Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Structurally defined web or sheet – Including variation in thickness
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-13
2004-10-12
Loney, Donald J. (Department: 1772)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Structurally defined web or sheet
Including variation in thickness
C428S343000, C428S354000, C428S920000, C428S921000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06803090
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to assemblies for the control of fluids in aerospace applications and the like. Assemblies, fluid management systems containing such assemblies and methods using the assemblies for the control of fluids in an aircraft are provided.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The collection of liquid in industrial applications (e.g., spills, condensate, pooled fluids, etc.) can cause problems over a period of time. Liquid management problems lead to corrosion, power supply loss, added weight from retained liquid, loss in efficiency, insufficient energy usage, safety hazards, growth of mold and mildew and the like.
Current methods of liquid control focus on the prevention of liquid buildup on a surface through, for example, the use of absorbent materials, protective films and tapes, and sealants. Some products aid in the removal of liquid from a surface. For example, fluid transport products, such as those available from 3M Company of St. Paul Minn. (“3M”), comprise a polyolefin substrate with a low surface energy adhesive. This tape construction provides rapid fluid removal from surfaces, fluid management for corrosion reduction, and the like.
The transport of liquid across a structured surface may be characterized as “active” or “passive” based upon the mechanism that causes flow of the liquid. Where liquid transport pertains to a non-spontaneous liquid flow regime wherein liquid flows, for the most part, from an external force applied to the structured surface, the liquid transport mechanism is considered “active”. On the other hand, where liquid is transported spontaneously without external force, the liquid transport mechanism is considered “passive”.
Active liquid transport products have been developed based upon specific applications, including absorbent pads or a liquid pervious layer combined with liquid transport devices. For example, mat products including active liquid transport and absorbent pads or liquid pervious layers are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,437,651 to Todd et al. and 5,349,965 to McCarver. In each case, channels are defined on a surface of a substrate to direct liquid flow from substantially all of the area of a liquid pervious layer. These products remove liquid while having the liquid pervious layer act as a liquid adsorbing and storing layer and/or to define a liquid receiving layer. In Todd et al., a flexible backing plate is attached to an absorbent portion and a vacuum source is applied to the backing plate. The backing plate comprises a plurality of channels for suction from the vacuum source across the surface of the absorbent portion. In McCarver, a flexible pad or suction rail having a liquid permeable top surface and a liquid impermeable bottom surface is connected to a vacuum source. The suction draws liquid down into a liquid receiving chamber as it passes through the liquid pervious layer, and draws the accumulated liquid away. The liquid receiving chamber contains separation means dividing the chamber into channels for keeping the chamber from collapsing when the chamber is placed under a negative pressure.
A fluid guide device having an open structure surface for attachment to a fluid transport source is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,243 to Insley et al. This reference discloses an open structured surface that defines plural channels and a slot for permitting fluid communication between a distribution manifold and at least a plurality of the channels. A fluid transport source, such as a vacuum generator, is connected to the distribution manifold.
Examples of flexible fluid transport devices that utilize both active and passive fluid transport are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,520,300 to Flower, 4,747,166 to Kuntz, and 5,628,735 to Skow. Active and passive microstructured films and tapes for liquid acquisition and transport are described in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/778524 now U.S. Pat No. 6,531,206. Examples of other channeled mats for fluid removal are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,533,352 to Van Beek et al. and 4,679,590 to Hergenroeder. Examples of passive fluid transport devices having channeled fluid transport structures are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,120. This reference discloses the use of a liquid management member having a microstructure-bearing hydrophilic surface, preferably in combination with a liquid permeable top sheet, a back sheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the top and back sheets. The liquid management member promotes rapid directional spreading of liquids and is in contact with the absorbent core.
While the art has provided approaches to the transport of fluids, the art has generally failed to address the use of fluid transport products, such as tapes and the like, utilizing properties afforded by specialized backings. In particular, the art has not addressed the use of fluid transport products in applications requiring fire retardant properties, conformability of the fluid transport structure, integration into fuselage assemblies, flooring structures, and the like. The art has also failed to provide fluid transport products with specialized backings that may be firmly secured to a surface but can be removed from the surface without leaving significant adhesive or foam residue on the surface after the product has been removed. The art has also not provided assemblies that will pass more stringent flame retardancy tests related to materials that are incorporated into fuselage assemblies and insulation blankets used in the aerospace business.
It may be advantageous, for example, to provide fluid transport products for use in applications where a fire retardant feature is needed or is required by applicable regulations. For example, fluid transport tapes to be used in electric or electronic applications may be exposed to electrical current or possibly to short circuits. Moreover, heat generated from the use of the associated electronic component or electrical device may further increase the risk of fire. Consequently, industry standards or regulations can require that any such products satisfy qualifying tests such as burn or flammability tests, and the like. For electrical and electronics applications, the industry standard flammability test is Underwriters Laboratories (UL 94 “Standard for Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances”). For rail transit and transportation applications, the industry standard is American Society for Testing and Materials ASTM E662 (“Test Method for Specific Optical Density of Smoke Generated by Solid Materials”) and ASTM E162 (“Test for Surface Flammability of Materials Using a Radiant Energy Source”). For aerospace applications, fluid transport tapes may have applicability to transport moisture away from the inner structures of an aircraft. In such applications, the testing criteria for the Federal Aviation Administration F.A.R. § 25.853 (July 1990) vertical burn test, subparagraph (a)(1)(i), relates to interior compartments occupied by crews or passengers, including interior ceiling panels, interior wall panels, partitions, galley structures, large cabinet walls, structural flooring, and materials used in the construction of stowage compartments. F.A.R. § 25.853 (July 1990) subparagraph (a)(1)(ii) relates to seat cushions, padding, decorative and nondecorative coated fabrics, leather, trays and galley furnishings, electrical conduit, thermal and acoustical insulation and insulation covering air ducting, joint and edge covering and the like. Materials used for these applications must be self-extinguishing when tested vertically in accordance with the procedures of F.A.R. § 25.853 (July 1990) (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii). In addition, another industry standard, for rail transit and aerospace applications, is Boeing Specification Support Standard, BSS 7239 (“Test Method for Toxic Gas Generation by Materials of Combustion”) which requires analysis of combustion gases and has specified concentration limits on toxic gases which include HCN, NO
X
, CO, HCl, HF, and SO
2
.
In areas of an aircraft, moisture problems may
Castiglione Stephanie B.
Johnston Raymond P.
Kobe James J.
Mortenson Sara B.
Narum Timothy N.
3M Innovative Properties Company
Loney Donald J.
Pastirik Daniel R.
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