Rolling Door Seal (RDS) for the DDG Helo Bay Door

HMC has chosen to employ a two-stage approach to Rolling Door Seal (RDS) research and development. The first stage will involve researching and identifying composite/hybrid elastomeric compounds that can be engineered for long-term stability in the harsh mechanical and corrosive environment in which DDG ships operates. During this work HMC will identify promising RDS elastomer additives such as Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes, Nano Carbon Black, Carbon Fiber, Nano Silica, Graphene, and polymer fibers such as aramids, which when coaxed within an elastomer substrate, will greatly improve RDS mechanical strength, abrasion and corrosion resistance. HMC’s RDS Mechanical Design work will focus on improving the functionality and longevity of the helo-bay door seal through the redesign and optimization of RDS geometry. HMC will conduct dynamic analysis of the DDG helo-bay door seal to delineate the magnitude of tensile, compression, and frictional shear stresses that will be exerted on the RDS as the helo-bay door is opened and closed. HMC will use the results of this analysis to prepare promising RDS mechanical designs capable of reducing the magnitude of those stresses during RDS contact and movement across the abrasive helo-bay deck and drainage grate surfaces.