Spring Retainer Seal for Aviation Fire Zones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire seals in aviation face challenges in maintaining sealing capability under high pressure and exposure to direct flames, particularly larger seals which require increased force and are prone to instability, making it difficult to maintain a fire-resistant barrier.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a bulb seal integrated with an elastomer backing and a metal feathered spring retainer that biases the seal, accommodating deflections and shielding it from fire and high-pressure zones, while minimizing closing forces and maintaining compression within a predetermined range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the size (diameter) of a seal increases to cover larger fire zones, then the sealing area is improved, but the force required to compress the seal increases and stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple segments or fingers that can independently deflect and compress. This segmentation allows each segment to handle a portion of the total sealing requirement, reducing the force needed per segment while maintaining overall sealing effectiveness across large areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal design incorporates dynamic elements that allow the seal to adapt its compression force based on local conditions. The seal can deflect and redistribute forces dynamically, ensuring stable performance across varying sizes without requiring proportionally increasing compression force.
2Area of stationary object
If the size (diameter) of a seal increases to cover larger fire zones, then the sealing area is improved, but the stability of the seal deteriorates due to increased risk of folding over
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the seal into multiple stable segments, each segment maintains structural integrity independently. This prevents the entire large seal from folding over, as each smaller segment remains stable even when the overall seal spans large areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal utilizes flexible shell structures that can bend and conform to irregular surfaces while maintaining stability. This flexibility allows the seal to cover large areas without rigid structures that would be prone to folding, enabling stable performance across varying sizes.
3Reliability
If the compression force on the seal is increased to maintain sealing capability under high pressure, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the risk of seal failure under direct flame and high pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal design incorporates cushioning elements and stress-distributing features that protect the seal from concentrated forces. This beforehand cushioning allows the seal to withstand high pressure and thermal exposure without requiring excessive compression force, reducing the risk of failure under extreme conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal utilizes composite material structures combining materials with different properties (e.g., fire-resistant materials, flexible materials, heat-resistant materials). This composite construction maintains sealing capability under high pressure and temperature while protecting against fire and pressure damage without requiring increased compression force.
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 system effectively isolates fire and high-pressure zones from non-fire and low-pressure zones, reducing the risk of seal failure and maintaining sealing capability under challenging conditions without increasing the applied force or seal size.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible spring retainer coupled to the seal that is configured to bias the seal
Implementation Method 2
the spring retainer is configured to substantially shield the seal from the at least one of the fire zone and the high-pressure zone
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a system for isolating at least one of a fire zone and a high-pressure zone from at least one of a non-fire zone and a low-pressure zone, comprising a seal and a flexible spring retainer coupled to the seal that is configured to bias the seal. The biasing may be based in terms of a compression of the seal within a predetermined range of compression. A shielding of the seal from the at least one of the fire zone and the high-pressure zone may be provided.