Aircraft Wing Fuel Tank Closure Device for Stringer Penetration Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The geometric complexity of aircraft wing structural components makes it difficult to achieve effective sealing of fuel tanks, often requiring excessive sealant to prevent leakage.
Innovation Solution
The use of closure devices with a forward face plate and a rearwardly projecting attachment arm to cover stringer penetration spaces, allowing for minimal sealant application and secure fixation, thereby reducing fuel leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing techniques are used for wing internal fuel tanks, then sealing coverage can be achieved, but excessive sealant is required and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A closure device acts as an intermediary component between the stringer and the fuel tank sealing interface. This device includes a face plate that covers the stringer penetration space and provides a standardized sealing surface, eliminating the need to seal complex geometric irregularities directly. The closure device translates the irregular stringer penetration geometry into a regular, sealable interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the sealing interface by introducing a closure device with a face plate that has controlled, standardized dimensions and geometry. This transforms the sealing problem from dealing with variable, complex stringer penetration geometries to sealing a consistent, predictable interface, thereby reducing sealant requirements.
2Reliability
If conventional sealing techniques are used for wing internal fuel tanks, then sealing can be attempted, but manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device serves as a mediator that simplifies the sealing structure by replacing complex direct sealing between stringers and ribs with a standardized interface. The face plate of the closure device provides a uniform sealing surface that is easier to manufacture and seal compared to the original complex geometric interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing problem is segmented into two separate functions: structural support (provided by the closure device attachment to the stringer) and sealing (provided by the face plate interface). This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If closure devices with face plates are used to cover stringer penetration spaces, then sealant quantity is reduced, but additional structural components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device merges multiple functions into a single component: structural attachment to the stringer via the attachment arm, positioning within the stringer penetration space, and providing the sealing surface via the face plate. This integration reduces the need for separate sealing components and minimizes sealant requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure device is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides structural support, geometric adaptation, and sealing functionality. The attachment arm provides structural connection, while the face plate provides both geometric adaptation and sealing, eliminating the need for separate sealing components.
Data Source
AI summary
Closure devices and methods are provided for closing a stringer penetration space defined between a stringer and a wing rib of an aircraft wing section. According to certain embodiments, the closure devices will integrally include a forward face plate positioned in covering relationship to at least a portion of the stringer penetration space, and a rearwardly projecting attachment arm rigidly adapted for rigid attachment to the stringer so as to positionally fix the forward face plate relative to the stringer penetration space.