Bird-strike Energy Absorbing Net for Aircraft Nacelles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft nacelles face significant damage from high-velocity bird strikes due to the inability of current materials to effectively absorb and dissipate the impact energy without failing, and existing designs are susceptible to environmental conditions like heat from de-icing air.
Innovation Solution
An energy-absorbing arrangement featuring a webbing system with offset folds and stitches between the inner and outer barrels of the nacelle inlet, which breaks and unfolds to absorb energy from impacting objects, potentially including a reinforcement zone and an arrester to arrest the object, decoupling from heat sources and reducing peak load on the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional solid barrier materials are used to protect against bird strikes, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases and thermal decoupling is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a webbing system composed of flexible, folded textile elements that can dynamically deform during impact events. These thin film-like structures provide bird-strike protection without requiring the mass of traditional solid barriers, achieving strength through geometric configuration and energy dissipation mechanisms rather than material thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The webbing system transitions from a static structure to a dynamic energy-absorbing mechanism during bird strikes. The folds and stitches are designed to progressively fail and unfold, converting the rigid barrier concept into a dynamic response system that adapts to impact forces, thereby providing protection with reduced weight.
2Strength
If traditional solid barrier materials are used to protect against bird strikes, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity and thermal management worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The webbing system's thin, flexible construction creates natural thermal breaks between the external environment and internal nacelle components. The folded structure and air gaps within the webbing assembly provide thermal insulation, decoupling heat sources from sensitive equipment without requiring additional thermal management systems.
3Strength
If high-strength materials are used to withstand bird impact, then impact resistance is improved, but energy absorption capability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The webbing system incorporates pre-configured energy absorption mechanisms through its folded structure and stitch patterns. Before impact occurs, the system is prepared with stored elastic energy in the folded states, which are designed to progressively unfold and dissipate impact energy through controlled failure modes, reducing peak forces on the nacelle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The webbing material properties and geometric parameters are specifically selected to optimize energy absorption. The folds and stitches create a progressive failure sequence that transforms the abrupt energy transfer of rigid materials into a prolonged energy dissipation process, changing the temporal and spatial parameters of impact energy absorption.
4Strength
If the webbing is positioned close to the nose lip for maximum protection, then impact resistance is improved, but thermal exposure from de-icing air worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The webbing's thin film structure provides thermal insulation while maintaining impact protection functionality. The material selection and geometric configuration create a thermal barrier that protects the webbing and underlying structure from de-icing air heat, allowing the system to be positioned closer to the nose lip without excessive thermal exposure.
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 energy-absorbing arrangement effectively stops objects like birds by gradually absorbing energy through stitch breakage and fold unfolding, allowing for thinner nacelle structures and reduced damage from bird strikes while maintaining decoupling from heat sources.
Implementation Method 1
the webbing being configured to absorb energy from an object in response to the object passing through the nose lip and applying a force to the webbing
Implementation Method 2
the webbing being folded together to form a plurality of folds, the plurality of folds being stitched together via a plurality of stitches
Implementation Method 3
the arrester being configured to arrest the object
Implementation Method 4
The force may comprise a tensile force
Data Source
AI summary
An energy absorbing arrangement may comprise an inner barrel comprising a centerline axis, an outer barrel, a webbing extending between the outer barrel and the inner barrel and configured to be offset from a nose lip by a distance, the webbing being folded together to form a plurality of folds, the plurality of folds being stitched together via a plurality of stitches, wherein the webbing is configured to absorb energy from an object in response to the object passing through the nose lip and applying a force to the webbing.