Granular Arrestor System with Segmented Containment Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Engineered Material Arresting Systems (EMAS) face challenges in providing cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally resistant solutions for arresting aircraft movement, particularly in constrained spaces, while also needing to withstand jet blast and maintain structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A mixed-mode approach using containment cells filled with loose granular spherical expanded glass particles, which provide a controllable deceleration force by restricting material flow and increasing compaction, combined with frangible cell walls and lids for optimal arresting performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional EMAS materials are used to arrest aircraft movement, then deceleration force is provided, but material flow is uncontrolled and compaction is insufficient leading to reduced arresting efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The EMAS bed is divided into multiple containment cells, each independently containing granular material. This segmentation allows control over material flow and compaction in each cell, improving arresting efficiency while maintaining the required deceleration force.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and flow characteristics of the granular material by confining it within containment cells. This parameter change controls material flow and increases compaction, thereby improving arresting efficiency without sacrificing deceleration force.
2Productivity
If containment cells with frangible walls are used to control material flow, then arresting efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into standardized containment cells that can be manufactured and installed modularly. While this creates multiple components, the modular nature simplifies installation and maintenance, partially offsetting the complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment cells use frangible walls that are thin and flexible enough to break under aircraft load but sufficient to contain the granular material during normal operation. This reduces the amount of material and structural complexity needed compared to rigid containment structures.
3Ease of manufacture
If loose granular spherical expanded glass particles are used as arresting medium, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but environmental resistance and structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses expanded glass particles, which are composite material formed by expanding glass cullet. This provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional foam materials while maintaining environmental resistance and structural integrity through the inherent properties of the glass-based composite.
Solution Approach 2:
The expanded glass particles have a porous structure that allows them to deform and absorb energy during aircraft arrestment. This porous structure maintains the material's ability to provide consistent arresting force while being cost-effective and environmentally resistant.
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 offers a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally resistant aircraft arrestor system that can dissipate kinetic energy while minimizing damage from jet blast, with the ability to arrest aircraft at speeds up to 70 knots and maintain structural integrity during overrun events.
Implementation Method 1
The arrestor system provides a controllable deceleration force on aircraft landing gear by restricting material flow and increasing compaction
Implementation Method 2
The arrestor system provides a controllable deceleration force on aircraft landing gear by restricting material flow and increasing compaction
Implementation Method 3
as the EMAS material deforms
Implementation Method 4
frangible cell walls and lids for optimal arresting performance
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft arrestor system which provides a controllable deceleration force for an aircraft during an overrun event is disclosed. The arrestor systems arrest aircraft movement by creating a controllable deceleration force or drag force on the aircraft's landing gear. The aircraft arrestor system comprises an arresting medium which is contained by a plurality of adjacent containment cells. The arresting medium comprises smooth and rounded expanded glass particles which are loose and unbroken. The particles also have a controlled size range of about 0.04 inches to about 0.75 inches, and at least about 75% of the particles have a minimum size which is not less than about ¼ of the size of the largest particles.