Rigid-Ring Duct Coupling for Vibration-Isolated Valve Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing duct coupling systems in aircraft face challenges with vibration and noise transmission due to turbulent exterior air, which can cause unintended movement of outflow valves and affect cabin pressure control, and current rubber couplers provide insufficient support and attenuation.
Innovation Solution
A duct coupling system comprising a first and second duct with flanges, a vibration attenuating system, a rigid ring, and a fastening system that compresses the rigid ring into the vibration attenuating system to create a strong union without direct contact between the ducts, using flexible rings and metallic sleeves to align and secure the ducts while minimizing vibration transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If rubber duct couplers are used to attenuate vibrations, then vibration and noise transmission is reduced, but structural support and stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system combines rigid ring (metal or rigid plastic) with flexible vibration-damping material (rubber or elastomer) to create a composite structure that simultaneously provides structural support and vibration attenuation. The rigid ring maintains duct alignment and support while the flexible material absorbs vibrations, resolving the contradiction between support strength and vibration reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible vibration-damping material is nested within or around the rigid ring structure, creating a multi-layered coupling system where the inner rigid component provides structural integrity and the outer flexible component provides vibration attenuation, achieving both support and vibration reduction simultaneously.
2Strength
If rigid ducting is used to provide structural support, then structural integrity is maintained, but vibration and noise from turbulent air are transmitted to the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible vibration-damping material acts as an intermediary element between the rigid duct sections, allowing the rigid ducts to maintain structural integrity while the intermediary material absorbs and attenuates vibrations before they can be transmitted to the cabin, thus resolving the contradiction between structural strength and vibration reduction.
3Ease of operation
If outflow valves are positioned within ducting or coupled between duct sections, then cabin pressure control is achieved, but unintended valve movement occurs due to duct flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid ring component provides stable structural support that prevents unintended movement of the outflow valve, while the flexible vibration-damping material absorbs vibrations that could cause valve instability, thus maintaining both operational ease and position stability.
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 system effectively attenuates vibrations and noise, providing resilient support for outflow valves and maintaining cabin pressure stability by reducing unwanted movement and noise transmission through the ducts.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration attenuating system configured to abut the first side and the second side of the first flange and to abut the first side of the second flange and to circumferentially surround a portion of the first duct and being configured to attenuate vibrations passing between the first duct and the second duct
Implementation Method 2
a fastening system configured to couple the first duct to the second duct, the fastening system comprising at least one fastener configured to compress the rigid ring into the vibration attenuating system
Implementation Method 3
a rigid ring configured to surround the first duct wall and abut the vibration attenuating system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
A duct coupling system includes a first and second duct, a vibration attenuation system, a rigid ring, and a fastening system. The first duct has a first flange (314) aligned with a second flange (330) of the second duct. The vibration attenuating system abuts a first side (318) and a second side (322) of the first flange and abuts a first side (334) of the second flange. A portion of the vibration attenuating system (306) encircles the first duct. The vibration attenuating system is configured to attenuate vibrations passing between the first and second ducts. The rigid ring (302) encircles the first duct and abuts the vibration attenuation system (306). The fastening system (354) couples the first duct to the second duct and compresses the vibration attenuating system. The rigid ring does not contact the first duct and the first duct does not contact the second duct.