Capped Jet Blast Resistant Arresting Unit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle arresting systems face challenges in resisting jet blast, moisture damage, and durability, particularly in close proximity to aircraft operations, leading to potential performance degradation and reduced useful life.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle arresting unit incorporates a molded plastic top tray with flexible fabric extensions, a bottom tray with beveled edges for water drainage, and intermediate foam material for force mitigation, along with a cap assembly to provide enhanced resistance to external forces and improved durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compressible material with limited strength is used for arresting purposes, then aircraft can be safely arrested without landing gear destruction, but the material becomes susceptible to damage from jet blast and other environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The arresting system is divided into multiple modular blocks arranged in series. Each block is independently sized and positioned to provide progressive resistance. This segmentation allows the system to arrest aircraft safely while distributing the stress across multiple units, reducing individual block vulnerability to jet blast damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction within blocks, combining compressible arresting material with reinforcing elements or protective coatings. This composite approach maintains the necessary compressibility for safe arrestment while adding resistance to jet blast, moisture, and environmental degradation.
2Productivity
If arresting bed is installed close to runway to stop overrunning aircraft, then arrestment effectiveness is improved, but the bed is exposed to higher jet blast velocities and sonic levels
Solution Approach 1:
The arresting blocks are pre-positioned and pre-configured in their optimal arrangement before an emergency overrun occurs. This preliminary setup ensures immediate effectiveness when needed while allowing for long-term exposure to environmental factors. The blocks are pre-sized and pre-located to provide progressive resistance from the moment of contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates protective features in advance to cushion blocks against jet blast and environmental damage before actual arrestment use. This may include protective coatings, sheltering structures, or material selections that resist thermal and acoustic degradation, thereby extending the useful life of blocks positioned close to the runway.
3Ease of repair
If modular block design is used for simplified installation and replacement, then maintenance ease is improved, but structural integrity during shipment and installation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into standardized modular blocks that can be independently handled, shipped, and replaced. Each block is designed as a self-contained unit with standardized dimensions and connection interfaces, facilitating easy replacement while maintaining overall system integrity through proper modular design and assembly protocols.
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 mitigates the effects of jet blast and moisture, enhances structural integrity, and simplifies installation and replacement, while maintaining the necessary compressive failure characteristics for safe aircraft arrestment.
Implementation Method 1
intermediate foam material for force mitigation
Implementation Method 2
intermediate foam material for force mitigation
Implementation Method 3
bottom tray with beveled edges for water drainage
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Aircraft arresting beds at ends of runways may be subject to damaging effects of jet blast phenomena. Arresting units for that and other applications and which are resistant to such effects are described, with related methods.