Rotating Ogival Shield for Bird Impact Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft engine component protection devices are excessively heavy due to thick, rigid shields required to withstand bird collisions, which impair aircraft performance and increase fuel consumption while failing to efficiently divert bird momentum.
Innovation Solution
A rotating ogival shield with radially diverting ribs made of composite material, designed to reduce bird momentum and distribute impact force by diverting birds radially, thereby minimizing weight and maintaining engine protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thick rigid shield is used to withstand bird collision, then engine component protection is improved, but aircraft weight increases greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is made rotatable about its axis, transforming it from a static structure to a dynamic one. This rotation allows the shield to actively engage with incoming birds through its ribs, diverting them radially outward. The dynamic motion enables effective bird diversion with thinner material, reducing weight while maintaining protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield surface is segmented into multiple radial ribs that protrude outward. These ribs act as independent elements that can individually intercept and divert birds. The segmented structure distributes the impact forces across multiple ribs rather than requiring a uniformly thick shield, enabling weight reduction while maintaining protective function.
2Reliability
If a thick rigid shield is used to withstand bird collision, then engine component protection is improved, but aircraft performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable shield actively responds to bird approaches by rotating into position, with ribs oriented to maximize bird diversion. This dynamic positioning provides superior protection with less material, preserving aircraft performance. The rotation mechanism allows the system to adapt to different threat angles, maintaining high protection effectiveness without the weight penalty of a static thick shield.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield utilizes composite material construction, combining multiple materials with complementary properties. This allows the creation of a thinner, lighter structure that maintains or exceeds the protective capabilities of traditional thick rigid shields, thereby preserving aircraft performance while ensuring engine component protection.
3Reliability
If a thick rigid shield is used to withstand bird collision, then engine component protection is improved, but fuel consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable shield reduces the overall weight required for bird protection compared to static thick shields. This weight reduction directly decreases the energy required for aircraft operation, leading to lower fuel consumption. The dynamic rotation capability allows effective protection with minimal material, optimizing the trade-off between protection and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Composite material construction enables a lighter shield structure that provides equivalent or superior protection to traditional thick shields. This weight savings translates directly to reduced fuel consumption, as the aircraft requires less energy to operate with the lighter protection system in place.
4Force
If a rotating shield with diverting ribs is used, then bird momentum reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is divided into multiple radial ribs that simplify the overall structure while achieving complex bird diversion functionality. Each rib is a simple geometric element, but their collective arrangement creates effective momentum reduction. This segmentation approach reduces manufacturing complexity compared to creating a single complex thick shield structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism adds dynamic capability but uses a simple rotational degree of freedom rather than complex multi-axis movement. The ribs are fixed relative to the rotating shield body, simplifying the mechanism. This dynamic approach achieves superior bird momentum reduction with relatively simple structural additions.
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 solution effectively reduces the force discharged on the engine, allows the aircraft to reach a landing site post-collision, and complies with certification regulations without increasing aircraft weight or performance impairment, while preventing bird ingestion and maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
designed to reduce the momentum of birds along axis A and divert birds radially with respect to axis A
Implementation Method 2
shield 2 rotating about an axis A
Implementation Method 3
shield 2 ogival to define a cavity 5 housing the engine, and is fixed to a shaft of the engine
Data Source
AI summary
A device for protecting an aircraft component from collision with a flying object, the device having: a main member rotating about an axis and subject to collision with a flying object; and diverting means connected angularly to the main member, also subject to collision with the flying object, and designed, in the event of collision of the main member with the flying object, to reduce the axial momentum of the flying object and divert the flying object radially with respect to the axis.