MODULE 11A. 2.

INTRODUCTION
EK 2109
AIRFRAME
STRUCTURES
(GENERAL CONCEPTS)
 Objectives

At the end of this topic ,the student will be able to

Understand the;

METHODS OF DRAINING FLUID FROM THE AIRCRAFT

 AIRFRAME STRUCTURES
COURSE CODE- EK 2109

Drainage
• External and internal holes and drain paths are provided in
aircraft
structures
• Airframe drainage can be divided into two areas:
– External drains.
– Internal drains.
• External drain ports are located on exterior surfaces of the
fuselage, wing and empennage to dump fluid overboard.
• In non-pressurised areas the drain ports are always open, but
in pressurised areas, air leakage has to be considered.
 AIRFRAME STRUCTURES
COURSE CODE- EK 2109

There are basically three types of drain valve used for

this purpose.

The internal structure is provided with tubes, channels,

dams and drain holes to direct the flow of fluid towards
external drain points.
Spillage on the toilet floor is drained via a small diameter
drain line into the toilet waste tank drain line.

 Battery compartment drains.

 AIRFRAME STRUCTURES
COURSE CODE- EK 2109

Battery Compartment Drainage

• Battery compartments are generally enclosed so that they may be

ventilated without introducing corrosive fumes into the aircraft
structure.

• An overboard drainage system is required so that any electrolyte

spillage is safely vented.

• The vent pipes are made of plastic for a lead/acid battery and
stainless steel for an alkaline battery

• The vent pipes protrude from the aircraft skin so that vented material
cannot affect the fuselage skin in flight.
BATTERY COMPARTMENT
 DRAINAGE
• The aircraft structure requires many different types of drain
holes and paths to prevent water and other fluids such as fuel,
hydraulic oil etc., from collecting within the structure.
• These could become both a corrosion and fire hazard.
• The forms of drainage can be divided into two areas.
 External drains
 Internal drains
 EXTERNAL DRAINS
• These ports are located on exterior surfaces of the fuselage, wing
and empennage

• It ensure fluids are dumped overboard.

• In small unpressurised aircraft and unpressurised areas of larger

airliners, these drains may be permanently open.

• However, in pressurised aircraft, the cabin air would leak

uncontrollably through the drains and so it is necessary to use
drain valves to prevent loss of cabin pressure.
 TYPES OF DRAIN VALVES

• There are a number basic types of drain valve used for

this purpose.
• Two similar types rely upon pressurised air in the cabin
to keep the valve closed.
• One valve has a rubber flapper seal and the other a
spring loaded valve seal.
• Normally located on the keel of the fuselage, both are
open when the aircraft is unpressurised on the ground,
allowing the fluids to drain overboard.
• During flight, the increased air pressure in the cabin closes the
valves, thus preventing any pressurisation losses.

• These valves are shown below, where it can also be seen that a
levelling compound has been used in areas which might
become fluid traps.

• This compound is usually a rubberised sealant which fills the

cavity, bringing the level up to the lip of the drain hole.
DRAIN VALVE
 DRAIN VALVE
• Another similar type of drain valve also uses the cabin air
pressure to close off the drain path, this time by moving the
plunger down to seal the drain.
• This valve will also be open when cabin pressure is removed.
• Fluids from some places, such as galleys and wash basins, require
more than simple drain holes.

• The temperature at cruising altitude can fall to

-60°C and water draining overboard could freeze and cause
blockage problems.

• The method used in these cases are drain masts, which are like
small aerofoils projecting from the bottom of the aircraft skin, on
the centre line, through which the water is discharged.

• The drain masts are heated to prevent icing and also discharge the
liquids well away from the aircraft's skin.
 INTERNAL DRAINS
• To enable the external drains to function as designed, means must be
provided within the various locations of the airframe and powerplant
installation, to ensure that all fluids are directed towards the site of
the external drain points.

• This is achieved by using internal drain paths and drain holes.

• The internal structure is provided with tubes, channels, dams and

drain holes, to direct the flow of fluid towards the external drain
points.

• All structural members are designed so that they do not trap fluids by
ensuring, for example, that all lightening holes and ribs face
downwards, allowing fluids to run off them.
 AIRFRAME STRUCTURES
COURSE CODE- EK 2109

VENTILATION
• It is essential that the internal cavities within the structure are
properly vented to prevent the build up of flammable vapour from
the drain lines and to allow any other moisture residue to properly
evaporate.

• Consequently sumps (A sump is a low space that collects any often-

undesirable liquids such as water or chemicals), tanks and cavities
will all be provided with vent pipes and in some cases, such as
engine cowlings, ram air inlets and outlets are utilised to ensure all
zones where fluids are contained are adequately ventilated.
 Ventilation Requirements

• Each passenger and crew compartment must be ventilated.

• The rate of ventilation not less than 10 ft3 per minute per crew member.
• The maximum permitted concentration
– Carbon monoxide not greater than 50 parts per million
(ppm)……………………. (1 part in 20,000).
– Carbon dioxide not greater than 3% by volume.
• Provision for the safe evacuation of smoke from the aircraft cabin during both
pressurised and unpressurised flight.
• The ventilation of the crew compartment must be capable of of being controlled
independently of the other compartment
 Ventilation System

INCLUDES VENTILATION FOR:

• avionics.
• batteries.
• toilets and galleys.
• air conditioning pack bays.
• cargo bays.

AVIONIC EQUIPMENT BAY

An equipment cooling system provides cooling to:
– Electronic equipment in the cockpit
– Electrical and electronic compartment
 AIRFRAME STRUCTURES
COURSE CODE- EK 2109

• The system operates in the air as well as on the ground.

• Electrically driven supply fans and exhaust fans are used.

• During pressurised flight the air is exhausted through an outflow

valve.

Battery Ventilation

• A venturi in the skin of the aircraft can be used to draw air from the
space around the batteries and vent it overboard.

• The airflow produced ventilates the batteries.

 Toilets and Galley Ventilation

Toilets and Galley Ventilation

• The galleys and toilets are ventilated by allowing
pressurised cabin air to escape to atmosphere.

• The galleys are ventilated through vent inlets in the ceiling

panel.

• The toilet compartments are vented by air flowing through

a gap between the toilet shroud and the toilet bowl flange,
and into the vent duct located beneath the toilet shroud.
 Toilets and Galley Ventilation

The ventilation system consists of the following components:

·        Venturi – This limits the outflow of cabin air when aircraft is pressurised.

·        Check Valve – This prevents back flow through the ventilation system

·        Muffler – Reduces duct noise in the galley ventilation system

·        Galley Vent Inlet – Provides the means of picking up galley odours

·        Restrictors – Balance the airflow between galley units and toilet
compartments

·        Electric fan – Provide venting when the aircraft is on the ground or at low
differential pressure e.g. less than 1 lb/in2
GALLEY/TOILET VENTS

Simple Vent System

 Air Conditioning Pack Bay Ventilation

• The air conditioning pack bays are ventilated to ensure a

circulation of air.
• This maintains on the ground and in the air, a temperature low
• enough to prevent structural damage in the area.

• During flight ram air flows into the pack bay through a NACA air

inlet.

• On the ground a turbofan, powered by bleed air provides sufficient

airflow.
Air Conditioning Pack Bay Ventilation
 Cargo Compartment Ventilation

• The cargo compartments are usually ventilated by drawing air from the
passenger cabin and blowing it into the cargo compartments through isolation
valves.

• Extraction fans may also be provided to draw air from the cargo compartment
to ensure there is a good circulation of air.

• When the ventilation system is selected ‘on’, the isolation valves open and
the extractor fans start.

• Should the cargo compartment smoke detectors detect the presence of

smoke, the extractor fans automatically stop and the isolation valves close, to
prevent the spread of fire.

• It may be necessary to heat the air entering the cargo compartments. This
may be done using electric heaters.
 NACA Flush Air
Intakes

• Auxiliary air intakes may be of the scoop type or flush type (NACA duct).

• They are designed to admit or collect the required mass or pressure of air, so it
is important that they are not damaged by careless ground handling and fitting
or removal or protective covers or blanks.

• In addition, some intakes have temperature or pressure sensors fitted in their

throats, and some require particular care, as they are prone to damage
from ice or bird strike debris entering the intake.
 Inspection
• When inspecting these ducts the smoothness of the surfaces in
contact with the airflow should be checked.

• Even a rivet protruding a small amount can cause a great deal of

turbulence and therefore drag.

• Birds have been known to nest in these ducts if aircraft has been
standing for a time.

• On ground in cold weather there is always the danger of icing. If

ice builds up the airflow will be reduced but, even more important,
there is the risk of ingestion of the ice into the system.
 Exhausts
• There are many types of exhaust which pass unwanted air overboard.
The electronic equipment produces heat and this requires a cooling
system which exhausts overboard.

• The galleys and lavatories may be vented through this type of exhaust.

• The same precautions followed for air intakes generally apply when
inspecting exhaust ducts. In this case however, the ice would cause
an obstruction to the outflow of air.
• Great care must be taken to ensure all blanks, covers, silencers and
exhaust plugs are removed before the systems are operate.
 Cabin Floor Vents

• In large aircraft a floor venting system is provided in the cabin floor.

• This will equalise the pressures quickly above and below the floor in the event of
loss of a cabin or cargo compartment door.

• Vent grills are fitted along the sides of the cabin at floor level. These are
connected via holes in the aircraft structure to blow out panels in the sidewalls of
the cargo compartments.

• The panels will blow out or in at a differential pressure of 1 lb/in2. This will
equalise pressure above and below the floor, preventing distortion of the floor.

• Relief valves are provided in bulkheads to allow equalisation of air pressure

along the underfloor areas.
AIRFRAME STRUCTURES COURSE CODE- EK 2109

THE END