Systems and methods for duct protection of a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9631765-B2
Application number	US-201313961162-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 7, 2013
Priority date	Aug 7, 2013
Publication date	Apr 25, 2017
Grant date	Apr 25, 2017

Abstract

Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for directing flow discharged from a facture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer, an air containment layer substantially surrounding the ballistic containment layer, and a vent defined in the ballistic containment layer and the air containment layer. The vent is configured to direct a flow discharged from the duct fracture.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for directing flow discharged from a facture in a duct, said apparatus comprising:
a ballistic containment layer extending along an outer surface of the duct, said ballistic containment layer surrounding the outer surface of the duct such that a cavity is defined therebetween;
an air containment layer substantially surrounding said ballistic containment layer and extending along said ballistic containment layer;
a plurality of vents formed by respective aligned openings in said ballistic containment layer and said air containment layer, wherein a flow channel is defined by said cavity and said respective aligned openings, said plurality of vents configured to direct a flow discharged from the duct fracture and channeled towards said plurality of vents along said flow channel; and
a plurality of vent covers pivotally coupled to said air containment layer, wherein each vent cover of said plurality of vent covers is configured to releasably cover an associated vent of said plurality of vents.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulation layer configured to contact the duct.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said insulation layer is integrated within said ballistic containment layer.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one anti-rotation feature configured to retain a tab therein coupled to the duct.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a self-supporting fastener coupled to said air containment layer.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said ballistic layer comprises at least one of a ceramic fiber, a para-aramid fiber, and a carbon fiber.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensor positioned adjacent to said vent.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein said vent is configured to direct flow discharged from the duct fracture towards said sensor.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a vent closure releasably coupled to said air containment layer.

10. A duct protection system for a vehicle for directing flow discharged from a facture in a duct, said system comprising:
a duct configured to channel flow through the vehicle; and
a duct burst apparatus comprising:
a ballistic containment layer extending along an outer surface of the duct, said ballistic containment layer surrounding the outer surface of the duct such that a cavity is defined therebetween, wherein said ballistic containment layer includes a first opening;
an air containment layer substantially surrounding said ballistic containment layer, wherein said air containment layer includes a second opening configured to be aligned with said first opening;
a vent defined through said ballistic containment layer and said air containment layer by aligned said first opening and said second opening, wherein said first and said second openings extend only partially about a circumference of said ballistic containment layer and said air containment layer, wherein a flow channel is defined by said cavity and said vent, said vent configured to direct a flow discharged from the duct fracture and channeled towards said vent along said flow channel; and
a vent cover pivotally coupled to said air containment layer.

11. The duct protection system according to claim 10 , wherein said duct is positioned adjacent to a fuel tank.

12. The duct protection system according to claim 10 , wherein said duct burst apparatus further comprises an insulation layer configured to contact said duct.

13. The duct protection system according to claim 12 , wherein said insulation layer is integrated with at least one of said ballistic containment layer and said air containment layer.

14. The duct protection system according to claim 10 , wherein said ballistic containment layer includes at least one of a ceramic fiber, a para-aramid fiber, and a carbon fiber.

15. The duct protection system according to claim 10 , wherein said duct burst apparatus further comprises a sensor positioned adjacent to said vent.

16. The duct protection system according to claim 15 , wherein said sensor is at least one of a thermal sensor, a chemical sensor, a flow sensor, and a strain gauge.

17. A method of fabricating an apparatus for directing flow discharged from a facture in a duct, said method comprising:
forming a ballistic containment layer configured to extend along at least a portion of an outer surface of the duct, the ballistic containment layer surrounding the outer surface of the duct such that a cavity is defined therebetween;
forming an air containment layer that substantially surrounds the ballistic containment layer and configured to extend along the ballistic containment layer;
forming aligned openings in the ballistic containment layer and the air containment layer to define a vent extending therethrough, wherein the openings extend only partially about a circumference of the ballistic containment layer and the air containment layer, wherein a flow channel is defined by the cavity and the vent, the vent configured to direct a flow discharged from the duct fracture and channeled towards the vent along the flow channel; and
pivotally coupling a vent cover to the air containment layer.

18. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising forming an insulation layer that is configured to contact the duct.

19. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising forming an anti-rotation feature that is configured to retain a tab coupled therein to the duct.

20. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising coupling a self-supporting fastener to the air containment layer.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Gonzales Michael D
• Strasik Michael
• Hull John R

Classifications

• F16L55/00 Primary

  Devices or appurtenances for use in, or in connection with, pipes or pipe systems (F16L1/00 - F16L53/00, F16L57/00, F16L59/00 take precedence; repairing or joining pipes on or under water F16L1/26; cleaning of pipes B08B9/02, e.g. removal of blockages B08B9/027; devices for preventing bursting of water pipes by freezing E03B7/10) · CPC title

• F16L57/00 Primary

  Protection of pipes or objects of similar shape against external or internal damage or wear ({protection under water F16L1/123;} supporting of pipes inside other pipes or sleeves F16L7/00; used in connection with end fittings of hoses F16L35/00; protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation F16L58/00; protection thereof during transport B65D59/00) · CPC title

• Y10T137/0441

  Repairing, securing, replacing, or servicing pipe joint, valve, or tank · CPC title

• F16L2201/30

  Detecting leaks · CPC title

• Y10T137/5762

  With leakage or drip collecting · CPC title