Aircraft Ring Gear Spoke-Web Structure for Vibration Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical gearboxes face challenges in flexibility and stiffness, particularly in high-power applications and small dimensions, where conventional solutions either deform under meshing forces or fail to absorb vibrations effectively.
Innovation Solution
A ring gear design with an annular web featuring distributed arms, similar to bicycle wheel spokes, that connects the internal toothing to the external flange or splines, providing flexibility through tension, compression, and bending while maintaining a small overall dimension, compatible with various gearbox types and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the ring gear uses a conventional rigid structure, then it can support meshing forces, but it cannot absorb vibrations effectively and causes significant deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The ring gear is segmented into multiple radial arms (3 to 12 arms) that are distributed around the axis, connecting the internal toothing to the external flange. This segmentation allows each arm to independently absorb vibrations and deformations while collectively supporting the meshing forces, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and vibration absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring gear employs a composite structure combining rigid elements (the arms and toothing) with flexible elements (elastomer springs or pads integrated into the arms). This composite design enables the structure to support high meshing forces while simultaneously absorbing vibrations and preventing deformation of the toothing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If elastomer springs or pads are incorporated into the ring gear to absorb vibrations, then vibration absorption improves, but the structure cannot support meshing forces without significant deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The ring gear uses a composite structure where rigid arms provide the necessary strength to support meshing forces, while elastomer springs or pads integrated into the arms provide vibration absorption. This combination resolves the contradiction by allowing both functions to coexist without compromising either vibration absorption or load-bearing capacity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a bellows-shaped ring gear carrier is used to attach the stationary ring gear, then flexibility is added, but the overall dimension becomes too large for small dimensions applications
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a bulky bellows-shaped carrier, the ring gear is segmented into multiple radial arms that provide flexibility within a compact form. This segmentation allows the ring gear to accommodate vibrations and deformations while maintaining a small overall dimension suitable for compact gearbox applications.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the ring gear is made with low stiffness pads, then vibration absorption improves, but the structure cannot be used in high-power applications
Solution Approach 1:
The ring gear employs a composite structure where rigid arms provide the necessary stiffness to support high-power applications, while integrated elastomer springs or pads provide vibration absorption. This composite design resolves the contradiction by enabling both high-power capability and effective vibration absorption to coexist.
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
This design enhances flexibility and supports meshing forces without deformation, suitable for high-power applications and compact dimensions, compatible with multiple gearbox architectures and turbomachine systems.
Implementation Method 1
the web can include an annular row of arms which are distributed around the axis, these arms connecting the internal toothing to the external flange or splines... providing flexibility through tension, compression, and bending while maintaining a small overall dimension
Data Source
AI summary
A ring gear for an aircraft mechanical gearbox, the ring gear having an annular shape about an axis and having an internal toothing at its internal periphery, an external annular flange or splines at its external periphery, and an annular web extending between the internal toothing and the external flange or splines. The web can include an annular row of arms which are distributed about the axis, these arms connecting the internal toothing to the external flange or splines and being formed in a single piece with the internal toothing and the external flange or splines.