fitting with a distal body portion for insertion into a generator housing, a radial extension for limited insertion, a channel structure with a threaded section and angled sealing face for secure mating with a male connector, and a seal channel for sealing, allowing for a metal-to-metal seal and potential replacement without scrapping the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If conventional fluid line termination systems are used, then the housing is permanently damaged or requires costly rework due to manufacturing errors or foreign object debris, but the fitting cannot be easily replaced without scrapping the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separable components: the housing (with integrated female connector) and the fitting (with male connector). This segmentation allows the fitting to be replaced independently without damaging the housing, resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and housing loss.
2Reliability
If a sealed fluid connection is made between the fitting and housing, then fluid sealing is achieved, but the connection becomes difficult to disconnect and replace
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member (O-ring or similar) is introduced as an intermediary element between the fitting and housing. This seal provides reliable fluid sealing while being easily replaceable, allowing the connection to be disconnected and reconnected without compromising sealing reliability, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and disconnectability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the fitting is designed for secure mating with the housing, then connection stability is improved, but the fitting cannot be easily removed and replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection design allows for dynamic states: securely locked during operation for stability, and easily disassembled for replacement. The female connector and male connector are designed to engage firmly during operation but can be separated without damage, resolving the contradiction between connection stability and replacement ease.
4Reliability
If manufacturing errors or foreign object debris occur during assembly, then the sealed connection is compromised, but the entire housing must be scrapped or reworked
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component compared to the expensive housing. If manufacturing errors or contamination occur, only the inexpensive fitting needs to be replaced rather than scrapping or reworking the entire housing, resolving the contradiction between sealed connection integrity and cost of error correction.
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 provides a secure, replaceable, and cost-effective sealed termination that mitigates housing damage and rework costs by enabling easy replacement of fittings, ensuring reliable fluid connections in high-temperature environments like turbomachines.
Implementation Method 1
The angled sealing face can be configured to flushly mate with a complimentary angled surface on the male fluid connector
Implementation Method 2
The channel structure can include a threaded section in the proximal channel portion and configured to thread to the male fluid connector
Implementation Method 3
The distal body portion can include a seal channel defined therein and configured to receive a sealing member to seal the distal body portion to the tail cone generator housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A fluid line termination fitting for a tail cone generator can include a distal body portion (101) configured to insert into a fluid circuit opening of a tail cone generator housing and a proximal body portion (107) configured to receive a male fluid connector. The fitting can include a radial extension (109) disposed axially between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The radial extension (109) can extend radially outwardly relative to the distal portion and proximal portion to limit insertion of the distal body portion (101) into the opening of the tail cone generator housing. The fitting can include a channel structure defining a flow channel through the distal body portion (101) and the proximal body portion (107). The channel structure can include a proximal channel portion in fluid communication with a proximal opening and a distal channel portion in fluid communication with a distal opening. The fitting can include a threaded section (119) in the proximal channel portion and configured to thread to the male fluid connector and an angled sealing face (121) distal of the threaded section (119) and extending radially inward between the proximal channel portion and the distal channel portion. The angled sealing face (121) can be configured to flushly mate with a complimentary angled surface on the male fluid connector.