Dual Load Path Bracket for Linear Actuator Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Actuators used to open and close aircraft engine cowling doors experience vibration-induced wear due to non-linear dynamic responses caused by inadequate damping ratios, leading to reduced service life and the need for larger actuators.
Innovation Solution
A bracket assembly with a clevis body and a second bracket having a clevis portion and a mount portion, featuring an elastomeric body for vibration isolation and dual load paths to manage vibrational and operational loads, allowing for tunable damping and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bracket structure rigidly fixes the linear actuator to the engine and cowling door, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the vibration transmitted to the actuator increases causing non-linear dynamic response and accelerated wear
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket structure is segmented into rigid portions (for strength) and a flexible portion (for vibration isolation). The flexible portion is inserted between the rigid bracket portions to create a vibration isolating joint that maintains structural integrity while reducing vibration transmission to the actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible portion acts as an intermediary element between the rigid bracket structure and the actuator. This intermediary component absorbs and dampens vibration energy, preventing direct transmission of high-frequency vibrations to the actuator while maintaining the load-bearing function of the bracket.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the damping ratio of the bracket structure is increased to reduce vibration, then the vibration isolation is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire bracket structure complex and heavy to achieve vibration isolation, the flexible portion with specific damping properties is applied locally at the critical joint where vibration transmission occurs. This localized approach provides effective vibration isolation without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket structure combines rigid materials (for strength) with a flexible damping material (for vibration isolation). This composite construction allows the rigid portions to provide structural support while the flexible portion provides vibration damping, achieving effective vibration isolation without requiring the entire structure to be complex or oversized.
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 dampens linear actuators, isolates vibrational forces, and extends the service life of the actuator by providing a soft-mount during inactive states and hard-mount during operation, reducing wear and allowing for a more efficient load communication.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration isolator including an elastomeric body fixedly arranged axially between the first bracket and the second bracket
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric body fixedly arranged between the clevis portion of the second bracket and the clevis body of the first bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket assembly includes a first bracket arranged along a damping axis and having a clevis body, a second bracket, and a vibration isolator including an elastomeric body. The second bracket is arranged along the damping axis and has a clevis portion and a mount portion. The clevis portion slidably receives the clevis body of the first bracket. The elastomeric body is arranged axially between the first bracket and the second bracket and is fixedly arranged between the clevis portion of the second bracket and the clevis body of the first bracket through an on-axis load path and through an off-axis load path extending through the bracket assembly. Actuator arrangements and methods of damping vibrational forces are also described.