Titanium Spline Reinforced with Silicon Carbide Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft brake spline structures face challenges in achieving the necessary strength and reliability at high temperatures while minimizing weight, as conventional high-strength materials like steel and nickel alloys are dense and heavy, and titanium, although lighter, requires larger dimensions to provide strength, reducing the volume available for friction discs.
Innovation Solution
The use of internally reinforced metal splines with composite blocks of silicon carbide fibers in a diffusion-bonded matrix, preferably titanium alloy, to enhance the structural integrity and reduce weight, allowing for efficient torque transmission and heat conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-strength materials like steel and nickel alloys are used for spline structures, then strength and reliability at high temperatures are improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining metal matrix (titanium alloy) with silicon carbide fibers and boron carbide particles. This composite structure provides high-temperature strength comparable to steel and nickel alloys while maintaining the weight advantages of titanium, thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and weight
2Weight of moving object
If titanium is used for drive bars, then weight is reduced, but transverse dimensions must be increased to provide requisite strength, reducing volume for friction discs
Solution Approach 1:
The silicon carbide fiber-reinforced titanium alloy composite enables the drive bar to maintain small transverse dimensions while providing the required strength, thus preserving the volume available for friction discs while keeping the weight reduction benefit of titanium
3Strength
If spline structures are made larger to compensate for lower strength density, then strength is improved, but the volume available for friction discs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material provides high strength-to-volume ratio, allowing the spline structure to maintain compact dimensions while achieving the necessary strength levels, thereby preserving the volume required for friction discs
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 reinforced spline structures provide improved strength and durability at high temperatures with reduced weight, maintaining the volume for friction discs and enhancing the braking performance of aircraft by distributing forces effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a composite block comprising a bundle of silicon carbide fibres that are contained in a matrix that is diffusion bonded to the spline
Data Source
AI summary
A spline structure, in the form of an aeronautical brake drive bar, has wheel attachment points at its ends for engaging a wheel rim. Each wheel carries a regularly spaced series of these drive bars for engaging friction discs carried by the wheel hub. The main body of each brake drive bar is formed from titanium internally reinforced by composite blocks each comprising a bundle of silicon carbide fibers contained in a matrix that is diffusion bonded within the main body. Other spline structures can be formed in a similar manner.