Heat Shield Retaining Clip With Migration Stop for Aircraft Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft wheels face heat transfer issues due to braking systems, which can stress the wheels and tires, and existing heat shield retention systems are inadequate in preventing axial movement during aircraft operation.
Innovation Solution
A retaining clip with a U-shaped cross section and migration stop, along with a tab for receiving a torque bar, is designed to securely fasten a heat shield to the aircraft wheel assembly, resisting axial movement and heat transfer by interfacing with U-shaped hooks and a torque bar to maintain the heat shield's annular shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heat shield is positioned between the wheel and braking system, then heat transfer to the wheel is reduced, but the heat shield may experience axial movement during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip is divided into distinct functional segments: a U-shaped body for engagement, a migration stop at the inboard end to prevent outward movement, and a tab at the outboard end for torque bar engagement to prevent inward movement. This segmentation allows each portion to address specific movement directions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining clip acts as an intermediary component between the heat shield and the wheel assembly. It interfaces with the heat shield through the U-shaped body engaging the shield's features, and interfaces with the wheel assembly through the tab and torque bar, thereby mediating the connection and preventing axial migration.
2Reliability
If existing retention systems are used, then the heat shield can be attached to the wheel, but axial movement cannot be adequately prevented during aircraft operation
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip employs asymmetric design where the migration stop extends only at the inboard end (first end) rather than being symmetric at both ends. The tab is positioned offset from the centerline. This asymmetric configuration provides differential restraint against axial movement in opposite directions, with the migration stop preventing outboard movement and the tab-torque bar interface preventing inboard movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses axial movement prevention by introducing features that extend in the axial dimension: the migration stop extends axially past the outer edge of the U-shaped body, and the tab extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to engage the torque bar. These dimensional extensions provide mechanical interference that restrains axial migration.
3Device complexity
If the retaining clip allows axial movement, then the structure remains simple, but the heat shield integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining clip merges multiple retention functions into a single integrated component. The U-shaped body, migration stop, and tab are combined into one piece that simultaneously provides radial retention (U-shape), axial restraint in one direction (migration stop), and axial restraint in the opposite direction (tab with torque bar). This consolidation achieves comprehensive restraint without requiring multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining clip is designed as a multi-functional component that performs several functions: (1) radial retention of the heat shield through the U-shaped body, (2) prevention of outboard axial movement via the migration stop, (3) prevention of inboard axial movement via the tab-torque bar interface, and (4) structural connection between the heat shield and wheel assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A retaining clip (212) for constraining a heat shield (208) for use with an aircraft wheel assembly. The retaining clip includes a first end (214) and a second end (216) axially opposite the first end, the first end being opposite the second end along a longitudinal axis (A-A'). The retaining clip further includes a first side (300) and a second side (302) each having a curvature forming a U-shaped cross section such that an outer edge of each of the first side and the second side extends back towards the longitudinal axis. The retaining clip further includes a migration stop (308) defined by the first side at the first end, the migration stop extending past the outer edge of the second side and configured to interface with hooks (210) of the heat shield to resist axial movement of the retaining clip relative to the heat shield.