Heat Shield Retainer Standoffs for Wheel Assembly Wear Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft wheel and brake assemblies face issues with heat shield movement and distortion, leading to wear on the heat shield and wheel components due to inadequate fastening, which can cause damage and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of heat shield retainers with flanges and bumper standoffs that secure the heat shield in place, maintaining alignment and preventing deflection, while using conical or rectangular bumper standoffs to minimize weight and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the heat shield is not fastened directly to the wheel, then the heat shield can move radially and circumferentially, but this movement and distortion leads to wear on the heat shield and wheel components
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield retainer is divided into multiple functional segments: a body portion with circumferential grooves for positioning, flanges for radial engagement, and bumper standoffs for axial positioning. This segmentation allows each element to address specific aspects of heat shield stabilization independently, preventing wear while maintaining necessary movement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The heat shield retainer acts as an intermediary component between the heat shield and the wheel assembly. It provides the fastening function without directly attaching the heat shield to the wheel, thereby preventing wear on both the heat shield and wheel components while maintaining the desired movement characteristics
2Reliability
If traditional heat shield fastening methods are used, then the heat shield is secured in place, but the complexity of the fastening system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening functions are merged into a single integrated retainer component. The circumferential grooves, flanges, and bumper standoffs work together as one unified structure to provide comprehensive heat shield positioning and stabilization, eliminating the need for multiple separate fastening elements
Solution Approach 2:
The heat shield retainer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it positions the heat shield radially through flange engagement, positions it axially through bumper standoffs, and maintains circumferential alignment through grooves. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate components for each function
3Strength
If conventional bumper standoff designs are used, then adequate support is provided, but weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper standoffs utilize conical geometry instead of traditional cylindrical or rectangular shapes. This parameter change in shape provides adequate structural support and strength while reducing material usage and consequently reducing weight and manufacturing cost
Data Source
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AI summary
A heat shield for a wheel assembly may comprise a plurality of heat shield segments (122), a plurality of shield bumpers (142) may be coupled to a radially outward surface of each heat shield segment, and a plurality of heat shield retainers (130) coupled to the plurality of heat shield segments. Each heat shield retainer may include a first bumper standoff (148a) and a second bumper standoff (148b) located over a first radially outward surface (160) of the heat shield retainer. Each of the first bumper standoff (148a) and the second bumper standoff (148b) may comprise an attachment portion coupled to the first radially outward surface (160) of the heat shield retainer and a bumper portion (192) defining a bumper opening (194).