Acoustic Sandwich Panel Mounting That Preserves Core Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic sandwich panels in turbojet engine nacelles face challenges in maintaining acoustic integrity and structural continuity while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, particularly in the assembly process involving flanges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an acoustic panel with a flank connecting two skins, featuring an opening leading into a cavity with a fastening component, such as a counter-flange sector, allows for a simplified and cost-effective assembly by using screws or barrel nuts to secure the panel to a flange, preserving the acoustic core and optimizing the acoustic protection surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bonding or welding techniques are used to connect sandwich panels to flanges, then structural and acoustic continuity is maintained, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the connection system into separate functional components: the sandwich panel with its acoustic core remains intact, while the flange connection is achieved through discrete fastening elements (screws, nuts, or rivets) that attach to flanges integrated into the panel structure. This segmentation allows the acoustic core to remain undisturbed while providing multiple attachment points for mechanical fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces flanges as intermediary elements that bridge the sandwich panel and the mounting structure. These flanges are integrated into the panel assembly and provide standardized interfaces for mechanical fastening, eliminating the need for direct bonding or welding between the acoustic panel and mounting structures while maintaining both structural and acoustic integrity.
2Strength
If flange-type assembly with bending skins is used to create connecting faces, then structural connection is achieved, but acoustic core surface area is reduced and manufacturing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the flange connection interface to a different dimensional location - integrating flanges into the panel structure at positions that do not compromise the acoustic core surface area. The flanges extend from the panel edges or are integrated into the skin structure, providing connection capability in a different spatial dimension while preserving the acoustic panel's effective surface area.
3Reliability
If bonding techniques are used to assemble sandwich panel components, then mechanical and acoustic integrity is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical bonding processes with mechanical fastening systems. Instead of using adhesives that require controlled application, curing time, and quality inspection for bond integrity, the design uses mechanical fasteners (screws, nuts, or rivets) that provide immediate structural connection and can be easily inspected and assembled with standard tools.
Data Source
AI summary
An acoustic panel including a first skin and a second skin extending on either side of an acoustic core, the acoustic panel also having a flank connecting the first skin and the second skin, one of the first skin and the second skin including a light opening into a cavity made in the acoustic core, a first attachment component extending into the cavity in the immediate vicinity of an inner face of the flank.