Collapsible Baffle Infrared Suppressor for Aircraft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infrared suppression systems for gas turbines in helicopters are static, trading performance, payload capability, and range for survivability, and fail to effectively manage increasing engine exhaust gas temperatures and varying threat environments.
Innovation Solution
A lobed mixer infrared suppressor with a collapsible, translatable baffle that generates alternating flows of hot exhaust gas and cold air, allowing for multiple operational modes to optimize infrared suppression, backpressure reduction, and performance based on the threat environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If static infrared suppression systems are used to block line of sight and mix exhaust gases, then infrared signature reduction is achieved, but performance, payload capability, and range are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the baffle system movable and adjustable rather than static. The baffle can translate axially and collapse radially to change its position and configuration, allowing the system to adapt between different operational modes (infrared suppression mode with full blockage and performance mode with minimal blockage), thus resolving the contradiction between infrared signature reduction and performance maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the baffle (position, configuration, degree of collapse) to achieve different operational states. By adjusting the baffle's axial position and radial collapse degree, the system can optimize the balance between infrared suppression effectiveness and engine performance, allowing parameter optimization based on threat levels.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If larger baffles are used to block more infrared radiation, then infrared suppression improves, but backpressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible baffle design allows the structure to dynamically adjust its radial configuration. When collapsed, the baffle presents a smaller cross-sectional area to the exhaust flow, reducing backpressure while still maintaining infrared blockage when deployed. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between infrared suppression and backpressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle is divided into multiple collapsible segments or sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows selective deployment where only necessary portions are extended for infrared blockage, minimizing the overall blockage area and reducing backpressure while maintaining suppression effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If fixed infrared suppression configuration is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying threat environments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable and collapsible baffle system provides dynamic reconfigurability, allowing the infrared suppressor to adapt to varying threat environments. The system can transition between different operational modes (high suppression, low suppression, performance optimization) by adjusting the baffle position and configuration, achieving versatility without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single baffle assembly performs multiple functions: it blocks infrared radiation, manages exhaust flow, and can be adjusted to provide different levels of suppression based on threat levels. This multi-functionality allows one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple fixed configurations, maintaining simplicity while achieving adaptability.
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 provides significant infrared suppression while minimizing performance loss, maintaining payload and range capabilities, and effectively managing increased engine exhaust gas temperatures, offering adaptable protection across different threat levels.
Implementation Method 1
directing hot exhaust from the aircraft engine into a lobed mixer of a single baffle infrared suppressor having a collapsible, translatable baffle to generate alternating flows of hot exhaust gas and cold air
Implementation Method 2
directing the alternating flows of hot exhaust gas and cold air towards the single baffle assembly to mix the hot exhaust gas with the cold air
Data Source
AI summary
A method for suppressing infrared radiation from an engine of an aircraft operating in an environment includes directing hot exhaust from the aircraft engine into a lobed mixer of a single baffle infrared suppressor having a collapsible, translatable baffle to generate alternating flows of hot exhaust gas and cold air. The method further includes directing the alternating flows of hot exhaust gas and cold air towards the single baffle assembly to mix the hot exhaust gas with the cold air.