Multi-Axial Damping Pad Structure for Shock and Rotational Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motion isolators are often ineffective in controlling displacement and dissipating energy in multiple axes, leading to damage from combined loading effects, such as rotational or directional loads, which can cause premature failure of equipment and damage to isolators and supported structures.

Innovation Solution

An energy damping and displacement control device featuring a contact protrusion with a spherical surface configuration and an energy damping pad made of resilient material, where the pad's faces are oriented in planes transverse to each other, allowing for energy damping and motion displacement control in multiple axes by limiting displacement motion at any angle of impact, thereby protecting both the isolator and supported structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wire rope coiled motion isolators are used to isolate enclosures from ship loading effects, then basic motion isolation is provided, but they are ineffective in controlling displacement and dissipating energy in multiple axes, leading to equipment damage from combined loading effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment protectionVSAvoidmulti-axis control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a contact protrusion with spherical surface for multi-directional contact, and a separate energy damping pad with multiple faces oriented in transverse planes. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific functions while working together to provide comprehensive multi-axis protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from single-axis or limited-axis isolation to multi-axis control by introducing a spherical contact surface that can engage with damping pad faces oriented in multiple transverse planes. This dimensional expansion enables the device to handle combined loading effects from various directions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Force

If motion isolators are designed to be soft to minimize high g-force shock impact, then shock absorption in a given direction is improved, but they are not rigid enough to prevent bottoming out under rotational or combined loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock absorptionVSAvoidrotational load resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The device combines a resilient energy damping pad material with a rigid structural framework including the contact protrusion and housing. This composite approach allows the resilient pad to absorb shock forces while the rigid structure prevents excessive deformation and bottoming out under rotational or combined loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The contact protrusion features a spherical surface configuration that enables smooth multi-directional contact with the damping pad faces. This curved geometry allows the device to handle rotational loads and combined loading effects more effectively than flat or angular contact surfaces, distributing forces more evenly across the resilient material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Loss of energy

If softer isolator wire ropes are used to minimize high g-force shock impact, then shock absorption requirement is met, but the isolator may not be rigid enough to prevent bottoming out, which can permanently distort the isolator and degrade its ability to function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshock energy dissipationVSAvoidisolator functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The energy damping pad is positioned and oriented to provide cushioning before the isolator can bottom out or become permanently distorted. The multiple faces oriented in transverse planes ensure that cushioning is available in advance for various loading directions, preventing damage before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy damping pad acts as an intermediary element between the contact protrusion and the isolator structure. It mediates the interaction by absorbing energy and controlling displacement, protecting the isolator from direct impact and permanent distortion while maintaining its ability to function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively restricts motion within a safe range, maintains the integrity of motion isolators, and prevents damage to supported structures by providing consistent and predictable energy absorption and damping across various loading conditions, enhancing the durability and performance of mechanical systems.

Implementation Method 1

an energy damping pad constructed of a resilient material, the energy damping pad having a first face oriented along a first plane, and a second face oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResilient material deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy damping: Damping

Implementation Method 3

displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad is limited by a spherical contact interface between the contact protrusion and at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad at any impact location, at any angle of impact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP4045814B1Multi-axial energy damping and displacement control
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 RAYTHEON CO
  • EP4045814B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4045814B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4045814B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An energy damping and displacement control device is disclosed. The energy damping and displacement control device can include a contact protrusion and an energy damping pad constructed of a resilient material. The energy damping pad can have a first face oriented along a first plane. The energy damping pad can also have a second face oriented along a second plane transverse to the first plane, and toward the contact protrusion. In a static condition, the first and second faces of the energy damping pad can be separated from the contact protrusion. In a dynamic condition, displacement motion of the contact protrusion relative to the energy damping pad can be limited by contact with at least one of the first or second faces of the energy damping pad, which provides energy damping and motion displacement control of the contact protrusion in multiple axes.