Segmented Protective Sleeve for Rocket Engine Ducts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Duct elements in high-speed and extreme temperature fluid flow applications, such as rocket engines, face issues with fluid flow constriction and turbulence due to the use of protective sleeves with constrictions, leading to excessive head losses and degradation from vibration stresses.

Innovation Solution

A deformable tubular covering with a protective sleeve comprising multiple segments that engage partially one within another, each with attachment elements on their periphery that cooperate with annular projections, minimizing flow section constriction and enhancing the sleeve's fit to the tubular covering's curvature, reducing turbulence and vibration-induced stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective sleeve with a constriction is used to protect the tubular covering, then the protective sleeve can be fastened in the tubular covering, but the constriction increases head losses and causes turbulence in the fluid flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective sleeve fasteningVSAvoidhead losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sleeve is divided into multiple segments that can be engaged one within another, allowing the sleeve to conform to the tubular covering without requiring a constriction in the flow section. This segmentation enables the protective function while maintaining smooth fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segments of the protective sleeve are engaged partially one within another, creating a nested configuration that allows the sleeve to adapt to the curvature of the tubular covering while maintaining a constant flow section diameter, thereby eliminating turbulence and head losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the protective sleeve is constricted to fit the tubular covering curvature, then the sleeve can protect against turbulence effects, but the constriction increases head losses and causes vibration-induced degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective function against turbulenceVSAvoidvibration-induced degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the protective sleeve into multiple segments that can engage with annular projections, the sleeve can conform to the tubular covering curvature without constriction, thereby eliminating the vibration-induced degradation that results from constricting the flow section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Attachment elements are positioned at specific locations on the segments to engage with annular projections, providing localized support and protection where needed while maintaining the overall smooth flow section of the protective sleeve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If fewer segments are used in the protective sleeve, then the device complexity is reduced, but the flow section constriction and turbulence increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of segmentsVSAvoidhead losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Attachment elements are strategically positioned at specific locations on each segment to engage with annular projections, providing the necessary support and protection while maintaining a smooth flow section. This localized approach allows for effective protection with a reasonable number of segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The nested engagement of segments one within another allows the protective sleeve to conform to curvature with minimal constriction, achieving effective protection and smooth fluid flow with a practical number of segments rather than requiring excessive segmentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS9188259B2Reduced pressure-drop pipe element

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

A duct element configured to be used as a shapeable coupling element in a fluid flow line in any industrial application, for example within a rocket engine. The duct element includes a deformable tubular covering in a form of a bellows including inwardly projecting annular projections; and a protective sleeve including an end segment fastened in the tubular covering and including a free end that projects towards an inside of the tubular covering. The protective sleeve includes a plurality of other segments engaged in part one within another, each of the other segments including at a periphery of an outside surface thereof at least one attachment element fastened to the outside surface and that co-operates with at least one annular projection.