Ventilation Louver Multi-Plate Design to Delay Fire Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventilation systems in aircraft belly fairings fail to effectively delay fire penetration from external sources into the fuselage while maintaining pressure equalization and heat venting, as they provide direct paths for fire to enter the compartment.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation louver system with a convoluted path structure, comprising multiple plates and vanes made from high-temperature resistant materials, that redirects fire energy through non-parallel directions, creating barriers to slow down fire progression and redirect heat away from the fuselage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a ventilation louver provides a direct path for airflow to equalize pressure, then pressure equalization efficiency is improved, but fire penetration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation louver is segmented into multiple plates (first plate with first opening, second plate with vane, third plate with louvered opening) that divide the direct airflow path into multiple segments. Each plate creates a barrier that fire must overcome, while still allowing air to pass through the openings and gaps between plates for pressure equalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system transitions from a two-dimensional direct opening to a three-dimensional convoluted path through multiple plates and vanes. The air flow must navigate through openings, gaps between plates, and around vanes, creating a multi-layered path that maintains ventilation functionality while adding fire resistance through dimensional complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a ventilation louver structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but fire resistance capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fire resistance capability is achieved through segmentation into multiple simple plates rather than a single complex structure. Each plate can be manufactured independently using standard fabrication processes, and the overall fire resistance emerges from the combination of these simple segmented components.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation louver employs a nested arrangement where the second plate with its vane is positioned between the first and third plates. This nested structure of multiple plates creates a compact assembly that achieves complex fire resistance functionality through a series of simpler nested components.
3Reliability
If a louver design uses multiple plates and vanes to create a tortuous path, then fire progression is delayed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tortuous path for fire delay is created through segmentation into discrete functional plates rather than a single complex curved structure. The first plate, second plate with vane, and third plate are separate segments that collectively create the convoluted flow path, making the system both effective and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire delay mechanism utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of multiple plates and vanes to create a tortuous path. The air and fire must navigate through multiple dimensions - passing through openings, moving between plates, and flowing around vanes - which delays progression while maintaining a relatively simple component design for each element.
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 delays fire penetration by redirecting and dissipating fire energy through a tortuous path, enhancing fire safety by reducing the risk of internal compartment ignition during external fires while maintaining pressure and heat venting functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a second plate defining a vane therein, the vane at least partially covering the first opening and directing the fluid flow along a second direction, non-parallel to the first direction
Implementation Method 2
a third plate defining a louvered opening therein wherein the louvered opening directs fluid flow along a third direction, non-parallel to both the first direction and the second direction
Implementation Method 3
configured to equalize the pressure within the belly fairing with atmospheric pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A ventilation louver (10) includes a first plate (52) defining a first opening (74) therein for permitting fluid flow along a first direction (128), a second plate (54) defining a vane (82) therein, the vane at least partially covering the first opening and directing the fluid flow along a second direction (130), non-parallel to the first direction, and a third plate (56) defining a louvered opening (108) therein wherein the louvered opening directs fluid flow along a third direction (138), non-parallel to both the first direction and the second direction. In a non-limiting example, the ventilation louver may be disposed in a belly fairing of an aircraft.