Ventilated Honeycomb Core With Micro-Lattice Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Honeycomb structures in aircraft are prone to moisture ingress due to closed cells, leading to suboptimal performance and processing difficulties in autoclave bonding operations, as they do not permit airflow for venting, cooling, or heating.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a micro-lattice structure with a honeycomb core, where the interface between the two allows airflow, coupled with a ventilation system to circulate air through the aircraft, and the use of adherence structures to enhance bonding while maintaining airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If honeycomb structures are used for high strength to weight ratio, then structural strength is improved, but moisture ingress occurs due to closed cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ventilated honeycomb structure where the closed cells are modified to include ventilation pathways. The honeycomb core maintains its cellular configuration for strength but incorporates open channels that allow air circulation, preventing moisture accumulation while preserving the high strength-to-weight ratio characteristic of honeycomb structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an adhesive layer as an intermediary between the honeycomb core and the outer shell. This adhesive layer contains embedded ventilation channels that serve as a mediator, allowing air flow through the structure to prevent moisture ingress while maintaining the structural integrity provided by the honeycomb configuration.
2Strength
If honeycomb structures are used for structural applications, then structural performance is improved, but processing difficulty increases due to pressure buildup in autoclave bonding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air trapping problem from the honeycomb structure by introducing dedicated ventilation channels. These channels provide pathways for air to escape during autoclave bonding operations, eliminating pressure buildup that would otherwise collapse the honeycomb cells or prevent proper bonding, while the honeycomb structure itself remains intact for structural performance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If closed honeycomb cells are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but airflow capability is lost for venting and cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the honeycomb structure into functional zones: the outer honeycomb cells maintain structural integrity, while embedded ventilation channels provide airflow pathways. This segmentation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve both structural stability and airflow capability for venting, cooling, and heating applications.
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
This configuration addresses moisture issues, improves bonding reliability, and facilitates easier processing by allowing airflow, enhancing the structural performance and manufacturing efficiency of aircraft components.
Implementation Method 1
a ventilation system configured to circulate air through the ventilated aero-structure
Data Source
AI summary
Ventilated aero-structures include a micro-lattice structure operatively coupled to a honeycomb core. The interface between the honeycomb core and the micro-lattice structure is configured to permit air flow to and from the honeycomb core via the micro-lattice structure. Aircraft include a ventilated aero-structure and a ventilation system configured to circulate air through the ventilated aero-structure. Some methods include coupling a micro-lattice structure to a honeycomb core. Some methods include utilizing a ventilated aero-structure to assemble an aircraft.