Aircraft Engine Pylon Mounting With Downstream Vibration Damper
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft turbomachine attachment systems to pylons result in deformations and clearance modifications between rotors and stators due to transmitted forces, affecting performance and operability, while cantilevered mounting introduces issues like unbalanced loads and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a damper connected to the turbomachine and pylon in a plane perpendicular to the turbomachine's axis downstream of the combustion chamber, which limits relative movements and vibrations without transmitting forces, acting as a flexible connection during normal operation and switching to a rigid connection for ultimate operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the turbomachine is mounted with upstream and downstream suspension components on the pylon, then the turbomachine is securely supported, but forces are transmitted between attachment points causing deformations and clearance changes that affect performance
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into two functional zones: upstream suspension components for force transmission and structural support, and a downstream damper for vibration isolation. This segmentation allows the front part to handle loads while the rear part protects against vibrations, resolving the contradiction between secure support and precision maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The damper acts as an intermediary element between the turbomachine and pylon at the downstream location. It mediates the interaction by absorbing vibrations and limiting relative displacements without transmitting forces, thereby protecting the clearance between rotors and stators while maintaining overall structural support
2Manufacturing precision
If the turbomachine is cantilevered from the pylon by suspending only the front part, then force transmission and deformations are eliminated, but the rear part lacks support leading to excessive displacements, vibrations, and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The downstream damper introduces a dynamic element to the otherwise static cantilevered mounting. It provides conditional support that activates only when relative displacements exceed predetermined thresholds, allowing the system to maintain precision while gaining stability through controlled, motion-dependent intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The damper changes the system's mechanical parameters dynamically: it transitions from a rigid constraint to a flexible, vibration-damping connection based on the amplitude of relative movements. This parameter change allows the rear part to have freedom for thermal expansion and minor movements while preventing excessive displacements and vibrations
3Stability of the object's composition
If a damper is added downstream to limit relative displacements without transmitting forces, then vibrations are reduced and stability improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper is designed as a relatively simple, maintenance-oriented component compared to the complex turbomachine system. It serves as a sacrificial element that absorbs vibrations and wear, protecting the more critical and expensive upstream suspension components and the turbomachine itself
Solution Approach 2:
The damper is designed to be replaceable and may require periodic maintenance or replacement after absorbing significant vibrations and loads. This discarding approach allows the main turbomachine system to be preserved while the simpler damper component is periodically serviced, managing complexity through planned replacement rather than permanent complex integration
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 reduces vibrations and loads on the turbomachine, maintaining performance by damping movements and ensuring structural integrity during extreme conditions, while avoiding excessive movements and resonance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one damper which connects the turbomachine to the pylon and which is located in a plane perpendicular to the axis located downstream of the combustion chamber, This damper is configured to limit relative displacements between the turbomachine and the pylon without transmitting forces
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Assembly comprising an aircraft turbine engine (10) and a pylon (32) for mounting the turbine engine to an element of the aircraft, the pylon comprising members (34, 36) for suspending the turbine engine (10), said members being connected to the turbine engine in at least one plane (P1) which is perpendicular to the axis (A) and which is located upstream of the combustion chamber (18) of the turbine engine, such that the turbomachine (10) is cantilevered to the pylon (32), characterised in that it further comprises at least one damper (40) which connects the turbomachine (10) to the pylon (32) and which is located in a plane (P2) perpendicular to the axis (A) located downstream of the combustion chamber (18), said damper (40) being configured to limit the relative movements between the turbine engine (10) and the pylon (32) without transmitting force.