Hydraulic Shock Mount for Aircraft Engine Accessories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft engine mounts face strain and potential damage due to thermal expansion and vibration, which can lead to failure, especially when heavy accessories are coupled to the accessory gearbox.
Innovation Solution
A shock mount system comprising a cylinder filled with viscous fluid and a telescopically moving piston, coupled to the engine case, provides resistance to displacement and absorbs vibrations, allowing for free thermal expansion while damping rapid movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid mounts are used to support heavy accessories on the engine case, then the accessories are securely supported, but the mounts experience excessive strain and potential damage from thermal expansion and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydraulic shock mount system where a piston moves within a cylinder filled with viscous fluid. The fluid provides both stiffness to support the accessory weight and damping to absorb vibration and thermal expansion effects, resolving the contradiction between needing strong support and avoiding damage from operational stresses
Solution Approach 2:
The shock mount changes the physical state and properties of the mounting system by using fluid dynamics rather than rigid mechanical connections. The viscous fluid's resistance to piston movement provides variable stiffness and damping characteristics that adapt to different operational conditions, allowing the mount to remain strong while absorbing harmful stresses
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid mounts are used to support accessories, then stable support is provided, but thermal expansion causes strain and potential failure of the mounts
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic shock mount allows controlled movement of the piston within the cylinder, enabling the mounting system to accommodate thermal expansion of the engine case while maintaining stable support of the accessory. The viscous fluid provides damping that absorbs expansion forces without causing strain damage
Solution Approach 2:
The shock mount transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system where the piston can move relative to the cylinder. This dynamic capability allows the mount to adapt to thermal expansion while maintaining stability, as the piston movement absorbs expansion forces and the fluid provides continuous damping
3Strength
If rigid mounts are used to support accessories, then vibration resistance is reduced, but the mounts are subjected to excessive strain from engine vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The viscous fluid in the shock mount cylinder provides damping that absorbs engine vibration forces. As the piston moves in response to vibration, the fluid's viscosity creates resistance that dissipates vibrational energy, protecting the accessory and mount from excessive strain while maintaining structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The shock mount converts the harmful vibrational forces into beneficial damping effects. The piston movement induced by vibration is resisted by the viscous fluid, which dissipates the vibrational energy as heat rather than allowing it to propagate as damaging forces to the accessory and mounting structure
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 shock mount system effectively reduces strain on engine components by providing both stiffness and damping, preventing damage from thermal expansion and vibration, thus supporting accessories without rigid mounts.
Implementation Method 1
a cylinder configured to receive a viscous fluid within the cylinder... The fluid may provide stiffness and damping capability to the shock mount
Implementation Method 2
During engine operation, the engine and engine case may grow due to thermal expansion as the engine heats up... Heating the engine case may comprise operating a gas turbine engine within the engine case
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to shock mounts for turbine engine components. A shock mount may be used to mount an accessory gearbox to an engine case. The shock mount may allow free thermal expansion, while providing damping and stiffness in response to vibrations. The shock mount may include a cylinder filled with fluid, and a piston telescopically moveable within the cylinder. The piston may be coupled to an orifice plate. The orifice plate may include orifices through which the fluid may flow in response to compression or extension of the shock mount. The interaction of the fluid and the orifice plate may resist rapid compression or extension of the shock mount while allowing relatively slow compression or extension of the shock mount.