Removable Strut Mounting for Bond-Safe Vibration Isolators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration isolation systems for aircraft require complex and damaging processes to replace struts, which can disrupt the bonding between elastomeric members and the piston spindle, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A vibration isolation device with removable struts that can be engaged and disengaged without breaking the bonding between elastomeric members and the piston spindle, allowing for individual strut replacement without applying loads that displace the elastomeric members, using threaded or slotted attachments and wrench-compatible surfaces for easy removal and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If struts are made replaceable without breaking elastomeric bonds, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional removable components and attachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separable components: the strut assembly (including strut, strut spindles, and strut supports) can be independently removed from the vibration isolation device without affecting the bonded elastomeric members. This segmentation allows the strut to be replaced as a separate module while preserving the integrity of the bonded connections between the piston spindle and elastomeric members.
Solution Approach 2:
The strut removal mechanism extracts the strut assembly from the vibration isolation device by disengaging the strut spindles from the strut supports. This extraction process removes only the replaceable strut components without disturbing the bonded elastomeric members, enabling maintenance without damage to critical bonded joints.
2Reliability
If struts are removed without applying displacing loads, then reliability of elastomeric bonding is improved, but ease of operation is reduced due to precise load control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is prepared in advance with removable strut spindles that can be disengaged from the strut supports before any load application occurs. This preliminary disengagement action ensures that when struts are removed, no loads are transmitted to the elastomeric members, preventing bond disruption while maintaining a straightforward removal procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The strut spindles act as intermediary components between the strut supports and the strut assembly. By removing the strut spindles first, the connection pathway is broken, allowing subsequent strut removal without transmitting forces to the elastomeric members, thus protecting the bonds while simplifying the overall removal process.
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
Enables efficient and non-damaging replacement of struts, maintaining the integrity of the vibration isolation system and reducing maintenance time and complexity, while allowing for continuous operation without breaking the elastomeric bonds.
Implementation Method 1
a piston spindle resiliently coupled to the upper housing with an upper elastomer member, the piston spindle being resiliently coupled to the lower housing with a lower elastomer member
Implementation Method 2
an elongated portion having a tuning passage; and a tuning fluid disposed there within. The vibration isolator cancels vibratory forces at an isolation frequency
Implementation Method 3
The isolator includes a spherical bearing assembly that is located near a waterline location of a rotational axis of a drive shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A strut assembly for a vibration isolation device is disclosed, comprising a piston spindle; a first elastomeric member and a second elastomeric member bonded to the piston spindle and in contact with an upper housing and a lower housing, respectively; a first strut support and a second strut support attached to or integral with the upper housing and the lower housing, respectively; a first strut spindle and the second strut support configured to be placed in the first strut support and the second strut support, respectively; and one or more removable struts configured to be engaged to the first strut spindle and to the second strut spindle, wherein at least one of the first or second strut spindles is removable such that the one or more struts can be replaced without breaking a bonding of the first elastomeric member, the second elastomeric member, or both.