Horizontal Stabilizer Dampers for Multi-Axis Vibration Mitigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft horizontal stabilizers experience increased vibrational forces due to turbulent airflow from high bypass ducted fan engines, leading to structural fatigue and passenger discomfort, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A vibration dampening system comprising passive and active dampers strategically positioned on the horizontal stabilizer to mitigate vibrational forces in multiple degrees of freedom, using visco-elastic dampers and linear actuators to absorb and counteract vibrations based on real-time or estimated vibration states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If high bypass ducted fan engines are used to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel efficiency is improved, but vibrational forces on the horizontal stabilizer increase causing structural fatigue and passenger discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
A vibration dampening system is introduced as an intermediary component between the horizontal stabilizer and the aircraft structure. The system includes vibration sensors that detect vibrational forces, processors that analyze the sensor data to determine vibration characteristics, and vibration dampeners that actively counteract the detected vibrations. This intermediary system allows the high bypass ducted fan engine to operate for improved fuel efficiency while the dampening system protects the horizontal stabilizer and aircraft structure from excessive vibrational forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration dampening system implements a feedback mechanism where vibration sensors continuously monitor the horizontal stabilizer for vibrational forces, the processors analyze the sensor data to characterize the vibrations (frequency, amplitude, direction), and the vibration dampeners apply counteracting forces based on this analysis. This closed-loop feedback system enables real-time adaptation to varying vibration conditions caused by different flight regimes and engine operations, effectively mitigating structural fatigue and passenger discomfort while maintaining the fuel efficiency benefits of high bypass ducted fan engines.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the size of high bypass ducted fan engines is increased to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the quantity of jet-wash and resulting vibrational forces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration dampening system serves as a mediator that decouples the relationship between engine size and structural vibration. By placing vibration sensors on the horizontal stabilizer, processors to analyze vibration characteristics, and dampeners to actively counteract vibrations, the system allows larger high bypass ducted fan engines to be used for improved fuel efficiency without proportionally increasing the harmful vibrational forces transmitted to the aircraft structure.
3Device complexity
If no vibration dampening system is used to maintain structural simplicity, then device complexity is minimized, but structural fatigue increases reducing aircraft lifespan and increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vibration dampening system as an intermediary solution that addresses structural fatigue without requiring fundamental redesign of the horizontal stabilizer or aircraft structure. The system comprises vibration sensors that detect vibrational forces, processors that analyze the sensor data to determine vibration characteristics (frequency, amplitude, direction), and vibration dampeners that actively counteract the detected vibrations. This modular intermediary system protects the structural integrity and extends aircraft lifespan while maintaining relative simplicity through standardized sensor, processor, and dampener components that can be integrated without complex structural modifications.
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
Effectively reduces structural fatigue and passenger discomfort by significantly mitigating vibrational forces, enhancing aircraft durability and reducing maintenance costs while maintaining fuel efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
using visco-elastic dampers and linear actuators to absorb and counteract vibrations
Implementation Method 2
using visco-elastic dampers and linear actuators to absorb and counteract vibrations
Implementation Method 3
using visco-elastic dampers and linear actuators to absorb and counteract vibrations based on real-time or estimated vibration states
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods provide for the mitigation of vibrational forces acting on a horizontal stabilizer (102) of an aircraft. According to one aspect, a damper (106) is coupled to a front portion of a horizontal stabilizer (102) to dampen vibrations in a first degree of freedom, with another damper (106) coupled to a mounting point (118) of the horizontal stabilizer (102) to dampen vibrations in a second degree of freedom. The dampers (106) may be passive, operating independently to mitigate vibrational forces, or active, applying a mitigating force to the horizontal stabilizer (102) based on real-time or estimated vibration states.