Passenger Aircraft Windows
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Durkadurkastan
Passenger Aircraft Windows
Does anyone know what the small metal thing embedded in passenger aircraft windows is called and what it is for? You sometimes see ice forming around it after you've been flying for any length of time. After staring at it for the best part of 12 hours recently, my best guess is that it might be some sort of safety device for detecting fatigue.
PPRuNe Engineering Dept Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Deep in the boglands of Western Ireland
Well, snce we're into minute details, how about this: Why is the little hole on the outer pane, and not the inner one? is there a specified reason for it?
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Florida
It's not...... The hole is on the inner window. It is a breather that also helps to detect when the window seal is leaking. Cabin pressure forces air through the hole and will leave a small circular stain on the inside of the outer window. This will also be accompanied by a fair amount of condensation between the windows.
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From: fairly close to the colonial capitol
Does anyone know what the small metal thing embedded in passenger aircraft windows is called and what it is for?
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: fairly close to the colonial capitol
The hole is there to make sure all pressurising loads are on the outer pane, as the inner pane is there in case of outer pane failure and does not take any load until then.
They told us it was to decrease fogging/condensation issues. Perhaps this is a welcome side effect to your posit ?
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Uk
The "Breather hole" does allow cabin Pressure to the outer pane which is usually a plug type installation and the primary load taker, the middle pane can usually, upon failure of the outter pane, take 1.5 times the normal load. The breather hole also helps prevent fogging!
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: U.S. East Cost and Europe (travelling too much, and at home in both)
Originally Posted by Arnie Dan Otherdump
The hole is never on the inner scratch pane, as 4 year old kids on a 12 hour flight with nothing better to do, would plug them all up with cocktail sticks and bogies !
