22nd Congress of International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, Harrogate, UK, 28 August - 1st September, 2000
Paper ICAS 2000-6.1.2
INSULATION CONCEPT & MATERIAL OPTIMISATION IN BUSINESS AIRCRAFT
C. Bourban, R. Arndt
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., illbruck Special Products
Keywords: thermal, acoustic, insulation, polyimide, polyethylene, foam, fst
Available energy for cabin heating power in
large cabin single engine A/C is limited. Thus,
the thermal performance of the insulation and
its concept are of high importance. Pilatus
Aircraft Ltd. together with illbruck Special
Products initiated an improvement program for
the PC12 insulation (10-seater). The goals were
to improve thermal and acoustic performance,
to cut down installation time, to reduce water
ingress in the insulation material, to simplify
inspection and consequently, to reduce overall
costs.
The insulation concept for the cabin and
cockpit consists of cushions clamped between
profiles (above floor) and foam plates (under
floor). Cushions were manufactured with opencell
PI foam blocks bagged in two different
polymeric foils. The first is a conventional
vapour barrier (inwards) which is heat sealed
with the second, a newly developed illbruck foil
(outwards). Longerons and frames are insulated
with clipped foam profiles, which serve as
fasteners for the cushions. Closed-cell foam
plates were used in the under floor. All
materials and their combination demonstrate
FST compliance of FAR 25.853(a) or (b).
In-service experience showed significant
benefits in insulation manufacturing,
installation as well as in maintenance and
inspection. Acoustic and thermal performances
were improved without notable weight increase.
Ongoing developments are devoted to further
acoustic and weight reduction, as the modular
design of the new insulation concept allows
further materials or detail optimisation.
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