An engine mount using actively controlled fluids to provide both vibration attenuation and shock protection is being developed by small US business Form Fit and Function (FFF). Flight testing on a US Navy Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye carrier-borne airborne early warning aircraft is planned for next year, writes Graham Warwick.
Dover, New Jersey-based FFF's semi-active engine mount uses a magnetorheological fluid that can change its viscosity almost instantly. Small particles in the fluid react to an external magnetic field, allowing viscosity to be controlled. FFF says the mount can switch from vibration to shock mode in less than 2ms.
Design goals for the E-2C engine mount are 95% vibration attenuation and over 1kN (4,800lbf) shock protection. In recent ground testing, the mount achieved 65% attenuation and over 1.1kN protection. FFF expects an improved design to meet the design goals.
Source: Flight International