Rotor Brake Integrated Impeller Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotorcraft braking systems with solid braking disks face overheating issues, leading to permanent warping, vibrations, and reduced operational efficiency due to inadequate heat dissipation, limiting braking frequency and performance.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a built-in impeller within the rotor brake system to enhance cooling by pumping fluid past the braking surfaces, combined with a rotor brake control system that manages operation based on temperature to optimize braking performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a solid braking disk is used in rotorcraft braking systems, then the braking system is simple in structure, but the braking disk overheats leading to warping and reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking disk reliabilityVSAvoidbraking disk temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies hydraulic cooling by introducing a cooling fluid (water or water-glycol mixture) through channels in the braking disk and impeller. The fluid absorbs heat from the braking surfaces and dissipates it through the impeller, preventing overheating and warping while maintaining braking reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The braking disk incorporates porous material or internal channels that allow cooling fluid to flow through the disk structure. This porous design enables efficient heat transfer from the braking surfaces to the cooling fluid, reducing operating temperature and preventing thermal damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Productivity

If braking frequency is increased to improve operational efficiency, then productivity increases, but heat buildup causes warping and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebraking frequencyVSAvoidheat buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system operates continuously during braking operations, with cooling fluid constantly circulating through the braking disk and impeller. This continuous cooling action allows for repeated braking cycles without significant heat accumulation, enabling increased braking frequency and improved productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling fluid acts as an intermediary medium that transfers heat from the braking surfaces to the surrounding environment. By introducing this thermal intermediary, the system can handle repeated braking operations as the fluid continuously absorbs and removes heat, preventing warping and vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If cooling channels are added to the braking disk, then heat dissipation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidbraking disk structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling channels are merged with the existing braking disk structure, and the impeller serves dual purposes: driving the rotorcraft and functioning as a cooling fan. This integration combines the braking and cooling functions into a single unified structure, improving heat dissipation without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The impeller is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the rotorcraft forward and simultaneously acts as a cooling device by forcing cooling fluid through the braking disk channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling components, minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 impeller-cooled rotor brake system effectively reduces heat buildup, allowing for more frequent and efficient braking, preventing damage and improving rotorcraft operational reliability by managing heat transfer and braking force dynamically.

Implementation Method 1

Integration of a built-in impeller within the rotor brake system to enhance cooling by pumping fluid past the braking surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

providing a rotor brake control system that manages rotor brake operation as a function of temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 3

Conventional rotorcraft braking systems with solid braking disks face overheating issues

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction heating: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9739326B2Rotor brake with integrated impeller

Publication Date: 2017.08.22 BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a rotor brake includes a first braking surface having an opening therethrough, a second braking surface adjacent to the first braking surface, and an impeller disposed between the first and second braking surfaces such that rotation of the impeller pulls fluid through the opening of the first braking surface and expels the fluid out through a gap between the first and second braking surfaces.