Impact Resistant Sandwich Structure with Trigger Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sandwich core solutions in aircraft structures lack an effective layered trigger mechanism to maximize impact energy absorption and prevent impactor fragmentation and progressive failure during high-speed impacts.
Innovation Solution
A sandwich core architecture with alternating layers of spacing and trigger layers, where the trigger layers are designed to fragment impacting objects, with thicker and possibly inclined walls compared to spacing layers, enhancing energy absorption and core failure mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional sandwich core solutions are used, then weight efficiency is maintained, but impact energy absorption capability is insufficient and impactor fragmentation cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The core is divided into multiple layers with alternating spacing layers and trigger layers. This segmentation allows the structure to progressively absorb impact energy through controlled failure of individual trigger layers, preventing single-point catastrophic failure while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers are assigned different functions: spacing layers maintain core continuity and structural support, while trigger layers are specifically designed with higher mass density and thicker walls to fragment impactors. This local differentiation optimizes each layer's contribution to energy absorption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If trigger layers with thicker walls are used to fragment impactors, then energy absorption improves, but core manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex core structure is segmented into repeating units of spacing layers and trigger layers. This modular approach simplifies manufacturing by allowing standardized production of layer pairs, reducing overall complexity despite the sophisticated functionality of individual layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger layers utilize parameter changes in wall thickness and material density to achieve fragmentor capability. By systematically varying these parameters in alternating layers, the design achieves complex functionality through controlled parameter modulation rather than intricate geometric complexity.
3Reliability
If alternating spacing and trigger layers are implemented, then impactor fragmentation is enhanced, but structural homogeneity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heterogeneous core structure is organized into regularly repeating segments of spacing and trigger layers. This periodic segmentation creates a predictable failure progression pattern, where impact energy is systematically distributed across multiple homogeneous repeating units, enhancing reliability despite material heterogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The alternating layer design creates local quality variations optimized for specific functions: spacing layers provide structural continuity while trigger layers provide fragmentation capability. This localized functional differentiation enhances impact resistance by ensuring that each region contributes its specialized property to the overall response.
Data Source
AI summary
A sandwich structure architecture for high speed impact resistant structure includes sandwich skins which enclose a sandwich core formed by a plurality of spacing layers and a plurality of trigger layers, wherein these layers are stacked alternatively in the core. The walls of the trigger layers are thicker than the walls of the spacing layers and/or the walls of the trigger layers include at least one part inclined with respect to the walls of the spacing layers. The spacing and the trigger layers are made of the same type of material, preferably composite materials or metallic materials. The structure is capable of absorbing high-speed impacts, and at the same time can be used as load carrying structure in aircraft fuselages, wings, vertical or horizontal stabilizers.