FIREPROOF BIDIRECTIONAL DECOMPRESSION PANEL

• US 20110139931A1
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BE Intellectual Property, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: BE Intellectual Property, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Krueger, Keith A., Opp, Fred W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,240,604 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/121
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/18 Floors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2001/009 comprising decompression panels or valves for pressure equalisation in fuselages or floors

Abstract

A fireproof, bi-directional decompression panel includes a frame member and a pressure relief panel member that is releasably retained to the frame member to removably cover a decompression vent opening of an aircraft partition, such as a sidewall of an aircraft cargo compartment. During a decompression event, the pressure relief panel member is released bi-directionally in either of two opposing directions from the frame member when a predetermined pressure differential exists across the partition. The decompression panel assembly is fire resistant, and has reduced weight and fewer parts than prior conventional decompression panel assemblies.

Claims

1. A decompression panel assembly configured to be mounted to a partition of an aircraft having a first side, a second side, and a decompression vent opening therein between the first and second sides of the partition, the decompression panel assembly comprising:

a frame member configured to be mounted to a partition of an aircraft, said frame member being dimensioned to cover a decompression vent opening in the partition of an aircraft configured to permit decompression venting in a first direction through said decompression vent opening or a second direction opposing said first direction through said decompression vent opening, the frame member having a body defining a frame opening therethrough, said frame opening aligned with the decompression vent opening in the partition;

a pressure relief panel member; and

means for releasably retaining said pressure relief panel member on said frame member such that the pressure relief panel member is released bi-directionally in either of two opposing directions from said frame member when a predetermined pressure differential exists between the first and second sides of the partition.

2. The decompression panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said body of said frame member includes a first side edge, said first side edge comprising a first radially outer flange extending radially outwardly from the first side edge of the frame member, said first radially outer flange being configured to be mounted to the partition.

3. The decompression panel assembly of claim 2, wherein said body of the frame member includes a second side edge, said second side edge comprising a second radially outer flange spaced apart from the first radially outer flange, said second radially outer flange extending radially outwardly from the second side edge of the frame member.

4. The decompression panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame member is formed of corrosion resistant steel.

5. The decompression panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said pressure relief panel member comprises a flame resistant membrane.

6. The decompression panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said decompression panel assembly is capable of withstanding 1,600°

F. for 5 minutes.

7. The decompression panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said pressure relief panel member comprises a silicone impregnated glass fabric membrane.

8. The decompression panel assembly of claim 1, wherein said means for releasably retaining said pressure relief panel member on said frame member comprises a plurality of spring clips secured to said second radially outer flange and biased to releasably secure the pressure relief panel member to the second radially outer flange.

9. The decompression panel assembly of claim 8, wherein said spring clips are configured to release the pressure relief panel member from said second radially outer flange in either of opposing first and second directions away from said frame member when a differential pressure exists between the first and second sides of the partition that is less than 0.50 psi and greater than about 0.20 psi.

10. The decompression panel assembly of claim 8, wherein said spring clips are formed of corrosion resistant steel.

11. The decompression panel assembly of claim 8, further comprising a retaining ring disposed around a peripheral edge of said pressure relief panel member on one side of said panel member between said plurality of spring clips and said pressure relief panel member.

12. The decompression panel assembly of claim 11, wherein said plurality of spring clips are biased to releasably secure the pressure relief panel member and retaining ring to the second radially outer flange.

13. The decompression panel assembly of claim 11, wherein said retaining ring is formed of corrosion resistant steel.

14. A decompression panel assembly configured to be mounted to a sidewall of a cargo compartment of an aircraft, the sidewall having a first and second sides, and a decompression vent opening therein extending between the first and second sides of the sidewall, the decompression panel assembly comprising:

a frame member configured to be mounted to a sidewall of a cargo compartment of an aircraft, said frame member being dimensioned to cover a decompression vent opening in the sidewall of an aircraft configured to permit decompression venting in a first direction through said decompression vent opening or a second direction opposing said first direction through said decompression vent opening, the frame member having a body defining a frame opening therethrough, said frame opening aligned with the decompression vent opening in the sidewall, said body of said frame member including first and second opposing side edges, said first side edge including a first radially outer flange extending radially outwardly from the first side edge of the frame member, said second side edge including a second radially outer flange spaced apart from the first radially outer flange, said second radially outer flange extending radially outwardly from the second side edge of the frame member, and said first radially outer flange being configured to be mounted to the sidewall;

a pressure relief panel member; and

a plurality of spring clips secured to said second radially outer flange and biased to releasably secure the pressure relief panel member to the second radially outer flange, said pressure relief panel member being releasable bi-directionally from said second radially outer flange in either of two opposing directions from said frame member when a predetermined pressure differential exists between the first and second sides of the sidewall.

15. The decompression panel assembly of claim 14, wherein said spring clips are configured to release the pressure relief panel member from said second radially outer flange in either of opposing first and second directions away from said frame member when a differential pressure exists between the first and second sides of the sidewall that is less than 0.50 psi and greater than about 0.20 psi.

16. The decompression panel assembly of claim 14, further comprising a retaining ring disposed around a peripheral edge of said pressure relief panel member on one side of said panel member between said plurality of spring clips and said pressure relief panel member.

17. The decompression panel assembly of claim 16, wherein said plurality of spring clips are biased to releasably secure the pressure relief panel member and retaining ring to the second radially outer flange.

18. The decompression panel assembly of claim 14, wherein said pressure relief panel member comprises a flame resistant membrane.

19. The decompression panel assembly of claim 14, wherein said pressure relief panel member comprises a silicone impregnated glass fabric membrane.

20. The decompression panel assembly of claim 14, wherein said decompression panel assembly is capable of withstanding 1,600°

F. for 5 minutes.