Spacecraft Thruster Mount With Electroactive Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical damping devices for rocket and satellite engines are complex, expensive, and unable to adapt to variations in vibration frequencies, leading to mechanical wear and damage from engine vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A damping device comprising electro-active polymers sandwiched between electrodes, which changes stiffness in response to an electric field, allowing for adjustable vibration damping and isolation of engine vibrations from the spacecraft structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical damping devices are used, then vibration damping is provided, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical damping devices with a piezoelectric actuator system that uses electrical fields to control vibrations. The piezoelectric actuator converts electrical signals into mechanical counter-vibrations, eliminating the need for complex mechanical springs, dashpots, and linkages while providing active vibration control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from purely mechanical to electromechanical by using piezoelectric materials that respond to electrical voltage changes. This allows dynamic adjustment of damping characteristics through electrical control, providing adaptability to varying vibration frequencies and intensities without mechanical reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If traditional mechanical damping devices are used, then vibration absorption is achieved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive mechanical damping components with piezoelectric actuators that can be integrated into the existing structure. This reduces material costs and manufacturing complexity while providing active control capability that passive mechanical devices cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric actuator serves multiple functions: it acts as both a sensor for detecting vibrations and an actuator for generating counter-vibrations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensing and actuating systems, reducing overall system cost and complexity.
3Reliability
If traditional damping devices are used, then vibrations are dampened, but they cannot adapt to variations in vibration frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic vibration control by using piezoelectric actuators that can respond in real-time to changing vibration frequencies. The system continuously adjusts its response based on the detected vibration characteristics, providing adaptive damping that mechanical devices with fixed parameters cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where vibrations are detected, analyzed, and used to generate appropriate counter-vibrations. This closed-loop control allows the system to adapt to varying vibration frequencies and intensities, maintaining effective damping across different operating conditions.
4Reliability
If traditional damping devices are used, then vibrations are absorbed, but mechanical wear and damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based damping with piezoelectric actuation that generates counter-vibrations without physical contact or friction. This eliminates wear and tear associated with mechanical components while providing effective vibration control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful vibrations into useful information by using sensors to detect vibration characteristics, then uses this information to generate beneficial counter-vibrations that cancel out the harmful effects. This transforms the vibration problem into a controlled response mechanism.
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 effectively reduces the complexity and cost of damping systems, enables adaptation to varying vibration frequencies, and minimizes vibration transmission to the spacecraft, thereby protecting the structure from mechanical damage.
Implementation Method 1
the damping device comprising at least two electrodes and at least one electro-active polymer disposed between the two electrodes... when the electrodes are subjected to a difference in electric potential, an electric field passes through the electro-active polymer, causing the latter to deform or to modify its stiffness
Implementation Method 2
The damping device comprises a piezoelectric element... the piezoelectric element is interposed between the support and the thruster
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3A~5
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly having a holder (10) configured to be fastened to a spacecraft, a thruster, a damping device (50), the damping device (50) having at least two electrodes (50b) and at least one electroactive polymer (50a) disposed between the two electrodes (50b), the damping device (50) being interposed between the holder (10) and the thruster.