Battery-Mass Vibration Attenuation for Rotorcraft Airframes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft experience vibrations due to mechanical components and airflow, which existing vibration attenuation systems like tuned mass absorbers and Frahms often address inadequately due to their weight and added mass, posing challenges in maintaining structural integrity and payload capacity.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a vibration attenuation system using multiple batteries coupled with elastic devices of varying stiffness, which oscillate to attenuate vibratory forces exerted on the airframe, thereby reducing resonance and structural stress without adding dead weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If tuned mass absorbers or Frahms are used to mitigate vibrations, then vibration attenuation is improved, but aircraft weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration attenuationVSAvoidaircraft weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by using batteries that already exist in the aircraft for dual purposes: power supply and vibration attenuation. The batteries serve as tuned mass absorbers, eliminating the need for separate vibration mitigation components and thereby avoiding additional weight while still achieving vibration reduction across multiple frequencies

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the power supply function and vibration attenuation function into a single integrated system. The batteries are coupled to the airframe structure and configured to attenuate vibrations at their natural frequency and harmonics, combining two essential aircraft functions into one component system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple batteries with different stiffness elastic devices are used to attenuate vibrations across a range of frequencies, then vibration attenuation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration attenuation effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different elastic devices with varying stiffness values for different batteries based on their specific locations and vibration attenuation requirements. Each battery-elastic device combination is locally optimized for its frequency range, with stiffer devices for higher frequencies and more compliant devices for lower frequencies, achieving broad-spectrum attenuation without requiring a completely different system design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This solution effectively attenuates vibrations across a range of frequencies, maintaining aircraft payload capacity and reducing the risk of resonance-induced damage, as the batteries and elastic devices work together to absorb and dissipate vibratory energy.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor system is operable to exert a vibratory force on the airframe. The elastic devices are configured to attenuate the vibratory force based on facilitating oscillation of the two or more batteries.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

The elastic devices are configured attenuate the vibratory force of the airframe based on facilitating oscillation of the two or more batteries. Each of the elastic devices has a stiffness different from others of the elastic devices.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

The elastic devices are coupled to the two or more batteries and the airframe. The elastic devices are configured to attenuate the vibratory force based on facilitating oscillation of the two or more batteries.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

The elastic devices are configured to attenuate the vibratory force based on facilitating oscillation of the two or more batteries. The two or more batteries and elastic devices work together to absorb and dissipate vibratory energy.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3712062B1Vibration attenuation system for electric and hybrid electric vehicles
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC
  • EP3712062B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3712062B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3712062B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

In some examples, an aircraft (600) comprises an airframe (602), a rotor system (604a, 604b) coupled to the airframe (602), and a vibration attenuation system (610). The rotor system (604a, 604b) is operable to exert a vibratory force on the airframe (602). The vibration attenuation system (610) comprises two or more batteries (606) and elastic devices (608). The two or more batteries (606) are operable to supply power to the rotor system (604a, 604b). The elastic devices (608) coupled to the two or more batteries (606) and the airframe (602). The elastic devices (608) are configured to attenuate the vibratory force based on facilitating oscillation of the two or more batteries (606). In other examples, a method comprises coupling elastic devices (608) to two or more batteries (606) and an airframe (602) of an aircraft (600). The elastic devices (608) receiving a vibratory force via the airframe (602) and attenuate the vibratory force based on facilitating oscillation of the two or more batteries (606).