Low-Profile Sensor Circuit Mounting for Heat and Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire and overheat detection systems in aircraft engines face challenges in mounting fixtures that need to withstand high temperatures and vibrations while minimizing size and weight, and ensuring easy access for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A mounting fixture design that includes a support spacer bracket secured to a support rail via brazing or welding, with pins and collars for secure attachment of a clamp fixture to the spacer bracket, allowing for anti-rotation features and reduced tool manipulation space, facilitating secure and efficient sensor circuit mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mounting fixture is made robust to withstand high temperatures and vibrations, then reliability is improved, but the size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting fixture is divided into separate components: a support bracket that interfaces with the support rail, and a clamp fixture that secures the sensor circuit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for strength-to-weight ratio, using robust materials only where structurally necessary while keeping overall weight minimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting fixture utilizes composite construction combining materials with different properties - the support bracket may use high-temperature resistant materials for thermal stability, while the clamp fixture uses vibration-resistant materials for mechanical stability. This composite approach allows the fixture to withstand both high temperatures and vibrations without excessive weight gain from using a single heavy material throughout.
2Weight of stationary object
If the mounting fixture size is minimized, then weight is reduced, but access during maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp fixture incorporates a movable clamping mechanism that can be quickly opened and closed. The dynamic design allows maintenance personnel to easily access the sensor circuit by simply releasing the clamp, without requiring disassembly of the entire mounting fixture. This dynamic feature maintains compact size while improving maintainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor circuit is extracted from the mounting fixture as a separate, easily removable component. The clamp fixture is designed to hold the sensor circuit securely during operation but release it easily during maintenance. This extraction principle allows the mounting fixture to remain compact while providing excellent access to the sensor circuit when needed.
3Reliability
If pins are used for secure attachment, then reliability is improved, but tool manipulation space is increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using protruding pins that extend outward requiring tool manipulation space, the attachment mechanism uses a collar that fits over a pin in a recessed configuration. This dimensional change allows the pin-collar connection to be made in a compact space, with the collar providing secure attachment while minimizing the overall footprint and tool access requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is designed to nest over the pin, with the pin fitting inside the collar's internal diameter. This nested configuration provides a secure attachment connection while minimizing the external dimensions. The pin and collar together occupy minimal space, reducing the tool manipulation area needed compared to external pin connections.
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 provides a robust, compact, and easily accessible mounting system for sensor circuits, reducing maintenance complexity and stress on hardware in high-temperature and vibratory environments, while enabling the use of off-the-shelf components.
Implementation Method 1
A mounting fixture design that includes a support spacer bracket secured to a support rail via brazing or welding
Implementation Method 2
A mounting fixture design that includes a support spacer bracket secured to a support rail via brazing or welding
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A mounting fixture (100; 200) for mounting a sensor circuit (102; 202) to a support rail (104; 204) is disclosed. In various embodiments, the mounting fixture includes a bracket (106; 206) having a base portion (118; 218) and a first flange member (116; 216) extending from the base portion; a clamp fixture connected to the first flange member, the clamp fixture (108; 208) including a plate member (134; 234); a first pin (110; 210) extending through the first flange member and the plate member; and a first fastener (130; 230) threaded on to the first pin and configured to secure the plate member to the first flange member.