Active Vibration Isolation System for Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passive vibration isolation systems in aircraft are ineffective at frequencies outside their designed range, leading to inadequate attenuation of vibrations from the rotor system, which can cause material fatigue and flight control issues.
Innovation Solution
An active vibration isolation system using a dual fluid pump and an electro-hydraulic servo valve, coupled with a control computer and displacement transducer, actively adjusts the flow of tuning fluid to continuously attenuate vibrations across a broader frequency range by segregating tuning fluid from hydraulic fluid and using feedback to optimize vibration isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a passive vibration isolation system is used, then the system structure is simple, but the vibration attenuation effectiveness is reduced when vibration frequency is outside the designed range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static passive vibration isolation system into a dynamic active system. The active vibration isolation system uses sensors to detect vibration frequencies and a control system to adjust the isolation parameters in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to varying vibration frequencies beyond the designed range of passive systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fixed parameters of passive isolation systems into variable parameters controlled by an active system. The control system modifies isolation parameters such as stiffness and damping in response to detected vibration frequencies, enabling effective attenuation across a broader frequency spectrum.
2Reliability
If an active vibration isolation system is used, then the vibration attenuation effectiveness is improved across broader frequency range, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified active vibration isolation system. The system simultaneously performs vibration detection, frequency analysis, parameter adjustment, and isolation control, replacing multiple separate components with a coordinated multi-functional system that achieves broad-frequency attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where sensors continuously monitor vibration frequencies and feed this information to the control system. The control system processes this feedback and adjusts the isolation parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains effectiveness across varying frequencies without requiring overly complex open-loop configurations.
3Ease of operation
If passive vibration isolation is used, then the system is easy to operate, but it cannot adapt to varying vibration frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the vibration isolation system to self-adjust and self-optimize. The active system automatically detects vibration frequencies, processes this information through the control system, and modifies its own isolation parameters without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving frequency adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static isolation characteristics of passive systems into dynamic, adaptive characteristics. The system continuously adjusts its behavior based on real-time vibration conditions, enabling automatic adaptation to varying frequencies while maintaining simple operation through automated control.
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
The active system effectively isolates vibrations across a wider frequency range, reducing material fatigue and flight control issues by continuously adjusting the vibration isolation in response to varying frequencies and amplitudes, outperforming passive systems.
Implementation Method 1
a dual fluid pump in fluid communication with the vibration isolator and a hydraulic system, wherein the dual fluid pump is configured to segregate a tuning fluid from a hydraulic fluid
Implementation Method 2
The aircraft can include a vibration isolation or suppression system to attenuate the vibration as it is transmitted from the rotor system to the airframe
Implementation Method 3
communicating a feedback signal to the control computer corresponding to the measured displacement of a piston within the pump using a displacement transducer
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an active vibration isolation system that includes a vibration isolator, a dual fluid pump in fluid communication with the vibration isolator and a hydraulic system, wherein the dual fluid pump is configured to segregate a tuning fluid from a hydraulic fluid and an electric-hydraulic servo valve in fluid communication with the dual fluid pump.