Flywheel Ring Tuned Mass Damping for Launch Resonance Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flywheel devices for spacecraft stabilization face challenges in reducing undesired resonance vibrations, which can lead to excessive bearing loads and potential damage during rocket launches due to high friction and resonance issues.

Innovation Solution

A flywheel design incorporating a vibration damping device with a tuned mass damper that is axially movable relative to the flywheel ring, combined with a support structure featuring damping rings and fastening means that allow for axial and radial movement, to counteract resonance vibrations and absorb energy through frictional dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the flywheel mass is positioned outward at largest possible diameter to achieve efficient gyroscopic effect, then the gyroscopic stabilization performance is improved, but the moment of inertia increases which can exacerbate resonance vibrations during launch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegyroscopic stabilization performanceVSAvoidresonance vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies tuned mass dampers that utilize the resonance phenomenon itself to counteract harmful vibrations. The dampers are tuned to resonate at the same frequency as the flywheel's critical modes, creating counter-vibrations that cancel out the harmful resonance effects during launch, thus converting the harmful resonance into a beneficial vibration cancellation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure combining the flywheel ring with integrated tuned mass dampers. This composite design allows the flywheel to maintain its high moment of inertia for gyroscopic stability while the integrated dampers provide vibration suppression, creating a unified structure that addresses both performance and resonance issues simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the bearing unit size is increased to survive launch loads, then the bearing load capacity is improved, but the friction increases which reduces flywheel efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing load capacityVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vibration damping measures before the harmful effects manifest during operation. By pre-installing tuned mass dampers on the flywheel structure, the system prepares for launch vibrations in advance, cushioning the bearing loads from resonance-induced peaks before they can cause excessive friction and energy loss during flight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Manufacturing precision

If the flywheel structure is made rigid to maintain precision, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the resonance vibrations increase during launch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidresonance vibrations

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the flywheel structure by adding discrete tuned mass dampers that are coupled to the rigid flywheel ring. This segmentation allows the main flywheel structure to maintain its rigidity and manufacturing precision while the separate damper elements provide vibration absorption, effectively decoupling the structural integrity function from the vibration suppression function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 resonance vibrations, minimizing bearing loads and preventing damage by dissipating kinetic energy as frictional heat, thereby enhancing the stability and durability of the flywheel during launch and operation.

Implementation Method 1

Due to a corresponding adjustment of the tuned mass damper means, it is possible that the tuned mass damper means, which is axially movable back and forth to the flywheel ring, builds up a counter-vibration in order to reduce, i.e. to 'absorb ', the strong vibration of the flywheel ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

the flywheel, especially the external flywheel ring, can be brought into a dangerous resonance vibration through a corresponding vibrational effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

dissipating kinetic energy as frictional heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11492144B2Flywheel having tuned mass dampers

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 ROCKWELL COLLINS DEUTLAND

AI summary

The invention relates to a flywheel for stabilising the position of a spacecraft, comprising a hub means (1) for fastening the flywheel, a flywheel ring (4), which externally surrounds the hub means (1) circumferentially at a distance, a support means (3) for supporting the flywheel ring (4) on the hub means (1), and a vibration damping device (6, 8) having a tuned mass damper means (8) which is axially movable back and forth relative to the flywheel ring with respect to a rotation axis of the flywheel.