Textile Interface Layer for Lightweight Aircraft Deicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pneumatic deicing devices for aircraft are heavy due to thick bonding layers, which hinders weight reduction efforts in aeronautics, impacting fuel savings and operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic deicing device with a lightweight inner interface layer made of a textile material, such as polyamide or polyester, bonded to the aircraft surface using a thin rubber layer and optimized stitching, reducing the overall mass while maintaining reliability and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thick bonding layer is used in the flexible envelope, then the reliability of bonding to the aircraft surface is improved, but the weight of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional thick bonding layer with a thin textile layer that has bonding properties. This textile layer serves as both the bonding interface and a structural component, eliminating the need for separate thick adhesive layers while maintaining reliable attachment to the aircraft surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible envelope is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers including textile layers, intermediate layers, and bonding layers. Each layer contributes specific properties, and their combination achieves both lightweight construction and reliable bonding without requiring excessive thickness in any single layer.
2Reliability
If multiple layers are used in the flexible envelope, then the reliability and functionality are improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into fewer layers. The textile layer simultaneously provides bonding capability, structural support, and flexibility. Intermediate layers combine sealing and reinforcement functions, reducing the total number of separate components needed while maintaining or improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each layer in the flexible envelope is designed to perform multiple functions. For example, the textile layer serves as both bonding interface and structural element, while intermediate layers provide both sealing and mechanical support, thereby reducing overall complexity through multi-functional design.
3Strength
If a thick bonding layer is used, then the strength of connection to the aircraft surface is improved, but the fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using a thin textile layer instead of a thick bonding layer, the overall weight of the deicing device is reduced. This weight reduction directly decreases the fuel consumption of the aircraft while the textile layer maintains adequate connection strength through its bonding properties and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the bonding interface by using materials with high bonding efficiency per unit thickness. The textile layer has optimized bonding characteristics that provide sufficient connection strength with minimal thickness, thereby reducing weight and fuel consumption without sacrificing connection strength.
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 solution achieves significant weight reduction by minimizing the number of layers and optimizing their thickness, facilitating easier production and repeated ice removal without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
an inner interface layer intended to be connected to the outer surface of the aircraft, preferably by gluing
Implementation Method 2
the textile layer of the inner interface layer has an outer surface treated with an adhering solution of the full bath type
Implementation Method 3
at least two outer and inner intermediate layers connected to one another by a network of stitches spaced apart so as to define deicing chambers that can be inflated quickly using injected pressurized air so as to create an expansion of the device causing a mechanical action to break the ice
Implementation Method 4
the inner interface layer includes, on the upper surface of the textile layer, a layer of rubber, preferably elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic deicing device (1) for breaking and removing an ice deposit accumulated on the outer surface (2) of an aircraft, in particular on an airplane wing. The device (1) includes an outer layer (10) intended to withstand the outside environment, an inner interface layer (50) intended to be bonded to the outer surface of the aircraft, and at least two outer (30) and inner (40) intermediate layers connected to one another by a network of stitches (36) spaced apart to define deicing chambers (35) that can be inflated using injected pressurized air so as to create an expansion of the device causing a mechanical action to break the ice. The inner interface layer (50) with the outer surface (2) of the aircraft includes at least one textile layer (54) having an inner surface (55) intended to be in direct contact with an outer surface (2) of the aircraft.