Abstract
Air-leakage detection is among the most important processes at the assembly stage of unclosed components, especially for large aircraft. A series of air-leakage detecting methods are generally applied during the final assembly, nevertheless, many of them are less effective to detect the leakage at the assembly stage. The present study aims to discuss the principles of ultrasonic generation in negative pressure conditions to detect the air-leakage. An ultrasonic-based detection method is proposed and designed to detect the air-leakage of unclosed components for aircraft. A relationship between the acoustic power, sound pressure, and the leak aperture detection distance was identified and discussed. A leakage rate model related to leakage rate, leak aperture, and system pressure was implemented and confirmed through experiments. Findings have indicated that the air-leakage can be detected effectively within a detection distance of 0.8 m and a leak aperture greater or equal to 0.4 mm with this method. Besides, the leak location, leak aperture, and leakage rate was acquired in an accurate and fast way. It is an effective method of detecting the air-leakage of unclosed components at the aircraft assembly stage reducing the testing time, energy consumption, and cost for the air-leakage detection in the final assembly stage of large aircraft.
Highlights
Air-tightness of aircraft plays a significant role in the service performance of airborne equipment, life safety of airborne personnel, and flight safety
The sound pressure measured by the ultrasonic detector decreases sharply when r ≤ 0.6 m, and decreases smoothly when r > 0.6 m with the increase of detection distance
As the experiment results at r = 0.4 m, the relationship between the sound pressure and the detection distance is prs ∝ r-0.805, which decays more slowly than prs ∝ r-1
Summary
Air-tightness of aircraft plays a significant role in the service performance of airborne equipment, life safety of airborne personnel, and flight safety. Air-tightness detection has become one of the indispensable technologies for aircraft, which runs through the lifetime of aircraft, including the manufacturing, flight tests, and service process [1,2]. Air leakage is mainly caused by the halfway assembling and sealing of the skin, hatch, skylight, and other parts. The air-leakage detection for the unclosed components is always carried out in the final assembly of aircraft. The complicated process usually consumes time and energy with poor efficiency. A suitable detection method for the air-leakage of unclosed components is essential to develop and is implemented to reduce time, energy, and difficulties in the final assembly
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
