Aircraft Engine Gas Pipe Damper Segment for Vibration Absorption

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Designing gas pipe elements for aircraft engines poses complex challenges due to structural resistance, temperature, pressure, and dynamic structural effects like vibrations, with existing solutions lacking optimal solutions for weight management and efficient energy transfer.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a damper segment within gas pipes made of metal mesh, featuring a rigid tube with a liner portion and a damper tube that allows for relative movement and vibration absorption, connected via catches and clamps to accommodate dynamic structural changes and energy dissipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid pipe structure is used to ensure structural resistance and strength, then the pipe can withstand temperature and pressure, but the pipe becomes unable to manage dynamic structural effects such as vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural resistanceVSAvoidvibration management

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe is divided into multiple segments (rigid tube and flexible tube portions) that can move relative to each other. The rigid tube provides structural strength while the flexible tube segments absorb vibrations, allowing the system to simultaneously achieve both structural resistance and vibration management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pipe incorporates a flexible tube portion that can dynamically deform and move relative to the rigid tube in response to vibrations. This dynamic flexibility allows the pipe to adapt to dynamic structural effects while maintaining overall structural integrity through the rigid portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a flexible damper tube is used to absorb vibrations, then the pipe can manage dynamic structural effects, but the structural resistance and strength are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration absorptionVSAvoidstructural resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe system is segmented into rigid tube portions that provide structural strength and flexible tube portions that provide vibration absorption. Each segment performs its specialized function while contributing to the overall system performance, allowing simultaneous achievement of both strength and vibration management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the pipe have different mechanical properties - the rigid tube portions are designed for strength and structural resistance, while the flexible tube portions are designed for vibration absorption. This local differentiation of material properties allows each portion to optimize its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If traditional pipe designs are used to ensure structural integrity, then the pipe can withstand pressure and temperature, but the weight becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidpipe weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pipe uses different materials and structures in different portions - rigid tube portions where structural integrity is critical and flexible tube portions where weight reduction is prioritized. This local differentiation allows weight optimization without compromising overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pipe system combines different types of tube materials (rigid and flexible) in a composite structure. This allows the system to leverage the strength of rigid materials where needed and the weight advantages of flexible materials in other portions, achieving optimal balance between structural integrity and weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 configuration enhances structural flexibility and vibration absorption, improving the engine's efficiency and durability by managing dynamic structural effects and energy transfer within the engine's pressurized gas paths.

Implementation Method 1

a damper tube extending between the rigid tube and the distal end, the damper tube being made of a metal mesh

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

the damper tube having an unsupported length extending between the distal catch and the proximal catch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy dissipation: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentUS12188364B2Damper segment for pressurized gas pipe of aircraft engine

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP

AI summary

The damper segment can be assembled between adjacent segments of a pressurized gas pipe of an aircraft engine. The damper segment can have a proximal end, a distal end, a rigid tube at the proximal end, a damper tube extending between the rigid tube and the distal end, the damper tube being made of a metal mesh, a proximal catch structurally connecting a proximal end of the damper tube to the rigid tube, and a distal catch structurally connected between a distal end of the damper tube and the distal end, the damper tube having an unsupported length extending between the distal catch and the proximal catch, the rigid tube having a liner portion projecting into the distal segment, the liner portion extending internally relative the damper tube.