Energy Attenuating Aircraft Windshield Corner Supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft windshields face challenges in withstanding bird strikes, as conventional methods either lead to penetration or shattering, and existing regulations require no penetration without increasing windshield thickness or splitting it, which can result in weight penalties and premature failure.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of energy attenuating windshield corner supports that deform upon impact, extending across the windshield frame from one eyebrow structure to another, featuring a transverse web with a longitudinal spine and notch, and a compressible liner to absorb and dissipate impact energy without detaching from the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bird strike protection methods (bird bagging or bird bouncing) are used, then windshield penetration is prevented, but windshield thickness must be increased or structure made heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The corner support is divided into multiple functional segments: mounting tabs for attachment, a transverse web for structural connection, a longitudinal spine for energy absorption, and a compressible liner for impact cushioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring overall thickness increase
Solution Approach 2:
The corner support uses composite construction combining a rigid transverse web (aluminum alloy or composite material) with a compressible liner (foam or rubber material). This composite structure provides both structural integrity for mounting and energy absorption capability, preventing penetration without increasing overall weight
2Reliability
If tempered glass material is used for bird strike protection, then impact energy is dissipated by crushing the bird, but the material may shatter and impede pilot visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible liner acts as an intermediary between the rigid transverse web and the windshield/bird impact. It provides a progressive deformation mechanism that absorbs impact energy through compression rather than shattering, eliminating the visibility obstruction problem while maintaining energy dissipation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The corner support transitions from rigid (transverse web) to compressible (liner) material properties along the impact path. This parameter change allows the structure to provide initial rigidity for mounting while enabling progressive compression for energy absorption without shattering
3Weight of moving object
If polycarbonate material is used to optimize weight and deformation, then impact toughness is improved, but energy absorption capacity may be insufficient without additional structural support
Solution Approach 1:
The corner support merges the rigid structural function (transverse web providing mounting and geometric stability) with the energy absorption function (compressible liner providing impact cushioning). This combination allows polycarbonate windshields to achieve both weight optimization and sufficient energy absorption capacity
4Reliability
If windshield thickness is increased to prevent penetration, then structural integrity is improved, but weight increases and premature failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing windshield thickness, the corner support provides localized reinforcement at the critical corner regions where mounting occurs. The transverse web and longitudinal spine create a rigid framework precisely where needed, while the rest of the windshield can remain thin and lightweight
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
This solution enhances energy absorption and reduces windshield deflection during a bird strike, preventing penetration and maintaining structural integrity while allowing the use of thinner materials, thus meeting regulatory requirements without significant weight increases.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible liner to absorb and dissipate impact energy
Implementation Method 2
The energy attenuating windshield corner support is configured to deform upon an impact to a windshield
Implementation Method 3
the aircraft windshield corner support to deform upon the impact to the windshield disposed in the windshield frame, attenuating energy of the impact
Implementation Method 4
enhances energy absorption and reduces windshield deflection during a bird strike
Data Source
AI summary
In an aircraft, the airframe includes a windshield frame, with an energy attenuating windshield corner support extending across a corner of the windshield frame. The energy attenuating windshield corner support is configured to deform upon an impact to a windshield disposed in the windshield frame. This energy attenuating windshield corner support may be shaped and/or sized to enable, and/or comprised of a material that enables, the aircraft windshield corner support to deform upon the impact to the windshield disposed in the windshield frame, attenuating energy of the impact to the windshield disposed in the windshield frame.