Active Crew Seat Vibration Control With Hydraulic Phase Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft seating systems fail to effectively mitigate the complex vibrations generated by aircraft components, leading to occupant fatigue and decreased performance due to physiological responses to vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A vibration canceling system with a cavity filled with incompressible fluid, a force generator, and a controller that generates phased signals to move the occupant-facing surface out of phase with sensed vibrations, using a sensor to detect and counteract these vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional aircraft seating systems are used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but vibrations are transmitted to occupants causing fatigue and decreased performance
Solution Approach 1:
The seating system is divided into distinct functional modules: a sensor module for detecting vibrations, a controller module for processing signals, and a force generator module for producing counter-vibrations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability and reducing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the force generator, processing vibration signals and generating appropriate counter-vibration commands. This intermediary component enables the system to intelligently respond to detected vibrations by coordinating the actions of different modules, thereby reducing vibration transmission without requiring direct mechanical coupling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a vibration canceling system with sensor and force generator is added, then vibration cancellation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The force generator is designed to perform multiple functions: it generates counter-vibrations to cancel unwanted vibrations, and can also provide structural support for the seating system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall system complexity and component count while maintaining effective vibration cancellation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration canceling system is designed to be self-regulating through feedback control. The sensor continuously monitors vibrations, the controller processes the signals and adjusts the force generator's output accordingly, creating a self-correcting system that automatically adapts to varying vibration conditions without requiring external intervention or additional complex control mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If active vibration control is implemented, then occupant comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration canceling system operates by generating periodic counter-vibrations that are synchronized with the detected vibration frequencies. By using periodic action rather than continuous force generation, the system can effectively cancel vibrations while minimizing energy consumption, as the force generator only activates when needed to counter specific vibration cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts the amplitude and frequency parameters of the force generator's output based on the real-time vibration signals detected by the sensor. This parameter adjustment allows the system to match the energy input to the actual vibration levels, consuming more energy only when vibrations are present and intense, and minimizing energy consumption when vibrations are low or absent.
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 system effectively cancels vibrations at the occupant-facing surface, reducing fatigue and improving occupant performance by minimizing physiological responses to aircraft vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor positioned at the first surface. The sensor is configured to sense a motion of the first surface
Implementation Method 2
a force generator configured to transmit forces to the substantially incompressible fluid to move the first surface relative to the second surface
Implementation Method 3
The cavity contains a substantially incompressible fluid. The force generator is configured to transmit forces to the substantially incompressible fluid to move the first surface
Implementation Method 4
The controller is configured to control the force generator to transmit a first force to the substantially incompressible fluid to move the first surface out of phase with the sensed motion
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration canceling system for an aircraft includes a vibration canceling structure having a first surface opposite a second surface and a cavity between the first surface and the second surface. The cavity contains a substantially incompressible fluid. The system includes a force generator configured to transmit forces to the substantially incompressible fluid to move the first surface relative to the second surface and a sensor positioned at the first surface. The sensor is configured to sense a motion of the first surface. The system includes a controller configured to control the force generator to transmit a first force to the substantially incompressible fluid to move the first surface out of phase with the sensed motion.