Annular Vibration Isolator Bellows Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibrations from jet engines in aircraft cause performance degradation and discomfort due to sub-optimal damping characteristics of existing squeeze film dampers, which require maintenance and introduce positioning errors.
Innovation Solution
An annular vibration isolator with a self-contained fluid system and bellows mechanism that surrounds the bearing, providing effective damping without maintenance needs and minimizing eccentricity errors, using an outer and inner ring structure with axial portions, flanges, and bellows to absorb and dissipate vibratory forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a squeeze film damper (SFD) is used to reduce vibrations, then vibration damping is provided, but maintenance is required and positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows mechanism automatically responds to pressure changes caused by bearing vibrations, expanding and contracting to damp vibrations without requiring external control or maintenance. The self-contained fluid system eliminates the need for continuous fluid replenishment required by traditional SFDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the oil-based squeeze film damper system with a bellows mechanism that uses elastic deformation and trapped fluid compression to achieve vibration damping, eliminating the need for continuous oil supply and filtration systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a squeeze film damper (SFD) is used to reduce vibrations, then vibration damping is provided, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to tolerancing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows mechanism changes the approach from rigid positioning tolerances to elastic deformation parameters, allowing the damping system to accommodate manufacturing variations through controlled elastic expansion and contraction rather than requiring precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static rigid support system to a dynamic bellows mechanism that can adapt its stiffness and damping characteristics through elastic deformation, accommodating manufacturing tolerances while maintaining vibration damping effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional vibration damping systems are used, then some damping is provided, but the system complexity increases due to continuous fluid replenishment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The self-contained fluid system within the bellows mechanism traps a fixed amount of fluid that is compressed and expanded during vibration cycles, eliminating the need for external fluid supply lines, filters, and replenishment systems required by traditional squeeze film dampers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fluid system from the external environment and encloses it within the bellows mechanism, creating a self-contained unit that does not require continuous interaction with external fluid sources or maintenance systems.
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 solution effectively isolates vibrations, reducing the transmission of eccentric forces to the aircraft structure, enhancing engine performance and passenger comfort by providing superior damping characteristics without the need for continuous fluid replenishment or maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows disposed in the chamber and coupled to the radial passageway, the bellows adapted to receive a fluid from the first and second channels
Implementation Method 2
providing effective damping without maintenance needs and minimizing eccentricity errors, using an outer and inner ring structure with axial portions, flanges, and bellows to absorb and dissipate vibratory forces
Data Source
AI summary
An annular vibration isolator for a rotating shaft supported by a bearing is provided. The annular vibration isolator comprises an outer ring extending substantially entirely around the bearing, an arc portion having a contact portion extending toward the bearing, first and second axial portions enclosing a cavity, a first flange portion forming a first channel, a second flange portion forming a second channel, and the first and second flange portions forming a chamber within the cavity and forming a radial passageway connecting the chamber to the first and second channels, and a bellows disposed in the chamber and coupled to the radial passageway, the bellows adapted to receive a fluid from the first and second channels.