Fluid Elastomeric Damper With Centrifugal Control Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotary wing aircrafts face challenges in controlling troublesome motion of rotating blades due to inadequate damping mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies and potential structural issues during operation.

Innovation Solution

A fluid damper system with a centrifugal force mass member and fluid flow pressure sensing control valve assembly is implemented, which includes a volume compensator channel and fluid-elastomeric chambers to manage fluid pressure and motion, ensuring effective damping of blade vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fluid damper system is implemented to control blade motion, then damping effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple chambers and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damper is divided into multiple working chambers (first and second variable volume chambers) with separate fluid pathways, allowing independent control of damping forces for different motion modes. This segmentation enables targeted damping of specific blade motions while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The damper employs variable volume chambers that dynamically change size during operation, with fluid flow paths that adapt to the blade's motion state. The centrifugal force mass member creates dynamic pressure changes that automatically adjust damping characteristics based on rotational speed and motion conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stress or pressure

If centrifugal force mass member is used to pressurize fluid, then fluid pressure control is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid pressure controlVSAvoidchannel alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The centrifugal force mass member automatically generates fluid pressure based on the rotor's rotational speed without requiring external control systems. The system self-regulates pressure according to operating conditions, reducing the need for precision-manufactured pressure control mechanisms while maintaining effective fluid pressurization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If fluid-elastomeric chambers are used for volume compensation, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume compensation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The damper incorporates fluid-elastomeric chambers that use flexible elastomeric materials to provide volume compensation. These flexible chambers automatically adjust their volume in response to pressure changes and fluid displacement, providing adaptability without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The elastomeric nature allows for relatively simple manufacturing processes compared to rigid precision-machined compensation chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 system effectively dampens blade vibrations, enhancing operational stability and reducing structural stress by utilizing centrifugal force to pressurize the fluid and control fluid flow through the damper, thereby improving rotor performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a volume compensator channel in fluid communication with the damper fluid, the volume compensator channel including a centrifugal force mass member movable along a volume compensating length of the volume compensator channel, wherein a rotation about the rotation axis forces the centrifugal force mass member towards an outboard end of the volume compensator channel and pushes damper fluid from the volume compensator channel towards the at least first working chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

with the dynamic pressure differences reacting against the control valve which displaces the valve and changes the orifice area to reduce, maintain or increase fluid flow through the orifice conduit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure sensing: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

a fluid damping flow valve controlled orifice conduit and a fluid flow pressure sensing control valve assembly between the first variable volume working chamber and the second variable volume working chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2601099B1Fluid elastomeric damper assembly including internal pumping mechanism and control valve
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 LORD CORP
  • EP2601099B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2601099B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2601099B1 patent drawingFigure 4A

AI summary

A rotary wing system with a rotating blade and a fluid damper with a damper fluid in a first variable volume chamber and a second variable volume chamber, with a fluid damping flow valve controlled conduit and a fluid flow pressure sensing control valve assembly between the first variable volume chamber and the second variable volume chamber. The fluid flow pressure sensing control valve assembly has a fluid flow pressure sensing control valve assembly control valve for obstructing a damper fluid flow through the fluid damping flow valve controlled conduit. A working of the first variable volume chamber and the second variable volume chamber by rotary wing motions actuates the opening of the fluid flow pressure sensing control valve assembly control valve that obstructs the damper fluid flow through the fluid damping flow valve controlled conduit.