Fireproof systems with local heat shields for aircraft engines

• US 8,844,643 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2011
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Mickelsen, Justin C., Baker, Martin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganey, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US13/042,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20120227370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 169/9, 169/11, 169/19, 169/26, 169 45- 49, 169/54, 169/62, 169/65, 169/70, 60/300.91, 60/391.1, 607/79, 607/96, 244/121, 244/129.2, 428/920, 428/921
• US Class Current: 169/62
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 2/065 having as the main closure device materials, whose characteristics undergo an irreversible change under high temperatures, e.g. intumescent
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 3/08 in aircraft A62C3/0207 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/92 Fire or heat protection feature

Abstract

A local fire shield is provided for protecting an attachment point of a fireproof system in an engine during a fire event. The local fire shield includes a mounting plate mounted on the attachment point; and a cover coupled to the mounting plate for covering the attachment point during the fire event.

Claims

1. A local fire shield for protecting an attachment point of a fireproof system in an engine during a fire event, comprising:

a mounting plate mounted on the attachment point; and

a cover coupled to the mounting plate for covering the attachment point during the fire event;

wherein the cover is detachably coupled to the mounting plate, wherein cover includes a first fastener and the cover includes a second fastener, the first fastener cooperating with the second fastener to detachably couple the mounting plate and the cover, and wherein first and second fasteners are snap fasteners.

2. The local fire shield of claim 1, further comprising a fire retardant agent disposed within the cover in an inactive condition and configured to transition into an active condition at a predetermined temperature during the fire event.

3. The local fire shield of claim 2, wherein the fire retardant agent is a solid in the inactive condition and a vapor in the active condition.

4. The local fire shield of claim 2, wherein the fire retardant agent is a solid in the inactive condition and a foam or solid in the active condition.

5. The local fire shield of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a side wall that defines an opening to provide access to the attachment point.

6. A fireproof system for protecting a structure during a fire event, the system comprising:

a fire resistant panel configured to be mounted on a first side of the structure at an attachment point;

a local fire shield comprising

a mounting plate defining an attachment opening and configured to be mounted on a second side of the structure at the attachment point;

a cover coupled to the mounting plate for covering the attachment point;

a fastener extending through the mounting plate at the attachment opening and the fire resistant panel at the attachment point such that the local fire shield and the fire resistant panel are fastened to the structure with the fastener; and

a fire retardant agent disposed within the cover in an inactive condition and configured to transition into an active condition at a predetermined temperature.

7. The fireproof system of claim 6, wherein the cover is integral with the mounting plate.

8. The fireproof system of claim 7, further comprising a first side wall integral with, and between, the cover and the mounting plate.

9. The fireproof system of claim 8, wherein the cover further comprises a first flange forming a second side wall.

10. The fireproof system of claim 9, wherein the cover further comprises a second flange forming a third side wall and a third flange forming a fourth side wall.

11. The fireproof system of claim 7, wherein the cover and the mounting plate define an opening to provide access to the attachment point.

12. The fireproof system of claim 6, wherein the cover is detachably coupled to the mounting plate.

13. The fireproof system of claim 6, wherein the cover is integral with the mounting plate, and the cover and mounting plate form a C-shape in cross section.

14. A fireproof system for protecting a structure during a fire event, the system comprising:

a fire resistant panel configured to be mounted on a first side of the structure at an attachment point;

a local fire shield comprising

a mounting plate defining an attachment opening and configured to be mounted on a second side of the structure at the attachment point; and

a cover coupled to the mounting plate for covering the attachment point; and

a fastener extending through the mounting plate at the attachment opening and the fire resistant panel at the attachment point such that the local fire shield and the fire resistant panel are fastened to the structure with the fastener,

wherein the local fire shield is a first local fire shield and the fastener is a first fastener, the fire resistant panel additionally defining a second attachment point, and the fireproof system further comprising;

a second local fire shield mounted on the fire resistant panel; and

a second fastener configured to couple the second local fire shield to the fire resistant panel at the second attachment point.