Fire Detector Mounting Assembly With Metal Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire and overheat detection systems in aircraft and gas turbine engines face challenges with vibration damping due to high temperatures, which can cause materials like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to change state, limiting their ability to effectively dampen vibrations and protect sensor elements.
Innovation Solution
A mounting support assembly that includes a support tube connector with a captive space and a biasing element, such as wave springs, to provide vibration damping and secure attachment to an engine case bracket, using materials like steel or stainless steel that maintain effectiveness at high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If polymeric materials or PTFE are used for vibration damping, then vibration damping capability is improved, but temperature resistance deteriorates as materials become brittle or melt at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from temperature-sensitive polymeric/PTFE materials to temperature-resistant metallic materials (stainless steel, Inconel). The metallic biasing element maintains its mechanical properties and vibration damping capability across the full operating temperature range, resolving the contradiction between vibration damping and temperature resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite mounting assembly structure combining metallic biasing elements with support tube connectors and fasteners. This composite construction integrates the advantages of metallic materials (temperature resistance) while maintaining vibration damping functionality through the elastic deformation characteristics of the metallic biasing element.
2Temperature
If thermal detectors are positioned away from engine structure, then protection from direct heat contact is improved, but vibration damping capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a metallic biasing element as an intermediary component between the support tube connector and the engine mounting structure. This biasing element serves as a mediator that simultaneously provides vibration damping through its elastic properties and maintains thermal protection by keeping the detector assembly at a distance from direct engine heat sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic mounting system where the metallic biasing element can elastically deform to absorb vibrations while maintaining the spatial positioning of thermal detectors away from hot engine surfaces. The dynamic elasticity of the metallic spring allows continuous adaptation to vibration conditions without compromising thermal protection.
3Temperature
If metallic materials are used for biasing elements, then temperature resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mounting assembly into distinct functional components: support tube connector, metallic biasing element, and fastener. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using appropriate processes for metallic materials, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining temperature resistance.
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 reduces vibration amplitudes and stress on sensor elements, enhancing the reliability and lifespan of fire and overheat detection systems by providing robust vibration damping in high-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element arranged about the fastener and positioned between an end of the fastener and the first portion of the support tube connector, the biasing element biasing the fastener in a direction toward the second portion
Data Source
AI summary
Mounting support assemblies for fire and overheat detection systems are described. The mounting support assemblies include a support tube connector having a first portion and a second portion, wherein a captive space is defined between the first portion and the second portion, a fastener arranged at least partially within the captive space and passing through the first portion of the support tube connector, and a biasing element arranged about the fastener and positioned between an end of the fastener and the first portion of the support tube connector, the biasing element biasing the fastener in a direction toward the second portion.