Aircraft Seat Frame Vibration Control Using Cancelling Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active vibration control systems (AVCS) are ineffective in reducing high seat vibrations in aircraft due to variability in seat geometry, occupant weight, and movement, as well as loose attachment to the structure, leading to unacceptably high vibration levels in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Innovation Solution
An AVCS comprising controllers, force generators, and sensors attached to both the seat and aircraft structure, which measure vibrations and calculate cancelling forces to reduce motion and vibration, accounting for seat and occupant variability through advanced algorithms and sensor placement strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are placed on the seat to measure seat vibration, then seat vibration measurement accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the sensing and actuation functions by co-locating sensors and force generators on the seat. This integration allows the sensors to directly measure the vibrations that the force generators will counteract, improving measurement relevance while sharing the seat-mounted infrastructure to mitigate complexity increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat-mounted sensors autonomously measure seat-specific vibrations without requiring complex external measurement systems. This self-service approach provides accurate seat vibration data directly at the source, simplifying the overall measurement architecture compared to indirect measurement methods.
2Manufacturing precision
If the AVCS accounts for all seat and occupant variables, then vibration control accuracy improves, but computational complexity and error propagation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback from seat-mounted sensors to continuously monitor actual seat vibrations and adjust force generator outputs accordingly. This feedback loop allows the system to account for varying seat and occupant conditions dynamically without requiring complex predictive models, improving accuracy while managing computational complexity through adaptive control.
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 reduces seat vibrations by 10% to 90%, depending on configuration, by directly addressing seat-specific vibrations and structural vibrations, improving occupant comfort and reducing fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the one or more force generators is configured to generate the cancelling force to reduce a motion and/or vibration of the seat and/or structure
Data Source
AI summary
An active vibration control system (AVCS) and method for reducing motion and/or vibration of a seat frame within an aircraft includes vibration sensors, a controller, and force generators. In some embodiments, the vibration sensors and/or the force generators are attached to the seat frames. In other embodiments, the vibration sensors and/or the force generators are attached to aircraft structures, proximate to the seat frame. By monitoring the motion and/or vibration of the seat frame, the controller calculates a cancelling force to be generated by the force generators to reduce the vibration experienced by the seat frame and its occupant. Such seat frame vibration control can be implemented as a separate AVCS in an aircraft, or can be integrated in an existing AVCS that is also configured to provide vibration control in other parts thereof.