Multi-Chamber Tuned Vibration Absorber for Low-Load Aircraft Strut Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tuned vibration absorbers for aircraft wing struts are ineffective in reducing vibrations during high-powered ground operations and flight conditions, leading to structural fatigue and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A multi-chamber internally damped tuned vibration absorber with multiple damping members and a mass that oscillates along guide members, tuned to specific frequencies to attenuate peak vibrational loading, featuring internal chambers with damping members and an attachment mechanism to couple with aircraft structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing tuned vibration absorbers are used in aircraft wing struts, then vibration reduction is achieved, but the damping members experience high operating loads leading to short operational lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single damping member into multiple damping members (at least three) distributed across multiple locations on the mass. Each damping member experiences reduced individual load while collectively providing the required vibration damping force, thereby extending operational lifetime through load distribution.
2Reliability
If existing tuned vibration absorbers are used, then vibration attenuation is achieved, but structural fatigue and maintenance needs increase during high-powered operations
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the damping function across multiple damping members, the patent reduces the stress concentration on any single component and distributes fatigue loads more evenly across the structure, thereby extending structural fatigue life and reducing maintenance frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the damping system parameters by using multiple damping members with potentially different characteristics (viscosity, damping coefficient) to optimize performance across various flight phases and operational conditions, improving overall reliability while maintaining low operating loads.
3Reliability
If a single damping member is used in the vibration absorber, then device simplicity is maintained, but vibration reduction effectiveness is insufficient under varying flight conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the damping function into multiple members to improve vibration reduction effectiveness across varying flight conditions. The multiple damping members can be positioned at different locations and have different characteristics, allowing the system to handle a broader range of vibrational frequencies and amplitudes encountered during different flight phases.
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 significantly extends the operational lifetime of damping members by maintaining low operating loads and effectively reduces vibrations across various flight phases and operations, thereby minimizing structural fatigue and maintenance burdens.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of internal chambers each formed around a portion of a respective one of the guide members within a respective one of the openings; a plurality of damping members each disposed in a respective one of the internal chambers, wherein the damping members are configured to dampen movement of the mass along the first direction
Implementation Method 2
a mass having a first bore extending through the mass in a longitudinal direction... a first guide member extending through the first bore in the longitudinal direction... configured to guide movement of the mass back and forth along the first direction
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of guide members each disposed within a respective one of the openings, wherein the guide members are configured to guide movement of the mass back and forth along the first direction
Implementation Method 4
an attachment member configured to mechanically couple the guide members to a structure for reducing a vibrational motion of the structure
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-chamber internally damped tuned vibration absorber includes a mass having internal chambers that house damping members for dissipating vibrational motion of the mass. Guide members pass through the internal chambers and guide movement of the mass. An attachment member attaches the guide members to a structure to attenuate vibrations of the structure.