Magnetorheological Fluid Balancing for Aircraft Engine Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft engines experience mass imbalance and vibration due to fan blade fragmentation during operation, which is not effectively mitigated by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A magnetorheological fluid system with embedded magnetic particles and electromagnets is used to maintain engine balance by detecting missing fan blades and attracting magnetic particles to compensate for the missing mass, ensuring radial alignment and rotational synchronization with the fan blades.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fan blade containment systems are used, then fan blade fragmentation is contained, but mass imbalance and vibration occur when a blade is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefan blade containmentVSAvoidmass imbalance and vibration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies counterweight principle by using magnetic particles that are attracted to electromagnets positioned opposite to missing fan blades. When a blade is lost, the system activates electromagnets to gather magnetic particles, creating a counterbalancing mass that offsets the imbalance caused by the missing blade, thereby reducing vibration and maintaining engine balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If mass compensation is added to compensate for missing fan blades, then vibration is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration reductionVSAvoidbalancing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical balancing systems with an electromagnetic field-based system. Instead of using mechanical counterweights or movable masses, the system uses electromagnets to control magnetic particles, allowing for dynamic and rapid adjustment of balance without complex mechanical linkages or moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state and distribution of magnetic particles through electromagnetic field activation. By controlling the magnetic properties and spatial distribution of particles via electromagnets, the system dynamically adjusts mass distribution to compensate for missing blades without adding complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If dynamic mass adjustment is implemented, then engine balance is maintained during operation, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine balance stabilityVSAvoidelectromagnet energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic or intermittent activation of electromagnets rather than continuous operation. Electromagnets are activated only when imbalance is detected (when a fan blade is missing), allowing the system to maintain balance while minimizing energy consumption by keeping electromagnets deactivated during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor engine balance status and activate electromagnets only when needed. This feedback-controlled approach ensures that energy is consumed only when mass compensation is required, rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining engine balance stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system effectively maintains engine balance by attracting magnetic particles to the location of missing fan blades, reducing oscillation and vibration, and ensuring mass balance within the engine, thereby stabilizing the aircraft.

Implementation Method 1

the balancing control unit is configured to activate one or more of the electromagnets when one or more of the presence signals are not detected, wherein the one or more electromagnets that are activated attract the magnetic particles to compensate for missing mass of at least one of the fan blades

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

the housing is configured to rotate at the same angular velocity as the fan blades so that a radial alignment between the fan blades and the electromagnets is maintained

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational synchronization:

Data Source

PatentEP3845739B1Balancing systems and methods for an engine of an aircraft

Publication Date: 2024.08.07 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

A balancing system (100) and method for an engine (102) of an aircraft (104) includes a housing (110) retaining a magnetorheological fluid (112) including magnetic particles (116) within a carrier fluid (114). Electromagnets are coupled to the housing (110). The electromagnets are associated with fan blades (106) of the engine (102). A balancing control unit (122) is in communication with the electromagnets and sensors (108) of the fan blades (106).