Tapered Torque Plate Barrel for Brake Vibration Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft brake systems experience vibration-induced damage due to sliding friction between brake discs, leading to instability and component wear.

Innovation Solution

A torque plate barrel with a tapered inner surface design that improves dynamic stability by altering stiffness and energy dissipation, reducing whirl and squeal mode vibrations without significant weight or cost increase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a conventional uniform thickness torque plate barrel is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the dynamic stability is poor and vibrations occur during brake actuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic stabilityVSAvoidbarrel structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torque plate barrel employs a tapered inner diameter design where the thickness varies along the axial length, with the first end having a thickness of 0.25-0.75 times the second end thickness. This local variation in geometric properties creates non-uniform stiffness distribution that actively mitigates brake-induced vibrations while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between dynamic stability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the barrel thickness is increased to reduce vibrations, then the dynamic stability improves, but the weight increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic stabilityVSAvoidbarrel weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the torque plate barrel by implementing a tapered inner diameter where the first end thickness is 0.25-0.75 times the second end thickness. This parameter optimization allows the barrel to achieve improved dynamic stability and vibration mitigation without requiring a uniform increase in thickness throughout, thereby avoiding significant weight increase while maintaining structural performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a tapered inner diameter design is implemented, then the vibration mitigation is effective, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationsVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The tapered inner diameter design applies local geometric modification only where needed to mitigate vibrations, rather than requiring complete redesign of the entire barrel structure. This localized approach to vibration control maintains relatively simple manufacturing processes while effectively reducing brake-induced vibrations, balancing manufacturing ease with vibration mitigation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 tapered torque plate barrel enhances brake system stability, reducing whirl mode vibrations by 8-12% and squeal mode vibrations by 15-20%, while maintaining weight and manufacturing simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

The sliding frictional contact between discs during brake actuation induces vibration which can result in damage to the brake equipment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the varying inner diameter forms a taper that extends axially along the inner surface of the barrel body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4321768B1Tapered torque plate barrel for improving dynamic stability
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 GOODRICH CORP
  • EP4321768B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4321768B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4321768B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A torque plate barrel for use with a brake system is disclosed herein. The torque plate barrel includes a barrel body (202) having an outer diameter, an inner diameter, and an axial length extending from a first end to an opposing second end, wherein the inner diameter varies along the axial length and the outer diameter is fixed along the axial length.