Liquid Vibration Isolator with Oscillatory Pumping for Broad Tuning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft vibration control systems, such as tuned mass absorbers and dampers, are either heavy or ineffective at frequencies outside their tuned range, leading to inefficiencies in mitigating vibrations across a broad spectrum.
Innovation Solution
An oscillatory pumping system that adjusts the frequency response of a liquid inertia isolator by oscillating active pistons within a fluidic channel, allowing for selective modification of the isolator's frequency range and damping characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a tuned mass absorber is used to counteract vibrations, then vibration mitigation is achieved, but the system becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a liquid inertia isolator where fluid (hydraulic medium) is contained in a chamber with a passive piston. The fluid's inertia provides the vibration counteracting force, replacing traditional heavy solid mass absorbers with a lighter fluid-based system that achieves the same vibration mitigation effect through hydraulic principles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs active pistons driven by motors to dynamically adjust the volume of fluid in the isolator chamber, changing the inertia parameter of the liquid mass in real-time. This allows the system to adapt to varying vibration frequencies and amplitudes, maintaining effectiveness without requiring excessive weight
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a damper is used to dissipate energy and reduce vibrations, then vibration reduction is achieved, but energy is lost as heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses active pistons that oscillate periodically to modulate the fluid volume in the isolator chamber. This periodic action creates time-varying inertia forces that counteract vibrations without requiring continuous energy dissipation, allowing the system to reduce vibrations while minimizing energy loss compared to conventional dampers
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an isolator is tuned to a specific frequency to reduce vibration transmissibility, then vibration isolation is achieved at that frequency, but the system is ineffective at frequencies outside the tuned range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms a static, fixed-tuned isolator into a dynamic system by using active pistons to continuously adjust the fluid volume and inertia of the liquid mass. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the isolator's natural frequency to be tuned in real-time, enabling effective vibration isolation across a broad frequency range rather than being limited to a single fixed frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect vibration characteristics and feeds this information to control systems that adjust the active pistons accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the isolator to adapt to changing vibration conditions and maintain optimal performance across varying frequencies
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
Enhances vibration isolation by effectively counteracting vibrations across a wider frequency range, reducing the weight and energy dissipation issues associated with traditional systems, thereby improving structural integrity and reducing vibration transmissibility.
Implementation Method 1
An absorber counteracts vibrations based on inertia of an object such as a mass being out-of-phase with the vibration
Implementation Method 2
The two motors are operable to selectively change the frequency response of the passive piston based on oscillating the one or more active piston
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an oscillatory pumping system comprises: one or more active piston, a fluid, and two motors. The one or more active piston is disposed in a channel fluidically coupling two fluid chambers. The passive piston has a frequency response operable to counteract a vibratory displacement. The fluid is disposed in the channel and the two fluid chambers. The two motors couple to the one or more active piston. The two motors are operable to selectively change the frequency response of the passive piston based on oscillating the one or more active piston.