SEAL DESIGN FOR VEHICLE AND STRUCTURE APPLICATION

• US 20150266561A1
• Filed: 03/18/2014
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Hariram, Sham S., Philipp, Paul B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,517,830 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/24 having tubular parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/38 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/066 Interior liners
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1407 Doors; surrounding frames
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/16 Sealing arrangements on wings or parts co-operating with the wings specially adapted for fireproof or similar closures E06B5/164; E06B7/098 takes precedence ; fixed sealing joints E04B1/68; devices for fitting sealing strips E04F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/104 characterised by structure
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 15/121 with metal reinforcement

Abstract

Provided is a captured seal assembly that can be positioned between a first surface and a second surface of a structure or vehicle, such as an aircraft. The captured seal assembly includes a geometric-shaped seal such as a bulb-shaped seal that can be secured to an outer perimeter of the first surface and a receiving land capture that can be secured to an outer perimeter of the second surface. The geometric-shaped seal is designed to engage with the receiving land capture, and join the first surface and second surface when the geometric-shaped seal is engaged with the receiving land capture. In addition, the seal assembly can maintain a differential in pressure between a first region adjacent to the first surface and a second region adjacent to the second surface.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a captured seal assembly for interposition between a first surface and a second surface, the captured seal assembly comprising;

a geometric-shaped seal secured to an outer perimeter of the first surface;

a receiving land capture secured to an outer perimeter of the second surface, wherein the geometric-shaped seal is configured to engage with the receiving land capture, wherein the captured seal assembly joins the first surface and second surface when the geometric-shaped seal is engaged with the receiving land capture, and wherein the captured seal assembly maintains a differential in pressure across the captured seal assembly when the geometric-shaped seal is engaged with the receiving land capture.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first surface is a first aircraft surface and the second surface is a second aircraft surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first aircraft surface is a door, and wherein the second aircraft surface is formed by an opening configured for engaging with the door.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving land capture engages two sides of the geometric-shaped seal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving land capture engages a first side of the geometric-shaped seal while a second side of the geometric-shaped seal does not engage the receiving land capture, and wherein the first side of the geometric-shaped seal is opposite to the second side of the geometric-shaped seal.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the geometric-shaped seal includes a magnetic material that magnetically attracts the receiving land capture.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the geometric-shaped seal includes a reinforcement layer made of one of ceramic fiber, glass fiber, metal, magnetic material, or non-metallic material, wherein the geometric-shaped seal is a bulb-shaped seal.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the geometric-shaped seal includes a stiffening material that forms an outside surface of the geometric-shaped seal.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the geometric-shaped seal includes a stiffening material that is embedded in the geometric-shaped seal.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving land capture is made of one of a ferritic material, stainless steel, aluminum, magnetic material, or non-metallic material.

11. A captured seal assembly comprising:

a geometric-shaped seal configured to be secured to an outer perimeter of a first surface; and

a receiving land capture configured to be secured to an outer perimeter of a second surface, wherein the geometric-shaped seal engages with the receiving land capture, wherein the first surface and second surface are joined when the geometric-shaped seal is engaged with the receiving land capture, and wherein engagement of the geometric-shaped seal with the receiving land capture maintains a differential in pressure across the captured seal assembly.

12. The captured seal assembly of claim 11, wherein the first surface is a first aircraft surface and the second surface is a second aircraft surface.

13. The captured seal assembly of claim 11, wherein the receiving land capture engages two sides of the geometric-shaped seal.

14. The captured seal assembly of claim 11, wherein the receiving land capture engages one side of the geometric-shaped seal, wherein the geometric-shaped seal is a bulb-shaped seal.

15. The captured seal assembly of claim 11, wherein the geometric-shaped seal includes a magnetic material that magnetically attracts the receiving land capture.

16. The captured seal assembly of claim 11, wherein the geometric-shaped seal includes a reinforcement layer made of one of ceramic fiber, glass fiber, metal, or non-metallic material.

17. The captured seal assembly of claim 11, wherein the geometric-shaped seal can be disengaged from the receiving land capture by applying a force normal to the first surface.

18. A method comprising:

securing a geometric-shaped seal to an outer perimeter of a first surface of an aircraft;

placing a receiving land capture on a corresponding outer perimeter of a second surface of an aircraft;

engaging the geometric-shaped seal with the receiving land capture to secure the first surface to the second surface, wherein engaging the geometric-shaped seal with the receiving land capture maintains a pressure differential across an assembly comprising the geometric-shaped seal engaged with the receiving land capture.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second surface includes an opening, and wherein the first surface is configured to cover the opening.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the geometric-shaped seal is a bulb-shaped seal.