ENSC35 Boeing Firewall Seal
Team Members: James Komperud, Kyle Mulvaney,
Kellen Kennedy, Ruben Ruvalcaba Macias Jr.
Faculty Advisor: Andrew Johnson
Sponsor: Boeing
Liaison: Patricia Blankenship
Project Overview: Where the 737MAX Thrust Reverser (TR) mates with the engine is a fire wall. There are strict FAA regulations governing the construction of a fire wall. The engine interface with the TR consists of panels that have gaps between each panel. These gaps need to be sealed to maintain the fire wall. The selected approved fire proof sealant takes 4 hours to cure. This cure time presents a burden on operators when doing maintenance that requires the removal and replacement of the sealant. The sealant also adds flow time to the production of the engine. *Student working on this projects will be asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement.
Summary Statement of Project Goal: Summary statement of project goal: Identify an alternative interface design or sealing mechanism that will maintain the fire wall and eliminate time consumed by the current sealant.
Project Deliverables: Project deliverables, intermediate and project end (to be fully negotiated with team early in project): Provide a complete assessment of the time, cost and burden cause by the current design for production and in-service maintenance. Provide detailed alternative interface design or sealing mechanism. Demonstrate how these solution(s) meet fire wall requirements, and reduce time, cost and burden for production and maintenance.
Management & Communication Expectations:
WebEx Meeting twice a month with Boeing contacts. Face to face meetings as needed.
1. Kick-off Meeting via WebEx to introduce issue and agree on plan.
a. Face to face working meeting at Renton 737 factory (maybe a 3P/Lean+ workshop)
b. Team provides problem summary to demonstrate the team fully understands design requirements and current design.
2. Complete & present assessment of current design, identify and plan testing and/or analysis for solutions (provide a qualification test plan).
a. Develop score card that will be used to evaluate and compare solutions.
3. Complete test & analysis.
4. Document results.
a. Present findings and a recommended solution
Research Expectations: The team will research the engine FAA fire safety regulations and related issue papers, initial solutions provided by the engine manufacturer and Boeing, similar designs on other aircraft, airline maintenance practices and sealing material properties.