Kinetic Energy Absorption Device for Aircraft Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft and vehicle components are vulnerable to damage from dynamic collisions with hard or soft debris, leading to potential breakage and chain reactions that could result in crashes, necessitating improved kinetic energy absorption solutions.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an outer shell designed to maintain integrity, a compactable core that absorbs kinetic energy, stiffening members made of unidirectional fibers or titanium alloys, and a distribution member for even energy dissipation, which can include diffusion and friction mechanisms to manage exceptional loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional protective measures are used against dynamic collisions, then component strength is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into distinct functional segments: an outer shell for structural integrity, a core made of compactable material for energy absorption, and stiffening members for load distribution. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, reducing overall complexity while maintaining protective effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The core material undergoes parameter changes during impact, transitioning from a loose compactable state to a densely compacted state. This parameter change enables the material to absorb kinetic energy efficiently without requiring complex mechanical structures, thereby reducing device complexity while improving strength.
2Strength
If conventional protective measures are used against dynamic collisions, then component strength is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compactable core material changes its density parameter during impact, transitioning from a low-density state during normal operation to a high-density state during collision. This parameter change enables effective energy absorption with minimal material mass, reducing device weight while maintaining protective strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple materials with complementary properties: the outer shell provides structural integrity, the compactable core material provides energy absorption, and stiffening members provide load distribution. This composite approach achieves superior protective strength without the weight penalty of a single-material solution.
3Loss of energy
If kinetic energy is absorbed through material deformation, then energy absorption capacity is improved, but outer shell integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the energy absorption function from the structural integrity function. The core and stiffening members are dedicated to energy absorption through deformation and compaction, while the outer shell is dedicated to maintaining structural integrity. This functional segmentation allows the shell to remain intact while internal components absorb energy through controlled deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening members act as intermediaries between the outer shell and the compactable core material. They distribute loads from the shell to the core, enabling energy absorption while preventing stress concentrations that could compromise shell integrity. The stiffening members mediate the interaction between the shell and core, protecting the shell from direct impact forces.
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 device effectively reduces vulnerability to dynamic collisions by dissipating kinetic energy through various mechanisms, such as breakage, compression, or deformation, thereby enhancing the resistance of aircraft and vehicle components to impacts from debris.
Implementation Method 1
a core made of compactable material at least partially filling the outer shell, the material constituting the core becoming compacted under an exceptional load and absorbing a part of the kinetic energy due to the load
Implementation Method 2
The absorption of the kinetic energy of the exceptional load may take the form of dissipation by breakage of a stiffening member
Implementation Method 3
dissipation by friction between a stiffening member and the core
Implementation Method 4
dissipation by deformation of the outer shell
Implementation Method 5
a diffusion member for diffusing the exceptional load on the core
Data Source
AI summary
A device to absorb kinetic energy caused by an exceptional load includes an outer casing configured to maintain integrity after the exceptional load. A core of the device is made of a compactable material at least partially filling the outer casing. The core material is compacted under an exceptional load and absorbs some of the kinetic energy caused by the load. At least one stiffness element is incorporated into the core. A distribution element includes each stiffness element. An aircraft, a vehicle, an item of equipment and an installation includes such a device.