Adaptive Engine Mount Stiffness Control for Propeller Whirl
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine engine mount systems suffer from underdamped system responses due to the coupling of pitch and yaw deflection responses, leading to propeller whirl instability and increased cabin noise.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of active control engine mount systems with adaptive stiffness, utilizing sensors, a controller like FADEC, linkages, pins, and actuators to actively control the stiffness and damping of the mount system in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid mount systems are used to ensure structural stability, then strength and reliability are improved, but the system becomes underdamped leading to propeller whirl instability and increased cabin noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements active control engine mount systems that dynamically adjust stiffness and damping characteristics in real-time. The mount system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can adapt its properties, using actuators and control algorithms to modify the mechanical impedance of the mount based on operating conditions, thereby preventing propeller whirl instability while maintaining structural reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the mount system by varying stiffness and damping coefficients through active control. The system uses sensors to detect vibration conditions and adjusts mount parameters accordingly, transforming the mount from a fixed-parameter component to a variable-parameter system that optimizes both structural stability and propeller whirl suppression
2Stability of the object's composition
If active control systems with sensors and actuators are implemented to reduce propeller whirl instability, then propeller whirl stability and vibration reduction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the engine mount system: structural support, vibration isolation, and active control of propeller whirl. The mount system serves as both a mechanical support structure and an active control device, reducing overall system complexity by combining functions that could otherwise require separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The active control mount system uses onboard sensors to detect vibration conditions and automatically adjusts its own stiffness and damping characteristics without external intervention. The system monitors its own performance and self-regulates to maintain optimal damping, reducing the need for complex external control infrastructure
3Object-generated harmful factors
If adaptive stiffness control is used to improve engine dynamics and reduce vibrations, then vibration levels and cabin noise are reduced, but weight of the mount system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial active control by targeting specific vibration frequencies and modes that contribute most to propeller whirl and cabin noise. Rather than controlling all vibrations equally, the system applies active control only where necessary, using selective damping strategies that reduce harmful vibrations while minimizing the weight penalty of the control system
Data Source
AI summary
Active control apparatus of gas turbine engine mounts are disclosed. An example apparatus for mounting a casing of an unducted gas turbine engine to a pylon, the apparatus includes a mount system; a plurality of sensors to measure at least one parameter indicating propeller whirl stability; and a controller to tune a stiffness of the mount system depending on a function of the at least one parameter measured by the plurality of sensors, the controller to tune the stiffness of the mount system by signaling an actuator, the mount system including: a first linkage; a second linkage; a first pin; a second pin; an interface to engage with the first and second linkages, the interface to at least one of rotate or slide; and the actuator to cause the interface to engage with the first and second linkages based on the signaling from the controller.