Self-Sealing Coupling for VTOL Fluidic Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
VTOL aircraft face safety risks during vertical take-off and landing due to the potential spillage of inflammable service fluids from hydraulic tubes, which can cause fires or explosions upon impact.
Innovation Solution
A self-sealing coupling system is integrated into the fluidic line of the aircraft, allowing for controlled flow and immediate disconnection of fluid segments during impact, preventing fluid spillage by moving to a closed configuration as the semi-wing separates along a predetermined rupture section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic tubes are installed in semi-wings for fluid conveyance, then the aircraft can perform vertical take-off and landing operations, but the tubes may break during impact causing fluid spillage and fire hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic tube is divided into two separable segments that can disconnect from each other during impact. The first segment remains with the fuselage while the second segment moves with the semi-wing, preventing fluid spillage by breaking the continuous fluid pathway when the semi-wing separates along the predetermined rupture section.
Solution Approach 2:
A self-sealing coupling system is pre-installed in the hydraulic tube at the breaking area of the semi-wing. This coupling system is designed to automatically disconnect or seal when impact occurs, preventing fluid spillage before the harmful effect can propagate. The coupling mechanism is prepared in advance to respond to impact conditions.
2Strength
If the semi-wing is designed with a predetermined breaking area for controlled separation, then the aircraft structure can protect occupants during impact, but the fluidic line may be damaged causing service fluid spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic line is segmented into multiple sections with self-sealing couplings at the breaking area. When the semi-wing separates along the predetermined rupture section, the fluidic line segments disconnect, preventing fluid spillage while allowing the semi-wing to follow its controlled collapse trajectory for structural protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-sealing coupling acts as an intermediary element between the fuselage and semi-wing fluidic line segments. It enables controlled disconnection when the semi-wing separates, mediating between the structural separation function and the fluid containment requirement, preventing fluid spillage during the controlled collapse process.
3Productivity
If continuous fluid flow is maintained in hydraulic tubes, then the aircraft systems operate normally during flight, but fluid spillage occurs upon impact
Solution Approach 1:
The self-sealing coupling system dynamically transitions from a connected state during normal operation to a disconnected or sealed state upon impact. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain fluid flow continuity during flight while automatically preventing fluid spillage when the semi-wing separates during impact events.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-sealing coupling system responds to impact forces by detecting the separation motion and automatically activating the sealing or disconnection mechanism. This feedback response ensures that fluid flow is maintained during normal operation but automatically stopped when impact conditions are detected, preventing fluid spillage.
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical take-off and/or landing aircraft comprising: a fuselage having a longitudinal axis; a pair of semi-wings protruding from the fuselage in a transversal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis; a pair of a predetermined breaking areas of the semi-wings defining respective preferred rupture sections at which the respective semi-wings are designed to break, during operation, in a controlled way moving along a preferred collapse trajectory in the event of impact; and at least one fluidic line configured to convey at least one service fluid from and/or towards at least one said semi-wing and crossing at least one of said preferred rupture sections; the aircraft comprises a self-sealing coupling movable between a first configuration in which it enables the flow of said service fluid from and/or towards the semi-wing, and a second configuration in which it prevents the above-mentioned flow and the spilling of the service fluid from the fluidic line; the self-sealing coupling is movable from the first to the second configuration via the movement of the semi-wing along the preferred collapse trajectory.