Aircraft Engine Equipment Mount With Backup Retention for Damper Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration dampers used to secure equipment on aircraft engine casings are prone to failure and rapid deterioration due to violent shocks and low-frequency vibrations during engine shutdown, leading to a high risk of equipment detachment and damage to the nacelle.
Innovation Solution
A safety device is introduced that includes a middle part capable of covering the vibration damper and independent fixing means to the casing, providing additional security and retention, allowing the equipment to remain secured even in the event of vibration damper failure, with a design that includes a flat plate or cables for attachment, and an elastomeric seal for shock absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vibration dampers are used to secure equipment on the nacelle, then the equipment is isolated from vibrations and shocks, but the vibration dampers are prone to failure and rapid deterioration due to violent shocks and low-frequency vibrations during engine shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a safety device that acts as a backup support system installed beforehand on the nacelle. This safety device includes support elements positioned to catch equipment if vibration dampers fail, and energy-absorbing elements designed to cushion impacts. By preparing this protective structure in advance, the system can withstand extreme events like fan blade strikes without equipment detachment, effectively cushioning against the rapid deterioration and failure of vibration dampers during windmilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the mounting system by adding a second level of support with different mechanical properties. The safety device uses rigid support elements for structural integrity and separate energy-absorbing elements for shock mitigation, creating a dual-mode support system. This parameter change allows the system to transition from relying solely on elastic vibration dampers to a hybrid system that maintains equipment security even when dampers deteriorate rapidly during extreme conditions.
2Reliability
If vibration dampers are used to suspend equipment from the nacelle, then the equipment is protected from vibrations, but the equipment may detach and strike the nacelle in the event of damper failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a safety device as an intermediary protective structure between the nacelle and the equipment. This safety device includes support elements that act as intermediate support points, and energy-absorbing elements that mediate the impact forces. When vibration dampers fail, the intermediary safety device prevents direct contact between detaching equipment and the nacelle, thereby eliminating the harmful detachment effect while maintaining reliable equipment suspension during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device is installed beforehand as a protective measure against potential damper failure. The energy-absorbing elements are pre-positioned to cushion any impact from equipment that might detach due to damper failure. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if vibration dampers fail completely, the equipment cannot strike the nacelle with full force, thereby reducing the harmful detachment risk while preserving reliable suspension during normal operation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the vibration damper lifespan is extended to survive windmilling, then equipment security is improved, but the complexity of the fixing means increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fixing system into two independent functional parts: vibration dampers for normal vibration isolation, and a separate safety device with support elements and energy-absorbing elements for extreme event protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other. The vibration dampers can remain simple and effective for their intended purpose, while the added safety device handles the extreme windmilling conditions, thereby extending overall system endurance without excessively complicating the primary vibration damping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device acts as an intermediary structural system that works in conjunction with but is independent of the vibration dampers. The support elements provide alternative mounting points, and the energy-absorbing elements mediate extreme forces during windmilling. This intermediary approach allows the vibration dampers to remain relatively simple while the safety device handles the complex extreme-condition requirements, thereby extending system endurance without making the primary vibration damping fixing means overly complex.
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 safety device effectively maintains equipment in place for extended periods during 'windmilling' phenomena, ensuring the pilot has sufficient time for an emergency landing and preventing equipment detachment, thereby enhancing safety and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a flat gasket is interposed between the middle part of the safety device and an upper end of the first part of the vibration damper
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for supporting and securing a piece of equipment on an aircraft engine or nacelle case, including a vibration damper including a first part secured to the case and a second coaxial part rigidly connected to the piece of equipment, the damper associated with a safety member configured to hold the damper in place on the case in the event of damper failure or breakage. The safety member, which is independent of the damper, is mounted astride the damper and secured to the case.