Shock Absorber With Deformable Member for Cockpit Door Decompression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shock absorbers are inadequate in handling extreme shock impulses, leading to potential damage and injury during decompression events in aircraft, where pressure differentials can cause structural deformation and debris, posing a risk to aircraft integrity and pilot safety.

Innovation Solution

A shock absorber with a deformable energy-absorbing member, featuring a primary piston and a crushable material like honeycomb foam, which absorbs excess energy by deforming permanently or temporarily, limiting the movement of the cockpit door during decompression events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a typical shock absorber is used, then it can damp shock impulses within a limited operational envelope, but it cannot handle extreme shock impulses or forces at the ends of the operational envelope

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorption capabilityVSAvoidoperational envelope range

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber is divided into multiple functional segments: a first damping element for initial shock absorption, a second damping element for additional damping, and a deformable energy absorbing member for extreme force handling. Each segment operates in a specific range of the operational envelope, collectively providing comprehensive protection across the full range of forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shock absorber employs composite material structures, including the deformable energy absorbing member made of deformable material that undergoes permanent deformation to absorb extreme energy. This composite approach combines different material properties to handle both normal and extreme shock conditions effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the cockpit door is unlocked during decompression to equalize pressure, then pressure differential damage is reduced, but the door opens at very high rotational velocity causing structural deformation and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure differential damageVSAvoiddoor rotational velocity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber is pre-installed on the cockpit door to provide cushioning during decompression events. When the door opens during decompression, the shock absorber's multiple damping elements and deformable energy absorbing member are already in place to gradually absorb the kinetic energy, preventing the door from accelerating to dangerous velocities and causing structural damage or debris.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a deformable energy absorbing member is added to handle extreme forces, then the operational envelope is extended, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational envelope rangeVSAvoidshock absorber structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber merges multiple damping elements and a deformable energy absorbing member into a single integrated assembly. This combined structure allows the system to handle both normal and extreme shock impulses without requiring separate systems, thereby extending the operational envelope while managing device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 shock absorber effectively limits the rotational velocity of the cockpit door during decompression, reducing the risk of damage and injury by dissipating energy through fluid compression and material deformation, thereby enhancing safety and structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable solid material arranged in the main body... configured to provide a second damping force by deforming the deformable solid material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

Most shock absorbers are a form of dashpot (a damper which resists motion via viscous friction)... converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy. This energy may typically be in the form of heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous friction: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentUS12110732B2Shock absorber configured with a deformable energy absorbing member

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE

AI summary

A shock absorber includes a first end configured to be mechanically fastened to a first component, a second end configured to be mechanically fastened to a second component, a main body, a main shaft, and a primary piston. The primary piston configured to move within the main body and further configured to provide a first damping force by movement of a fluid through the primary piston while the main shaft moves a first distance. The shock absorber also includes a deformable solid material arranged in the main body. The primary piston configured to further move within the main body and further configured to provide a second damping force by deforming the deformable solid material after the main shaft moves the first distance.