Single-Piece Vent Dam Insertion Through Small Duct Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vent dam systems for aircraft structural ducts are complex due to the need for multi-piece components and fasteners, which increase fabrication complexity and stress on the structural integrity of the stringer, especially when inserting and sealing the dam through apertures to manage fuel and vapor flow.
Innovation Solution
A single piece vent dam insert with offset lateral flanges and a curved wall is designed to be rotated and inserted through an aperture, allowing for sealing contact with the duct's interior surfaces, reducing the need for fasteners and minimizing aperture size to maintain structural strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-piece dams with fasteners are used to seal the stringer at the aperture, then the sealing capability is improved, but the device complexity and fabrication complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (dam pieces and fasteners) into a single integrated one-piece dam structure. This monolithic design eliminates the need for assembly multiple parts and fasteners, thereby reducing fabrication complexity while maintaining the sealing capability through the continuous structure of the single-piece dam.
2Reliability
If multi-piece dams with joining fasteners are used, then the sealing capability is improved, but the parts count and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dam pieces and fasteners into a single integrated component. This one-piece construction eliminates the need for multiple parts and joining fasteners, significantly reducing the parts count while maintaining effective sealing through the continuous, unbroken structure of the monolithic dam.
3Ease of manufacture
If larger apertures are formed in the hat section to facilitate dam insertion, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural strength of the stringer decreases due to stress risers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved insertion path that allows the dam to be rotated and inserted through a minimized aperture at an angle. This curved trajectory enables the dam to navigate through the small aperture without requiring larger openings, thereby maintaining the structural strength of the stringer while facilitating ease of manufacture and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the insertion process from a straight linear path to a rotated angular insertion through a minimized aperture. By changing the insertion dimension from direct perpendicular insertion to angled rotation, the dam can be installed through a smaller aperture without compromising structural strength.
4Strength
If the dam is inserted through a minimized aperture, then the structural strength is maintained, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the insertion process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The one-piece dam structure is designed to self-align and self-guide through the minimized aperture during insertion. The continuous monolithic structure provides inherent alignment features that guide the dam into the correct position without requiring complex external monitoring or measurement systems, thereby maintaining structural strength while simplifying the insertion process.
Data Source
AI summary
A dam for use with a duct having a longitudinal axis. The dam employs a single piece insert having a first lateral flange and a second lateral flange configured to engage opposing interior lateral surfaces of the duct. The insert engages the duct in sealing contact in a seated position. The first and second lateral flanges are offset longitudinally along the longitudinal axis and joined with a curved wall having a curvature shaped to be received, with the insert oriented at an insert angle about a normal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, in an aperture in the duct.