Adaptive Damper for ISR Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vibration isolation systems for image data gathering devices, such as ISR systems in aircraft, lack flexibility and require specific tuning for different aircraft types, limiting their adaptability to various vibration profiles.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive damper system with variable damping coefficients and a controller that adjusts damping characteristics based on the expected vibration signature of the vehicle, allowing the system to isolate the ISR system from unique vibration disturbances across different aircraft types, utilizing a combination of passive and active damping elements and vibration sensors for real-time adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional vibration isolation systems are tuned for a specific aircraft type, then vibration isolation effectiveness is improved for that specific type, but adaptability to other aircraft types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration isolation effectivenessVSAvoidadaptability to different aircraft types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The isolation system employs adjustable damping elements that can dynamically change their damping characteristics based on the aircraft type. The damping coefficient is made variable through mechanical adjustment mechanisms, allowing the system to adapt to different vibration profiles of various aircraft types while maintaining effective isolation for each specific type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the damping parameter (damping coefficient) to match different aircraft vibration characteristics. By providing multiple adjustable damping settings, the system can optimize the damping coefficient for each specific aircraft type, thereby achieving effective vibration isolation across multiple platform types without requiring separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dedicated isolation systems are provided for different aircraft types, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different aircraft typesVSAvoidnumber of isolation systems required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single isolation system is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating different aircraft types through adjustable damping elements. The universal design allows one system to replace multiple dedicated systems, reducing overall complexity while maintaining the ability to effectively isolate vibrations from various aircraft platforms.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable damping mechanism enables a single static isolation system to dynamically adapt to different operating conditions and aircraft types. This dynamic capability allows one system to fulfill the roles of multiple dedicated systems, simplifying the overall configuration while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable damping elements are added to enable adaptability, then adaptability to different aircraft types is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different aircraft typesVSAvoidcomplexity of isolation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism changes the damping parameter (coefficient) to match different aircraft vibration characteristics. By providing a controlled way to vary this single critical parameter, the system achieves adaptability without requiring complete redesigns or multiple complex systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables the ISR system to maintain high image quality by effectively isolating vibrations across multiple aircraft types without requiring dedicated tuning setups, providing operational flexibility and reducing jitter or smear in imaging data.

Implementation Method 1

an isolation system having at least one adaptive damper, wherein the adaptive damper has vehicle and payload couplings, the payload coupling being connected to the ISR system, and the adaptive damper comprises a variable damper with a first and a second damping coefficient

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3091249B1Isolation systems for image data gathering devices
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 GOODRICH CORP
  • EP3091249B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3091249B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3091249B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An image gathering system (100) includes an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) device (102), an isolation system (104) with a damper (110), and a controller (106) operatively associated with the damper. The damper has a vehicle coupling (124) and a payload coupling (122), and the payload coupling is connected to the ISR system. The controller is operatively associated with the damper to change the damping coefficient of the damper based on an expected vibration signature of a vehicle (10, 20) coupled to the isolation system through the vehicle coupling of the damper.