Segmented Annular Heat Shield Retainer for Easier Wheel Brake Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional annular heat shields for aircraft wheel assemblies are burdensome to assemble, repair, and replace, and they do not adequately protect components from the significant heat generated during braking.
Innovation Solution
A retainer system for a segmented annular heat shield is introduced, which includes grooves for engaging heat shield segments and is coupled to torque bars using torque bar bolts and pins, allowing for secure positioning and orientation, and dividing the volume between the torque bar and rim into air gaps to facilitate heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional annular heat shields are used, then thermal protection is provided, but assembly, repair, and replacement become burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield is divided into multiple segments that can be independently installed and removed. Each segment is retained by separate retainers attached to torque bars, allowing individual segments to be accessed, repaired, or replaced without disturbing the entire heat shield assembly, thus simplifying maintenance while maintaining thermal protection
2Reliability
If conventional annular heat shields are used, then thermal protection is provided, but the logistics of assembling, repairing, and replacing become burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield is divided into multiple segments that can be independently installed and removed. Each segment is retained by separate retainers attached to torque bars, allowing individual segments to be accessed, repaired, or replaced without disturbing the entire heat shield assembly, thus simplifying maintenance while maintaining thermal protection
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer system uses removable retainers that can be quickly attached and detached from torque bars using bolts and pins. This dynamic configuration allows the heat shield segments to be easily repositioned, removed, or replaced, reducing assembly complexity and logistics burden compared to fixed conventional heat shields
3Temperature
If heat dissipation is enhanced through air gaps, then heat management improves, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer system uses removable retainers that can be quickly attached and detached from torque bars using bolts and pins. This dynamic configuration allows the heat shield segments to be easily repositioned, removed, or replaced, reducing assembly complexity and logistics burden compared to fixed conventional heat shields
Solution Approach 2:
The retainers serve multiple functions: they mechanically retain the heat shield segments, position them relative to the torque bars and wheel rim, and create air gaps for heat dissipation. By combining these functions into a single component, the structure remains relatively simple while achieving improved heat management
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 retainer system effectively retains and positions heat shield segments, providing thermal protection while simplifying assembly and maintenance, and enhancing heat dissipation through air gaps and angled surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
dividing the volume between the torque bar and rim into two air gaps
Implementation Method 2
facilitate heat dissipation
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A wheel assembly includes an inboard wheel portion having a rim and a disk. A radially inward surface of the rim and an inboard surface of the disk define a wheel well cavity configured to house a brake assembly. The wheel assembly also includes a torque bar (e.g., a torque bar of the brake assembly) mounted to the inboard wheel portion. Further, the wheel assembly includes a retainer coupled to the torque bar and disposed radially between the torque bar and the radially inward surface of the rim of the inboard wheel portion. The retainer (210) includes a first end (211), a second end (212) opposite the first end, and a body (215) extending between the first end and the second end. The body includes opposing longitudinal sides configured to respectively engage and retain a respective heat shield segment of a segmented annular heat shield.