Modular Aircraft Damper With Replaceable Elastic Member
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance of existing mixed damping devices is challenging due to the physical link between elastic and hydraulic components, leading to costly actions when the elastic members, particularly made of elastomer, reach the end of their limited lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A modular damping device design featuring a hydraulic system and an elastic member operating in parallel, where the elastic member is separate from the hydraulic system, allowing for independent maintenance without disassembling the entire device, and a monitoring system to detect hydraulic fluid leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic members and hydraulic system are physically linked in a mixed damping device, then the device can provide combined elastic and hydraulic damping functions, but maintenance becomes difficult and costly when elastic members reach their limited lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is divided into separate functional modules: an elastic member assembly and a hydraulic system assembly. Each module can be independently maintained or replaced without affecting the other, resolving the maintenance difficulty caused by physical linkage in traditional mixed dampers
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is extracted from the hydraulic system as a separate replaceable component. This allows the elastic member to be removed and replaced independently when it reaches the end of its lifespan, eliminating the need to dismantle the entire hydraulic system for maintenance
2Reliability
If elastic members made of elastomer are used in damping devices, then adequate damping performance can be achieved, but the limited lifespan of elastomer leads to costly maintenance actions
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is designed as a disposable component with limited lifespan. When it wears out, it can be replaced with a new one without replacing the entire damping device or hydraulic system, reducing maintenance costs despite the limited lifespan of elastomer
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is designed to be discarded after reaching its lifespan and can be recovered/replaced independently from the hydraulic system, allowing cost-effective maintenance by only replacing the worn component rather than the entire device
3Reliability
If complete dismantling of damping device is necessary to replace elastic member, then proper replacement can be ensured, but maintenance time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is segmented into modular assemblies that can be independently accessed and maintained. The elastic member assembly can be removed and replaced without dismantling the hydraulic system, significantly reducing maintenance time while ensuring proper replacement procedures
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
Facilitates easier maintenance by allowing the elastic member to be replaced without opening the hydraulic system, optimizing maintenance actions and reducing costs associated with elastomer lifespan limitations, while ensuring reliable operation through leak detection.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member (80) which surrounds a projecting part (43) of the rod, the elastic member comprising at least one elastic means interposed between a first armature (81) and a second armature (82)
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic system (30) which comprises an outer casing (31) housing a hydraulic fluid, the hydraulic system comprising a rod movable in translation relative to the sealed outer casing
Implementation Method 3
a monitoring system to detect hydraulic fluid leaks
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a damping device (7) provided with a first connecting member (10), a second connecting member (20), an elastic member (80) and a hydraulic system (30). The hydraulic system (30) comprises an outer casing (31) and a rod (40), said first connecting member (10) being reversibly fixed to the outer casing (31), said elastic member (80) being disposed around a projecting part (43) of the rod (40), said elastic member (80) comprising at least one elastic means (83) interposed between a first armature (81) and a second armature (82), the first armature (81) being reversibly fixed to said outer casing (31), the second armature (82) being translationally fixed to said projecting part (43), said second connecting member (20) being reversibly fixed to said projecting part (43).