Titanium Seat Track Weight Reduction via Monolithic Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional aircraft seat tracks are heavy and costly due to thick components needed to withstand stress loads, with machining and composite buildup methods being time-consuming and prone to welding issues.
Innovation Solution
A titanium seat track with a track plate and U-shaped channel made from cold or hot rolled titanium, fabricated through cold forming, machining, and welding, incorporating lip and ridge joints to enhance welding efficiency and reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick components are used in traditional seat tracks to withstand stress loads, then strength and reliability are improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional aluminum or steel to titanium alloy, which has a higher strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the seat track to maintain required strength while reducing component thickness and overall weight. The titanium alloy enables thinner walls and reduced material volume while preserving load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs titanium alloy as a composite material solution that combines the benefits of high strength and low weight. The titanium alloy structure replaces traditional thick-walled aluminum or steel components, achieving weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity under stress loads.
2Weight of moving object
If extruded seat tracks are machined to reduce weight, then weight penalty is overcome, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary forming actions during the extrusion process itself, creating near-net-shape components that require minimal subsequent machining. The extrusion die design incorporates features that pre-form the seat track geometry close to the final shape, reducing the amount of material removal needed and thereby decreasing manufacturing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from heavy machining of extruded parts to a combination of optimized extrusion and minimal finishing operations. By adjusting extrusion parameters and die design, the process produces components with reduced material waste and lower machining requirements, thus reducing manufacturing time while achieving weight reduction.
3Weight of moving object
If composite buildups are used to manufacture seat tracks, then weight penalty is overcome, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple composite components into a single integrated titanium alloy extruded structure. Instead of assembling multiple separate components through welding or other joining methods, the design uses one monolithic titanium component that provides the same weight benefits while eliminating assembly complexity and associated manufacturing issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a single-material (titanium alloy) extruded component instead of multi-material composite buildups. This reversal of the design philosophy achieves weight reduction through material selection and geometric optimization rather than through complex multi-component assembly, thereby reducing device complexity.
4Weight of moving object
If multiple components are assembled in conventional seat tracks, then weight can be managed, but welding issues and scrap material increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components into a single titanium alloy extruded piece, eliminating the need for welding operations. This monolithic structure removes the source of welding defects such as cold fusion and incomplete joints, thereby improving reliability without compromising weight management capabilities.
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 titanium seat track reduces weight while maintaining robustness and stability, improving welding efficiency and avoiding welding issues, thus simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a track plate formed of cold or hot rolled titanium. The titanium U-shaped channel may include a first side wall and a second side wall extending from a base
Implementation Method 2
a track plate formed of cold or hot rolled titanium
Implementation Method 3
The first channel edge and the second channel edge may be continuously welded to the bottom surface of the seat track
Data Source
AI summary
A titanium seat track may include a track plate formed of one of cold and hot rolled titanium. The track plate may include a top surface and a bottom surface. The titanium seat track may also include a titanium U-shaped channel formed of cold worked titanium sheet. The titanium U-shaped channel may include a first side wall and a second side wall extending from a base and terminating in a first channel edge and a second channel edge, respectively. The first channel edge and the second channel edge may be continuously welded to the bottom surface of the seat track.