Wave Spring Mounting Assembly for High-Temperature Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire and overheat detection systems for aircraft and gas turbine engines face challenges with vibration damping, as materials like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) lose mechanical properties at high temperatures, leading to reduced effectiveness in monitoring thermal conditions and increased risk of structural failures due to resonance and high vibration amplitudes.
Innovation Solution
A vibration damping system using a wave spring isolator mount with a captive element and biasing element, such as a wave spring, to absorb and isolate vibrations from the engine, ensuring reliable operation at high temperatures without relying on thermoplastics like PTFE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If polymeric materials or PTFE are used for vibration damping in mounting systems, then vibration damping capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates at high temperatures above material transition points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from temperature-sensitive polymeric/PTFE materials to temperature-stable metal materials (such as stainless steel). This parameter change allows the mounting system to maintain vibration damping capability through mechanical design (wave spring geometry, captive element configuration) rather than relying on temperature-dependent material properties, thus ensuring reliability in high-temperature environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite mounting system combining multiple metal components with different functions: wave spring for vibration isolation, captive element for securing, and mounting bracket for structural support. This composite approach replaces single-material polymeric systems with a multi-component metal-based system that achieves both vibration damping and high-temperature reliability through synergistic component interaction.
2Measurement precision
If thermal detectors are positioned close to engine structures for monitoring, then detection accuracy is improved, but exposure to harmful factors worsens due to direct contact with hot surfaces and high vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wave spring isolator as an intermediary element between the thermal detector and the engine structure. This intermediary provides mechanical coupling for monitoring purposes while simultaneously isolating the detector from harmful vibrations and thermal exposure. The wave spring acts as a buffer that transmits minimal vibration and thermal energy while maintaining positional stability for accurate temperature monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: the detector element, the wave spring isolator, the captive element, and the mounting bracket. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the detector for accurate temperature sensing, the wave spring for vibration isolation, and the bracket for structural mounting - while reducing overall system exposure to harmful factors.
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 improved vibration damping and shock resistance, reducing stress and fatigue on sensor elements, enhancing the reliability and lifespan of fire and overheat detection systems in high-temperature environments, and can be applied to various structures requiring vibration isolation.
Implementation Method 1
A fire and overheat detection system includes a support structure connected to an engine case and extending within a fire-protected space toward a nacelle. The sensor elements are mechanically damped from vibration communicated by the engine case.
Implementation Method 2
A vibration damping system using a wave spring isolator mount with a captive element and biasing element, such as a wave spring, to absorb and isolate vibrations from the engine
Implementation Method 3
A vibration damping system using a wave spring isolator mount with a captive element and biasing element, such as a wave spring, to absorb and isolate vibrations from the engine
Data Source
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AI summary
Mounting support assemblies for fire and overheat detection systems are described. The mounting support assemblies include a support tube connector having a first portion and a second portion, wherein a captive space is defined between the first portion and the second portion, a fastener arranged at least partially within the captive space and passing through the first portion of the support tube connector, and a biasing element arranged about the fastener and positioned between an end of the fastener and the first portion of the support tube connector, the biasing element biasing the fastener in a direction toward the second portion.