Cavity-Filled Structural Joint Isolator for Shock and Heat Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structural joints with vibration and thermal isolators are not compact enough, necessitating a smaller form factor that effectively attenuates shock wave transmission and heat transfer between components.
Innovation Solution
A structural joint design featuring an annular spacer with internal cavities and a fastener, where the spacer is configured to extend circumferentially around an axis, filled with metal or ceramic powder, which attenuates shock wave and heat transfer by providing extended, tortuous paths through the isolator body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional solid isolator is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the isolator size is large and attenuation performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator employs a porous internal structure with multiple cavities filled with powder material (metal, ceramic, or composite). This porous configuration increases the surface area and tortuosity of heat and shock transmission paths, enhancing attenuation performance while reducing the overall isolator volume compared to traditional solid isolators.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator uses composite material construction with a porous body structure filled with powder material. This composite approach combines the structural integrity of the porous matrix with the attenuation properties of the powder filling, achieving superior shock and heat attenuation in a compact form factor.
2Volume of moving object
If the isolator size is reduced, then the form factor is compact, but the path length for shock and heat attenuation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The porous internal structure introduces additional spatial dimensions and tortuosity to the attenuation path. Instead of a straight linear path, shock and heat must navigate through multiple cavities and powder-filled channels, effectively increasing the attenuation path length within a compact isolator volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved and irregular pathways created by the porous cavity structure increase the effective path length for shock and heat transmission. The non-linear geometry forces energy to traverse a longer, more complex route through the isolator, enhancing attenuation without increasing external dimensions.
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 isolates components by increasing the distance and changing directions of shock wave and heat transfer paths, reducing material availability for energy transmission and enhancing attenuation through the use of powder-filled cavities.
Implementation Method 1
The isolator may be configured to attenuate shock wave transmission between the first component and the second component
Implementation Method 2
The isolator may also or alternatively be configured to attenuate heat transfer between the first component and the second component
Data Source
AI summary
A structural joint is provided that includes a first component, a second component, an isolator and a fastener. The isolator is engaged with and between the first component and the second component. The isolator includes a plurality of internal cavities between the first component and the second component. The fastener projects out of the first component, through the isolator and into the second component.