Aircraft Transparent Wall Mounting for Bird-Strike Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft transparent walls, such as windscreens or windows, are not efficiently designed to absorb the energy from bird strikes, leading to potential damage and the need for thicker, heavier structures to meet certification requirements.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft transparent walls are fixed to a supporting structure using a fixation system with martyr energy-absorbing pads that deform plastically to absorb impact energy, allowing for thinner and potentially lighter walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the transparent wall is made thicker to withstand bird strikes, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces energy-absorbing pads as intermediary elements between the transparent wall and the supporting structure. These pads deform plastically during bird strikes to absorb impact energy, protecting the transparent wall from direct damage. This allows the use of thinner, lighter transparent walls while maintaining the required strength and reliability certification standards.
2Weight of moving object
If the transparent wall is made thinner to reduce weight, then the weight is reduced, but the ability to withstand bird strikes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements energy-absorbing pads that are pre-installed between the transparent wall and the supporting structure. These pads are designed to deform plastically under impact loads, cushioning the transparent wall against bird strike forces before the wall can be damaged. This beforehand cushioning enables the use of thinner, lighter transparent walls while maintaining certification standards for bird strike resistance.
3Device complexity
If conventional fixation methods (screws, glue) are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the energy absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the fixation system by replacing rigid connections (screws, glue) with plastically deformable energy-absorbing pads. These pads are designed with specific material properties and geometric configurations that enable controlled plastic deformation during impact, transforming the fixation system from a rigid structure into an energy-dissipating system. This parameter change allows the system to absorb bird strike energy while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
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 system effectively absorbs impact energy from bird strikes, enabling thinner and lighter transparent walls while meeting certification standards, with the pads being replaceable during maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one martyr energy-absorbing pad configured to deform according to an irreversible plastic deformation
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft provided with a transparent wall interposed between an internal environment located in the aircraft and an external environment, the transparent wall being fixed to a supporting structure of the aircraft by a fixing system, the transparent wall having an internal face facing the internal environment and an external face facing the external environment. The fixing system comprises at least one martyr energy-absorbing pad, the energy-absorbing pad comprising at least one energy absorber connected to the transparent wall and to the supporting structure, the at least one energy absorber comprising an internal absorber attached against the internal face.