Interface between fire suppressant conduit and cargo compartment of an aircraft
Apparatus and methods related to fire suppression in cargo compartments of aircraft are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus provides an interface ( 38 ) between a fire suppressant conduit ( 18 ) and a cargo panel ( 28 ) of a cargo compartment ( 12 ) of an aircraft ( 10 ). The apparatus comprises an adaptor ( 40 ) configured to provide the fire suppressant conduit ( 18 ) access to the cargo compartment ( 12 ) through the cargo panel ( 28 ) and a sealing member ( 42 ) configured to provide a seal between the adaptor ( 40 ) and the fire suppressant conduit ( 18 ). The adaptor ( 40 ) comprises an aperture ( 56 ) for receiving the fire suppressant conduit ( 18 ) where the aperture ( 56 ) is sized to permit passage of a nozzle ( 36 ) of the fire suppressant conduit ( 18 ) therethrough. Associated methods ( 600, 700 ) for removing the cargo panel ( 28 ) of the cargo compartment ( 12 ) of the aircraft ( 10 ) without disassembly of the nozzle ( 36 ) of the fire suppressant conduit ( 18 ) are also disclosed.
1. An apparatus for providing an interface between a fire suppressant conduit and a cargo panel of a cargo compartment of an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
an adaptor configured to be releasably secured to the cargo panel and provide the fire suppressant conduit access to the cargo compartment through the cargo panel, the adaptor comprising an aperture for receiving the fire suppressant conduit, the aperture being sized to permit passage of a nozzle of the fire suppressant conduit therethrough;
a platform configured to be secured to and surround the fire suppressant conduit; and
a sealing member configured to provide a seal between the adaptor and the fire suppressant conduit, the sealing member comprising a plate and a compressible member, wherein:
the plate is secured to the platform and is disposed between the compressible member and the platform;
the compressible member has an annular shape having a central axis and is configured to receive the fire suppressant conduit therethrough;
the compressible member has a first axial end along the central axis and a second axial end opposite the first axial end, the first axial end being secured to the plate, the second axial end being flexibly biased against the adaptor and surrounding the aperture in the adaptor;
the compressible member has a C-shaped cross-section in a plane parallel to and passing through the central axis, the C-shaped cross-section being defined between the first and second axial ends of the compressible member; and
the C-shaped cross-section of the compressible member is disposed and compressible between the adaptor and the plate along the central axis of the compressible member and is decompressible by movement of the adaptor away from the platform.
2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is configured to form an annular sealing interface surrounding the aperture of the adaptor.
3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is configured to substantially prevent hazardous quantities of smoke, flames, and fire suppressant from leaving the cargo compartment.
4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein:
the adaptor is configured to extend across an aperture in the cargo panel;
the adaptor comprises a front side for exposure to the cargo compartment and an opposite back side; and
the sealing member is configured to form the seal with the back side of the adaptor.
5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the sealing member is configured to be secured to the fire suppressant conduit.
6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the plate is made of a metallic material.
7. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the compressible member is retained in a folded-over retaining lip of the plate.
8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the platform is configured to be transverse to the fire suppressant conduit.
9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein the plate is configured to surround the fire suppressant conduit.