Seal Assembly with Locking Rings for Aircraft Panel Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft access panels with exposed fastener heads create aerodynamic drag due to air flowing over them, and gaps between panels and the skin further increase drag, necessitating a solution to cover these fasteners and gaps effectively.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly with a seal body and locking rings is used, where the seal body has cavities to capture locking rings that engage with fastener heads, covering both the fasteners and gaps, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fastener heads are exposed on access panels, then structural integrity and ease of maintenance are improved, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
A seal assembly acts as an intermediary component between the access panel and the surrounding structure. The seal assembly includes a seal body with cavities that capture locking rings, which in turn engage with fastener heads. This intermediary structure covers the exposed fastener heads while maintaining access to the panel, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag without compromising maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly employs a flexible seal body that can deform to accommodate the fastener heads and maintain sealing contact. The seal body with its cavity structure provides a streamlined outer surface that reduces aerodynamic drag while the flexible nature allows it to conform to the fastener configuration and maintain structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If gaps exist between access panel and skin, then ease of panel installation is improved, but aerodynamic drag and sealing effectiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The seal body functions as a flexible shell that bridges the gap between the access panel and the surrounding skin. The seal body can deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and installation variations, ensuring continuous contact and sealing while maintaining a smooth aerodynamic surface that reduces drag.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly incorporates dynamic elements including the locking rings that can engage and disengage from the fastener heads, and the seal body that can deform under aerodynamic loading. This dynamic capability allows the seal to maintain effectiveness during installation, operation, and under varying flight conditions.
3Strength
If seal assembly is permanently fixed, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of removal and reinstallation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into distinct components: the seal body, multiple locking rings, and fastener engagement features. This segmentation allows the seal to be installed and removed as a complete unit while maintaining strong attachment during operation. The locking rings can be engaged with fastener heads to provide secure attachment without permanent bonding.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly is designed to be pre-assembled with the locking rings captured within the seal body cavities before installation. This preliminary assembly ensures proper alignment and configuration, allowing for quick installation by simply positioning the pre-assembled unit over the fasteners and engaging the locking rings, while maintaining secure attachment during service.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly includes a seal body having a seal bottom surface and a plurality of seal cavities spaced along a lengthwise direction of the seal body. The seal cavities are each open to the seal bottom surface via a respective cavity opening. The seal assembly further includes a plurality of locking rings configured to be captured respectively within a corresponding plurality of the seal cavities. Each one of the locking rings includes a ring body having a ring inner perimeter that is externally accessible via the cavity opening when the locking ring is captured within one of the seal cavities. The ring inner perimeter is configured to engage a locking ring engagement portion of a fastener head of a seal-engaging fastener installed in a structure.