Gearbox Mounting System With Corrugated Bushing for Vibration Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines experience vibrations that impart undesirable loads to the gearbox, leading to potential damage and inefficiency, as existing mounting systems fail to effectively mitigate these vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A mounting system for gearboxes that incorporates a sleeve with a damping member and a corrugated bushing, where the corrugated bushing is positioned between the damping member and the gearbox end, featuring a bushing sleeve and corrugations that define a bushing outer perimeter, allowing for load sharing and reduced stiffness to absorb vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid mounting system is used to couple the gearbox to the engine, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the vibration loads from the engine are directly transmitted to the gearbox causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible mounting system comprising elastomeric elements and corrugated bushings that act as flexible connections between the gearbox and engine. These flexible components absorb vibration loads while maintaining structural integrity, preventing direct transmission of harmful vibrations to the gearbox.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes materials with specific durometer ratings (e.g., 60-90 Shore A for elastomeric elements) and designs corrugated bushings with controlled stiffness characteristics. By carefully selecting and adjusting these physical parameters, the mounting system achieves optimal vibration isolation while maintaining sufficient structural strength.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a soft damping material is used to reduce vibrations, then the vibration isolation is improved, but the load-bearing capacity and structural support are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite mounting structures combining elastomeric damping materials with rigid or semi-rigid components such as corrugated bushings and mounting arms. This composite approach allows the soft elastomeric portion to absorb vibrations while the harder structural portions maintain load-bearing capacity and provide stable mounting support.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into distinct functional segments: elastomeric damping elements for vibration isolation, corrugated bushings for positional alignment and limited movement, and rigid mounting structures for load bearing. Each segment is optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system.
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 reduces the load transferred to the gearbox during engine vibrations, enhancing damping and extending the life of the damping member by distributing loads, thereby improving the overall operational stability and longevity of the gearbox.
Implementation Method 1
The corrugated bushing defines a plurality of undulations that extend tangentially about a bushing outer perimeter of the corrugated bushing
Implementation Method 2
a damping member coupled about the outer perimeter of the sleeve at the first sleeve end
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting system for coupling a gearbox to an engine includes a sleeve having a first sleeve end opposite a second sleeve end, an outer perimeter and a sleeve bore defined through the sleeve from the first sleeve end to the second sleeve end. The mounting system includes a damping member coupled about the outer perimeter of the sleeve at the first sleeve end. The mounting system includes a corrugated bushing coupled about the outer perimeter of the sleeve between the damping member and the second sleeve end.