Redundant Mount System for Auxiliary Power Unit Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auxiliary power unit mounting systems lack redundancy, which can lead to instability and failure during abnormal operations, such as linkage failure, as they do not provide adequate support in multiple degrees of movement and do not have a secondary support mechanism to compensate for primary mount system failures.
Innovation Solution
A redundant mount system with multiple linkages (three-link, two-link, and single-link mounts) and redundant cable mounts that can selectively support the auxiliary power unit during abnormal operations, providing additional support by attaching to the aircraft structure and the auxiliary power unit at circumferentially spaced positions, thereby restraining the unit in all degrees of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single primary mounting system is used for the auxiliary power unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability is insufficient during abnormal operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements redundant mounting linkages that are pre-configured to provide support during abnormal operations. These redundant linkages are installed beforehand and remain dormant during normal operation, but automatically become active when primary linkages fail, thus cushioning against the harmful effect of mounting system failure without adding complexity to normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a single-state primary mounting configuration to a multi-state system that can operate in different configurations. During normal operation, only the primary linkages are active. During abnormal operations, the system parameter changes by activating redundant linkages, thereby altering the operational state from single-support to multi-support configuration.
2Reliability
If redundant mounting linkages are added to the system, then the reliability during abnormal operations is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional modules: primary linkages for normal operation and redundant linkages for abnormal operations. Each linkage is an independent segment that can be analyzed, installed, and maintained separately. This segmentation allows the redundant components to be added without fundamentally redesigning the entire mounting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The redundant mounting linkages are designed with multi-functionality: they serve as structural components during normal operation (maintaining system geometry and providing attachment points) while simultaneously serving as active support elements during abnormal operations. This universal design reduces the need for completely separate redundant systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple linkages are used to restrict movement in multiple degrees, then the stability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs linkages with varying degrees of freedom (one-link, two-link, three-link configurations) that can be selected based on the specific stability requirements for different axes of movement. By changing the parameter of linkage complexity only where needed, the system achieves multi-directional stability control without uniformly increasing the complexity of all mounting components.
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary power unit mounting system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a plurality of linkages to support an auxiliary power unit, and a redundant mount to selectively support said auxiliary power unit.