Aircraft Turbine Engine Suspension Flexible Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for suspending turbine engines from aircraft structures, particularly those using statically indeterminate systems, face challenges in accurately transmitting and managing loads, leading to uncertainty in load distribution and increased complexity, which complicates the engineering of vibration isolators and occupies more space.

Innovation Solution

A statically determinate suspension system incorporating a flexible coupling formed by laminated cylinders with alternating layers of elastomer and metal, where the coupling is preloaded by frustoconical surfaces, allowing for controlled load transmission and distribution through link rods, ensuring compactness and certainty in load paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a statically indeterminate suspension system is used, then vibration isolation can be achieved, but load distribution becomes uncertain and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration isolationVSAvoidsuspension system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension system is segmented into independent link rods, each with its own flexible coupling and isolators. This segmentation allows each component to be designed and analyzed independently, simplifying the overall system while maintaining vibration isolation capabilities through the distributed isolators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Flexible couplings are introduced as intermediary elements between the link rods and the engine/pylon attachments. These couplings serve as mediators that isolate vibrations while transmitting loads, resolving the contradiction by providing vibration isolation without requiring a complex statically indeterminate system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple isolators with different coefficients of elasticity are used, then vibration isolation performance improves, but space occupation in the heightwise direction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration isolation performanceVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple isolating functions are merged into a compact flexible coupling assembly that integrates several isolators with different coefficients of elasticity in a space-efficient configuration. This allows improved vibration isolation performance without proportionally increasing the heightwise space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The isolators are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the flexible coupling, utilizing space in multiple directions rather than stacking them vertically. This dimensional arrangement improves vibration isolation performance while minimizing the heightwise footprint of the suspension system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Force

If link rods with ball joints are used, then load transmission along the axis is achieved, but the system remains statically determinate with limited vibration isolation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload transmissionVSAvoidvibration isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible couplings are introduced as intermediary elements between the link rods and the attachment points. These couplings contain isolators that attenuate vibrations while the link rods with ball joints continue to transmit loads axially, thus adding vibration isolation without compromising load transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible coupling employs composite construction combining rigid link rods for load transmission with elastomeric isolators for vibration isolation. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve effective load transmission along the link rod axes and vibration attenuation through the elastomeric materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides a compact and reliable means to attenuate vibrations and manage loads, allowing for optimized dimensions and reduced complexity in engineering, ensuring accurate load distribution and effective noise reduction.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of elastomeric material between the two armatures, said elastomer layer being preloaded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

incorporating a flexible vibration isolator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration attenuation: Damping

Implementation Method 3

said preloaded layer being positioned between the two frustoconical surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS8020831B2Suspension for suspending a turbine engine from the structure of an aircraft

Publication Date: 2011.09.20 SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAS

AI summary

A suspension for suspending of a turbine engine from the structure of an aircraft using a beam with an attachment device which attaches to the structure and at least one link rod articulated via one end to a journal secured to the beam and via the other to a fitting secured to the turbine engine is disclosed. This suspension is one wherein the journal is mounted on the beam via a flexible coupling formed of two preloaded laminated, elastomer and metal, cylinders.