Cavity Isolator Joint for Shock and Heat Attenuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing structural joints with vibration and thermal isolators are not optimized for a compact form, lacking efficient shock wave and heat transfer attenuation between components.

Innovation Solution

A structural joint design featuring an annular spacer with internal cavities and a fastener, where the spacer includes metal or ceramic powder within its cavities to attenuate shock wave transmission and heat transfer by providing extended, tortuous paths, and the fastener secures components while minimizing direct contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional solid isolators are used between components, then structural strength is maintained, but shock wave and heat transfer attenuation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock wave and heat transfer attenuationVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The isolator incorporates a porous structure with interconnected voids and channels that allow shock waves to dissipate through multiple reflection paths and heat transfer to be reduced through the tortuous conduction paths, while the surrounding solid matrix maintains structural strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The isolator uses composite material construction combining solid matrix with void spaces, creating a structure that simultaneously provides mechanical strength from the solid portions and attenuation properties from the porous architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of moving object

If isolator size is reduced for compact form, then space efficiency improves, but shock wave and heat transfer attenuation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisolator volumeVSAvoidshock wave and heat transfer attenuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The isolator employs three-dimensionally interconnected porous channels and voids that maximize the attenuation path length within a compact volume, transforming the problem from two-dimensional surface area to three-dimensional spatial utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The porous structure features nested hierarchies of pores and channels at multiple scales, allowing shock waves and heat to traverse extended tortuous paths through progressively smaller void spaces, achieving high attenuation in reduced volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design effectively reduces shock wave and heat transfer between components by utilizing internal cavities and powder-filled spaces, enhancing isolation and thermal management in a compact form.

Implementation Method 1

the spacer includes metal or ceramic powder within its cavities to attenuate shock wave transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShock wave attenuation: Shock Wave

Implementation Method 2

The isolator may be configured to attenuate shock wave transmission between the first component and the second component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

The isolator may also or alternatively be configured to attenuate heat transfer between the first component and the second component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

the spacer includes metal or ceramic powder within its cavities to attenuate shock wave transmission and heat transfer by providing extended, tortuous paths

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer attenuation: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4299943A1Structural joint isolator with internal cavities
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 RAYTHEON CO
  • EP4299943A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4299943A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4299943A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A structural joint (20) is provided that includes a first component (22), a second component (24), an isolator (26) and a fastener (28). The isolator (26) is engaged with and between the first component (22) and the second component (24). The isolator (26) includes a plurality of internal cavities (68) between the first component (22) and the second component (24). The fastener (28) projects out of the first component (22), through the isolator (26) and into the second component (24).