Shrouded Pipe Assembly Method for Aircraft Fuel Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing shrouded pipes in aircraft fuel lines require complex assembly processes, particularly due to the difficulty in welding inner conduits to support members and end fittings while the outer conduit is in situ, resulting in poor visibility and accuracy of weld joints.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the assembly of outer and inner pipe sections after the inner pipe is joined to another member, allowing for easier welding by deforming the outer pipe section to create a C-shaped cross-section and using annular collar parts to maintain spacing and facilitate assembly, enabling close tolerances without complex assembly processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the outer conduit is assembled with the inner conduit before joining to support members and end fittings, then the assembly structure is complete, but the welding process becomes very difficult due to lack of visibility of the joint
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct stages: first joining the inner conduit to support members and end fittings, then separately assembling the outer conduit. This segmentation allows welding operations to be performed on accessible joints before the outer conduit obscures the view, resolving the visibility problem while maintaining structural completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner conduit is preliminarily joined to support members and end fittings before the outer conduit is assembled. This preliminary action ensures that critical welding operations are completed when joints are visible and accessible, eliminating the welding difficulty that would arise if the outer conduit were in place during welding.
2Manufacturing precision
If close manufacturing tolerances are required, then assembly precision must be high, but the assembly process becomes complex or difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The inner conduit assembly is completed preliminarily with precise positioning and welding before the outer conduit is assembled. This preliminary action establishes accurate alignment and tolerances early in the process, when adjustments are easier to make, thereby achieving close manufacturing tolerances without requiring complex assembly procedures.
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
This approach simplifies the assembly process, improves visibility and accuracy of weld seams, and allows for the creation of shrouded pipes with sealed joints that can withstand mechanical loads and resist corrosion, while maintaining separate fluid paths for primary and secondary fluid flows.
Implementation Method 1
Opening the outer pipe section preferably includes elastically deforming the outer pipe section to provide a generally C-shaped cross-section
Implementation Method 2
joining the first and second longitudinal edges together comprises forming a longitudinal weld seam between the first and second longitudinal edges
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a shrouded pipe comprising an inner pipe section for providing a primary fluid path and an outer pipe section for enclosing the inner pipe section to provide a secondary fluid path. The method includes opening the outer pipe section by separating first and second longitudinal edges which split the outer pipe section along a longitudinal line, assembling the outer pipe section with the inner pipe section by passing the inner pipe section between the separated first and second longitudinal edges, and closing the outer pipe section by bringing the first and second longitudinal edges together and joining the first and second longitudinal edges together. An advantage of this method is that close manufacturing tolerances can be achieved without a complex or difficult assembly process.