Acoustic Treatment Panel With Annular Hot Air Channel

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acoustic treatment panels in aircraft nacelles are complex in design and require alignment of ducts, which complicates the integration of hot air channels for frost treatment, and do not optimize the surface area for acoustic treatment.

Innovation Solution

A panel for acoustic treatment incorporating an annular channel that extends over the circumference of the nacelle, providing communication between the annular duct and channels, simplifying the design by allowing non-aligned conduits and enhancing hot air distribution for frost treatment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If traditional acoustic treatment panels are used with separate hot air channels, then acoustic treatment coverage is maximized, but device complexity increases due to required duct alignment and intermediate pieces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic treatment surface areaVSAvoidduct alignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the acoustic treatment panel and hot air channeling function into a single integrated structure. The panel includes both acoustic treatment elements and built-in channels for hot air flow, eliminating the need for separate intermediate pieces and reducing alignment complexity between acoustic panels and hot air ducts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic treatment panel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides acoustic treatment through its structure and materials, while also serving as the conduit for hot air flow to prevent frost. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated hot air channeling components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If intermediate pieces with aligned ducts are used to connect annular duct to panel channels, then hot air transfer is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehot air transfer reliabilityVSAvoidduct alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the hot air channels directly into the acoustic treatment panel structure, the patent eliminates the intermediate piece that required precise alignment. The channels are formed as part of the panel itself, reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining reliable hot air transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If hot air channels are integrated into acoustic panels, then assembly is simplified, but acoustic treatment surface area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly complexityVSAvoidacoustically untreated surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing acoustic treatment on specific surfaces while integrating hot air channels in other areas. The acoustic treatment is applied to surfaces where it is most needed, while channels are incorporated in locations where they can efficiently distribute hot air without compromising critical acoustic zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design simplifies the assembly and enhances the homogenization of hot air temperature and pressure, improving the efficiency of frost treatment while maintaining effective acoustic treatment by reducing acoustically untreated surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

This design simplifies the assembly and enhances the homogenization of hot air temperature and pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHomogenization:

Implementation Method 2

techniques have been developed to reduce internal noise, in particular by placing, at the walls of the inner duct 20, panels or coatings aimed at absorbing part of the sound energy, in particular by using the principle of Helmholtz resonators

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelmholtz resonance: Helmholtz Resonance

Implementation Method 3

an aircraft propulsion assembly comprises a nacelle in which a motorization is arranged substantially concentrically... an annular duct which can be used to channel hot air for the treatment of frost

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2578496B1Acoustic treatment panel including hot-air channels and at least one annular channel
Publication Date: 2016.07.06 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
  • EP2578496B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2578496B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2578496B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~6

AI summary

The object of the invention is an aircraft nacelle comprising a lip (34) extended by an internal duct (36) forming an air inlet, a front frame (32) delimiting with said lip (34) an annular duct (40) in which hot air circulates, and a panel for acoustic treatment comprising, from the outside in, an acoustically resistive layer (44), at least one honeycomb structure (46) and a reflective layer (48), as well as channels (50) for channeling hot air, each with an inlet communicating with the annular duct (40) and an outlet communicating with the internal duct (36), characterized in that the panel for acoustic treatment (30) comprises, upstream of the channels (50), an annular channel (62) which extends over at least a part of the circumference of the nacelle.at least one conduit ensuring communication between said annular channel (62) and the annular channel (40) upstream and several channels (50) opening into said annular channel (62) downstream, the acoustic treatment panel being connected to the front frame (32) at the annular channel (62).