Adjustable Attachment Device for Aircraft Blankets

The U.S. Navy has experienced numerous technical challenges with the current fastener system for the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft’s insulation blankets. The most common type of attachment device is a bonded-stud, which is permanently attached to the composite airframe structure. These studs are prone to breakage from the stress and shear loads created by blanket attachment and misalignment, as well as, from contact with aircrew members and passengers. For the Phase I research, Prototype Productions, Inc. (PPI) proposes to use advanced engineering design software and a detailed engineering analysis to investigate the feasibility of developing an innovative blanket attachment device. PPI visited Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD, to view the V-22 insulation blanket problem first hand. PPI has researched advanced materials and identified several appropriate candidates for the optimal replacement attachment device. The requirements and performance criteria for a replacement blanket attachment device will be studied, and a design-tradeoff analysis will be performed on PPI’s six preliminary design concepts. Developing a solution within the stated design constraints provides the highest degree of risk. Upon determination of design feasibility, the success of the Phase I efforts will transfer into the development and production of an innovative attachment device.BENEFITS: At the end of Phase I, Prototype Productions, Inc. expects to present an engineered proof-of-concept computer designed model and a physical prototype for an innovative attachment device. Successful integration into the V-22 platform would provide the basis for transition to the remainder of the Navy's aircraft inventory. Following successful transition to the Navy's fleet, the innovative attachment system could be tranferred to the other military services. There also exists a commercial opportunity within the commercial/cargo aviation industry.