Turboshaft Engine Failsafe Suspension Connecting Rod
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing suspension systems for turboshaft engines on aircraft pylons face challenges in ensuring safety during breakdowns, particularly with the rear suspension system, where vibrations and displacements cause the intermediate connecting rod to potentially collide with the engine or pylon, and require precise tolerances for mounting, complicating installation in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flexible element made of elastomer material, such as thermally resistant silicone, with a predetermined clearance in the connecting rod between the turboshaft engine and the pylon, allowing axial movement and deformation to avoid contact during normal operation, while enabling the rod to take up forces during a rear suspension system failure, thereby maintaining safety without exceeding load limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connecting rod is mounted with clearance to avoid contact during normal operation, then the rod remains isolated from the engine and pylon, but the rod may collide with the engine or pylon due to vibrations and displacements
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible element (elastomer material) is introduced as an intermediary between the connecting rod and the engine/pylon structure. This flexible element maintains the necessary clearance during normal operation while preventing direct contact during vibrations, effectively mediating between the rod and the surrounding structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The clearance parameter is dynamically adjusted through the elastic deformation of the flexible element. During normal operation, the element maintains a predetermined clearance; during vibrations or suspension failure, the element deforms to change the effective clearance, preventing contact while maintaining isolation.
2Manufacturing precision
If fine tolerances are used for mounting the connecting rod to ensure precise positioning, then the rod can be accurately positioned, but the mounting becomes complicated and time-consuming in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting tolerance parameter is transformed from a fixed fine tolerance requirement to a flexible clearance parameter. The flexible element allows for dimensional variations and simplifies positioning requirements, enabling easier installation in confined spaces while maintaining functional precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a static, precision-fit arrangement to a dynamic, flexible connection. The flexible element accommodates positioning variations and simplifies the mounting process while maintaining the necessary functional accuracy through elastic deformation.
3Reliability
If the connecting rod is mounted with sufficient clearance to prevent force transmission during normal operation, then the rod remains on standby, but the rod may still be affected by vibrations and displacements
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible element serves as a mediator that isolates the connecting rod from vibration effects while maintaining force isolation. During normal operation, the element absorbs vibrations and displacements, preventing them from affecting the rod, while still allowing the rod to respond to actual suspension failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible element provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing vibrations and displacements before they can affect the connecting rod. This protective cushioning is built into the system during normal operation, preventing harmful vibration effects from reaching the rod while maintaining readiness for suspension failure.
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 flexible element ensures the connecting rod remains isolated from the turboshaft engine during normal operation, minimizing force impact on suspension load limitations, and effectively takes up slippage momentum during rear suspension failures, enhancing safety and simplifying mounting by allowing adjustable and telescopic configurations.
Implementation Method 1
an element made of a flexible material is associated with said connecting rod so as to introduce said predetermined clearance by means of the elastically deformable nature thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system including a front suspension plane located at an intermediate turboshaft engine casing and connecting same to a pylon, a rear suspension plane located at an exhaust casing of the turboshaft engine and connecting same to the pylon, and a failsafe intermediate suspension plane located between the front and rear planes and including at least one connecting rod connecting the turboshaft engine having a structural outer casing to the pylon, the connecting rod mounted on the turboshaft engine with a predetermined clearance that renders the connecting rod inoperable while the suspension system of the rear plane is operating. The connecting rod is advantageously arranged between the outer casing and the pylon, and an element made of a flexible material is combined with the connecting rod to create the predetermined clearance by an elastically deformable nature thereof.