Heat Shield Grommet Geometry for Stable Aircraft Wheel Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft heat shields with split ring structures can move radially and circumferentially, leading to wear on the heat shield and wheel components, and may not expand to their intended diameter during installation, causing damage and corrosion when contacting rotor lugs.
Innovation Solution
A grommet with specific geometric features, including radially outward and inward surfaces, slanted surfaces, and inward protrusions, is integrated into the heat shield assembly to secure the heat shield in place, preventing movement and ensuring proper diameter expansion, thereby reducing wear and contact with rotor lugs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a heat shield with a split ring structure is used, then the heat shield can be installed by passing it through radially inward wheel components, but the heat shield may move radially and circumferentially leading to wear on the heat shield and wheel components
Solution Approach 1:
A grommet is introduced as an intermediary component between the heat shield and the wheel assembly. The grommet includes a body with a bore receiving the heat shield, and protrusions that engage with grooves on the heat shield's outer circumference. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact and movement between the heat shield and wheel components, eliminating wear while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet is divided into functional segments: a body portion for mounting, protrusions for circumferential engagement, and a radially inward extending portion for radial positioning. This segmentation allows each feature to address specific movement issues independently, providing comprehensive stabilization while maintaining installation simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the heat shield is compressed to reduce diameter for installation, then the heat shield can pass by radially inward wheel components, but if it does not expand to intended diameter, it may contact rotor lugs causing damage and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet acts as a mediator that maintains the proper radial position of the heat shield after installation. The radially inward extending portion positioned in the torque bar groove ensures the heat shield expands to its intended diameter and prevents contact with rotor lugs, eliminating damage and corrosion while preserving the compression installation method.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet is pre-positioned on the wheel assembly before the heat shield is installed. This preliminary action ensures that when the heat shield is compressed for installation and subsequently expands, the grommet is already in place to guide and constrain it to the correct diameter, preventing contact with rotor lugs.
3Device complexity
If the heat shield is not secured in place, then the installation process is simpler, but the heat shield may move radially and circumferentially leading to wear on components
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet serves as a securing intermediary that connects the heat shield to the wheel assembly without requiring complex fastening mechanisms. The protrusions engaging with grooves provide automatic mechanical interlocking, securing the heat shield in place while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet and heat shield features work together in a self-securing manner. The protrusions on the grommet engage with grooves on the heat shield, and the radially inward portion engages with the torque bar groove, creating automatic mechanical interlocking that secures the assembly without additional fasteners or complex procedures.
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 grommet effectively stabilizes the heat shield, reducing wear and corrosion by preventing radial and circumferential movement, ensuring proper diameter expansion and minimizing contact with rotor lugs, thus enhancing the durability and performance of the aircraft wheel assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a heat shield, with a split ring structure, may be compressed to reduce the diameter of the heat shield and allow the heat shield to pass by radially inward wheel components... Once in position, the heat shield should expand to its original diameter
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A grommet (170) for a heat shield comprises a radially outward surface (180) and a radially inward surface (182) opposite the radially outward surface. A plug opening (172) is formed in the radially outward surface. An exterior radial surface (186) extends from the radially outward surface to the radially inward surface. A shield groove (174) is formed in the exterior radial surface. An inward protrusion (188) extends radially inward from the radially inward surface.