Removable Strut Assembly for Bond-Safe Vibration Isolator Repair
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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 replaced without breaking the bonding between elastomeric members and the piston spindle, utilizing threaded or slotted connections and surfaces for wrench engagement, allowing for individual strut replacement without applying loads that break the bond.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If traditional strut replacement process is used, then struts can be replaced, but the bonding between elastomeric members and piston spindle is disrupted and damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The strut assembly is divided into separable components: the strut itself and the piston spindle with elastomeric members. The strut can be detached from the piston spindle through the strut support interface, allowing replacement of only the strut without affecting the bonded elastomeric members remaining on the piston spindle.
Solution Approach 2:
The strut is extracted as a removable component from the overall vibration isolation device. By designing the strut to be engageable with and detachable from the piston spindle through the strut support, the strut can be taken out for replacement while leaving the critical bonded elastomeric members intact on the piston spindle.
2Loss of time
If struts are made removable for easier maintenance, then maintenance time is reduced, but the structural complexity of the mounting system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into modular components with defined interfaces. The strut support acts as an intermediary component that provides a standardized engagement interface between the strut and piston spindle, enabling quick attachment and detachment without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The strut support serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables removable attachment of struts, and maintains proper alignment between struts and piston spindles. This multi-functional design achieves removability without adding excessive complexity.
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, reducing maintenance time and preventing bond disruption, thus enhancing the durability and reliability of the vibration isolation system.
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 inertia track having a tuning passage, and a tuning fluid disposed within the upper fluid chamber, the lower fluid chamber, and the tuning passage. The vibration isolator cancels vibratory forces at an isolation frequency, the isolation frequency being at least partially dependent upon a size of the tuning passage
Implementation Method 3
The vibration isolator is utilized in a pylon system for mounting a transmission in an aircraft. The vibration isolator is located between a pylon structure and a roof structure. The isolator includes a spherical bearing assembly that is located near a waterline location of a rotational axis of a drive shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A strut assembly for a vibration isolation device (204a-204d; 450) is disclosed, comprising a piston spindle (408; 458); a first elastomeric member (412; 462) and a second elastomeric member (414; 464) bonded to the piston spindle (408; 458) and in contact with an upper housing (404; 454) and a lower housing (406; 456), respectively; a first strut support (418; 468) and a second strut support (422; 472) attached to or integral with the upper housing (404; 454) and the lower housing (406; 456), respectively; a first strut spindle (420; 470) and the second strut spindle (424; 474) configured to be placed in the first strut support (418; 468) and the second strut support (422; 472), respectively; and one or more removable struts configured to be engaged to the first strut spindle (420; 470) and to the second strut spindle (424; 474), wherein at least one of the first (420; 470) or second strut spindles (424; 474), is removable such that the one or more struts can be replaced without breaking a bonding of the first elastomeric member (412; 462), the second elastomeric member (414; 464), or both.