Adjustable Belt-Drive Mounting Assembly for Aircraft Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft propulsion systems face challenges in efficiently mounting and adjusting the tension of components like electric generators to gas turbine engines, leading to suboptimal power transfer and mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly that includes a cradle, adjustment link, and sliding mechanisms to adjust the tension of the belt drive, allowing for precise positioning and tensioning of mechanical loads relative to the rotor, thereby optimizing power transfer and reducing mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed mounting arrangement is used for the belt drive system, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the belt tension cannot be adjusted leading to suboptimal power transfer and increased mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly transforms the fixed cradle into a dynamically adjustable position through the adjustment link mechanism. The cradle can pivot relative to the housing, allowing the belt drive system to adapt its position and tension dynamically, thereby optimizing power transfer while managing mechanical stress through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment link enables changing the geometric parameters of the mounting assembly by pivoting the cradle to different angular positions. This parameter change allows optimization of belt tension and power transfer efficiency without fundamentally redesigning the entire mounting structure, balancing performance improvement with structural simplicity
2Reliability
If the cradle is rigidly fixed to the housing, then the structure is stable and simple, but mechanical stress cannot be managed and power transfer is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is designed with pivotal coupling to the housing through adjustment links, transforming a rigid fixed connection into a dynamic articulated joint. This allows the cradle to pivot and absorb mechanical stresses through controlled movement, improving stress management while maintaining structural stability through the constrained degrees of freedom provided by the linkage mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment links serve as intermediary elements between the cradle and housing, mediating the connection by allowing controlled pivotal movement. This intermediary mechanism enables stress management through motion while maintaining the structural relationship between cradle and housing, avoiding the need for complex flexible mounts or dampers
3Productivity
If the belt tension is not adjustable, then the mounting assembly is simpler, but power transfer efficiency is reduced and mechanical stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment link provides a dynamic tension adjustment capability by allowing the cradle to pivot to different positions. As the cradle pivots, the belt tension changes automatically due to the altered geometry, enabling optimization of power transfer efficiency without requiring complex active tensioning mechanisms or multiple adjustment points
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment link serves multiple functions simultaneously: it positions the cradle, adjusts belt tension, and manages mechanical stress through its pivotal motion. This multi-functionality achieves effective tension control and power transfer optimization without adding separate dedicated tensioning mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity
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 assembly ensures efficient power transfer and reduced mechanical stress by allowing for adjustable tension in the belt drive, enhancing the overall performance and reliability of the propulsion system.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustment link is configured to change a distance between the housing and the cradle to adjust a tension of the belt drive
Implementation Method 2
The slide is mated with and configured to move along the track
Implementation Method 3
The cradle is pivotally coupled to the housing at the second side
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly is provided for an aircraft propulsion system. This assembly includes a housing, a rotor and a system. The rotor is next to the housing. The system includes a mechanical load, a belt drive, a cradle, a slide and an adjustment link. The mechanical load is operatively coupled to the rotor through the belt drive. The mechanical load is fixed to the cradle. The cradle includes a track and extends laterally between a first side and a second side. The cradle is coupled to the housing through the adjustment link at the first side. The cradle is pivotally coupled to the housing at the second side. The slide is connected to the housing. The slide is mated with and configured to move along the track. The adjustment link is configured to change a distance between the housing and the cradle to adjust a tension of the belt drive.