Aircraft Energy Absorption Device with Braided Composite and Foam Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft structural elements, particularly rotating components like propellers and blades, are vulnerable to high-impact events such as bird strikes and debris collisions, leading to potential detachment and catastrophic consequences due to inadequate kinetic energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a kinetic energy absorption device featuring a braided composite outer envelope and a foam core with reinforcement elements, including discontinuous threads with L-shaped or T-shaped heads, to dissipate impact energy and prevent fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a foam core with reinforcing elements is used to absorb kinetic energy, then the energy absorption capability is improved, but the structural integrity and resistance to fragmentation may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure combining foam core material with braided reinforcement elements to achieve both energy absorption and structural integrity. The foam provides energy dissipation through compression and deformation, while the braided reinforcement maintains structural coherence and prevents fragmentation during impact events.
2Strength
If the outer envelope is made of braided composite material to prevent fragmentation, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ability to deform plastically to absorb energy may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The braided reinforcement is applied locally at critical regions where fragmentation risk is highest, while allowing other regions to deform plastically for energy absorption. This localized reinforcement strategy maintains structural integrity where needed without overly constraining the overall deformation capacity of the structure.
3Loss of energy
If reinforcement elements are integrated into the foam core to dissipate energy, then the kinetic energy dissipation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement structure is divided into discrete braided elements distributed throughout the foam core, rather than using a continuous complex framework. This segmented approach allows energy dissipation through multiple independent reinforcement elements while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and manufacturable.
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 device effectively absorbs and dissipates kinetic energy, maintaining structural integrity and preventing chain impacts by allowing the outer casing to deform plastically while the reinforcement elements break or delaminate, thereby reducing the risk of partial or complete detachment during high-velocity collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a foam core, contained in the outer envelope and able to at least partially fill the outer envelope, said foam core being able to absorb at least partially the kinetic energy generated by the impact
Implementation Method 2
reinforcement elements integrated at least partially in the foam core to dissipate, in association with the foam core, the kinetic energy generated by the impact
Implementation Method 3
allowing the outer casing to deform plastically while the reinforcement elements break or delaminate
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5A~6B
AI summary
The invention concerns a device for absorbing kinetic energy for an aircraft structural element that may undergo a dynamic impact, this device comprising: - an outer enclosure (21) made from a braided composite material capable of preserving its integrity after an impact, - a foam core (22), contained in the outer enclosure and capable of at least partially filling said outer enclosure (21), said foam core (22) being capable of at least partially absorbing the kinetic energy generated by the impact, and - reinforcing elements (30) integrated at least partially into the foam core in order to dissipate, combined with the form core (22), the kinetic energy generated by the impact; - the reinforcing elements (30) comprising discontinuous threads (32) inserted into the foam core (22) by stitching, and - the discontinuous threads (32) each include an L- or T-shaped head (33), folded down outside the outer enclosure (21).