Elastomeric Turnlock Isolator for Vibration Wear and Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turnlock fasteners cause wear to aircraft cowling panels due to vibration and do not provide a water-tight seal, leading to corrosion and fluid leakage.

Innovation Solution

An elastomeric collar with a hollow cylindrical body and annular flanges made of a durable elastomer, designed to fit around turnlock fasteners, providing a vibration-dampening effect and a water-tight seal by being installed between the fastener and panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If turnlock fasteners are used to secure panels, then quick opening and closing is achieved, but wear to the panel occurs due to vibration and movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequick opening and closingVSAvoidwear to panel

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric collar serves as an intermediary component between the turnlock fastener and the panel. It isolates the fastener from the panel, preventing direct contact and thus eliminating wear to the panel while maintaining the quick-opening functionality of the fastener system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric collar is a relatively simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced if needed. It protects the more expensive panel from wear, making it economically advantageous to replace the collar rather than the panel itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Device complexity

If traditional fastener design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but water-tight seal is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidwater-tight seal

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric collar utilizes the properties of flexible elastomeric material to create a water-tight seal between the fastener and panel. The flexibility of the elastomer allows it to conform to the mating surfaces and prevent fluid leakage, while adding minimal complexity to the overall fastener assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 elastomeric collar reduces wear on panels and prevents fluid leakage, enhancing the durability and service life of aircraft cowling panels while maintaining a secure and watertight seal.

Implementation Method 1

providing a vibration-dampening effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration dampening: Damping

Implementation Method 2

made of an elastomer having a durometer of at least 40 A

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11118616B2Vibration isolator for turnlock fasteners

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 PREVOST CHRISTOPHER

AI summary

Disclosed is a vibration isolator for use with a turnlock fastener. The isolator includes a body portion with a generally cylindrical shape and defining a through opening along a central axis. A flange portion is connected to and extends radially outward from the bottom end portion of the body portion such that the body portion extends upward from the flange portion. In some embodiments the isolator is part of an assembly that also includes an annular body defining a central opening, such as a flat or frustoconical annulus. Components of the vibration isolator can be made of an elastomeric material having a durometer of at least 40 A. A method of installing a turnlock fastener is also disclosed.