Sound-absorbing Panel with Cellular Core and De-icing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air intake structures in aircraft nacelles are limited in their ability to effectively attenuate a wide range of noise frequencies and provide adequate de-icing surfaces, necessitating an enhancement in noise attenuation and de-icing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A sound-absorbing panel with a cellular core and a heating mat is integrated into the air intake structure, featuring an inner skin with holes, a base with grooves and ribs, and an outer panel, which together enhance noise attenuation and de-icing by allowing sound waves to propagate through the structure and utilizing heat transfer fluids for de-icing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional acoustic panel with cellular core is used, then the structure provides basic noise attenuation, but the range of frequencies attenuated is limited and the de-icing surface area is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is segmented into multiple functional layers: inner skin with holes for high-frequency noise attenuation, heating mat with strips for de-icing, base with grooves and ribs for structural support and low-frequency attenuation, and cellular core for additional noise absorption. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in specific frequency ranges and functions, expanding the overall frequency attenuation range while providing sufficient de-icing surface area through the heating mat strips.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds dimensional complexity by introducing a multi-layered structure with components extending in different directions. The heating mat strips are oriented in a first direction while grooves extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first, creating a three-dimensional architecture that increases both the de-icing surface area and the volume available for noise attenuation across different frequency ranges.
2Area of stationary object
If the panel structure is enhanced to increase de-iced and sound-absorbing surface, then noise attenuation and de-icing improve, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated panel structure. The inner skin with holes serves both aerodynamic and noise attenuation functions, the heating mat strips are integrated into the base structure rather than being separate components, the grooves and ribs are formed as part of the base itself, and the cellular core is bonded directly to the base. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps while achieving enhanced sound absorption and de-icing surface area.
3Reliability
If heating strips are added to the panel, then de-icing capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating mat strips are integrated into the base structure during the base manufacturing process itself, rather than being added as a separate post-processing step. The grooves are formed in the base and the heating strips are embedded or mounted into these grooves before the cellular core is attached. This preliminary integration of the heating system into the base manufacturing reduces the number of separate assembly operations and simplifies overall panel manufacturing while ensuring reliable de-icing capability.
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 achieves improved noise attenuation across a broader frequency range and effective de-icing, extending the surface area for noise reduction and de-icing, while maintaining structural integrity and aerodynamic functionality.
Implementation Method 1
each strip comprises an electrically resistive element which heats up when a current passes through it
Implementation Method 2
The acoustic panel has a structure suitable for attenuating the noise produced by the engine and notably by the fan
Implementation Method 3
The volume between the air intake lip and the front reinforcing frame allows the circulation of a hot air flow with ensures the de-icing of the air intake lip
Data Source
AI summary
A sound-absorbing panel includes: an inner skin traversed by holes and intended to be oriented towards a channel in which a fluid flows, a heating mat formed by strips fixed to the inner skin on the side opposite to the channel and oriented in a first direction, wherein two adjacent strips are distant from each other in order to define a slot between them, a base fixed to the strips on the side opposite to the inner skin, wherein the base includes, on the strips side, grooves extending in a second direction different from the first direction and wherein the base has, between two successive grooves, a rib, a cellular core fixed to the base on the side opposite to the strips, and an outer panel fixed to the cellular core on the side opposite to the base.