Vibration-attenuating hard-mounted pylon

• US 8,328,129 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Smith, Michael R., Stamps, Frank B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Badawi, Medhat
• Application Number:
  US12/443,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20100090055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,252 Days
• Field of Search: 244/17.27, 244/118.5, 244/118.6, 244/147
• US Class Current: 244/17.27
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2027/002 mounted between the rotor drive and the fuselage
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/12 Rotor drives
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/02 Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems; Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems F16F15/005 takes precedence ; layered products B32B; suppression of vibration in ships B63; relieving load on bearings, using magnetic means F16C39/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2230/16 used in a strut, basically rigid
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 7/10 using inertia effect F16F13/108, F16F13/22, F16F15/10, F16F15/22 take precedence; stabilising vehicle bodies by means of movable masses B62D37/04; protection of buildings against vibrations or shocks by mass dampers E04H9/0215; arrangements or devices for damping mechanical oscillations of power lines H02G7/14

Abstract

A preferred embodiment of a pylon has six pylon mounting links for mounting the pylon to an airframe. Each link is considered “near-rigid” and has a spherical-bearing rod-end on both ends such that the link can only transmit axial loads. At least one of the links has a mass carried within the link and selectively moveable by an actuating means along the axis of the link in an oscillatory manner for attenuating vibrations traveling axially through the link. The actuating means may be an electromechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or piezoelectric system. By mounting each link in a selected orientation relative to the other links, the actuating means may be operated in a manner that attenuates axial vibration that would otherwise be transmitted through the link and into the airframe.

Claims

1. A vibration-attenuating link for mounting a pylon on an aircraft, the link comprising:

a singular rigid body having opposing ends pivotally connected to both the pylon and a rigid structure of the aircraft, the rigid body enclosing an interior volume;

a first volume and a second volume, the first volume and the second volume being at least partly defined by an interior surface within the interior volume of the rigid body;

a mass separating the first volume and the second volume, the mass being configured as a piston such that the mass is moveably sealed to the inner surface of the rigid body;

a first fluid line in fluid communication with the first volume;

a second fluid line in fluid communication with the second volume;

a third fluid line in fluid communication only with the first and the second volume; and

a fluid disposed in the first volume, the second volume, the first fluid line, and the second fluid line;

wherein the mass is moveably carried and translates within the interior volume of the rigid body in communication with the inner surface in response to commands by a controller, the controller being configured to move the mass in an oscillatory manner so as to create oscillatory forces;

wherein the oscillatory forces react against vibratory forces transferred into the body.

2. The link according to claim 1, wherein the body is cylindrical.

3. The link according to claim 1, wherein the oscillatory forces react against the vibratory forces approximate the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber.

4. The link according to claim 1, further comprising:

a valve in at least one of the first fluid line and the second fluid line.

5. The link according to claim 1, wherein the controller alternately applies fluid pressure to the first volume through the first fluid line and the second volume through the second fluid line so as to move the mass in an oscillatory manner so as to create oscillatory forces;

and

wherein the flow of fluid through the third fluid line is controlled by a valve.