D-Strut Innovation Challenge

D-Strut is a sophisticated vibration isolation and damping technology originally developed by Honeywell. It allows systems to remain structurally stiff and carry large, dynamic loads as needed, while providing up to 40% damping.

INTRODUCING THE D-STRUT BY HONEYWELL

The D-Strut was first used over 25 years ago to isolate vibration disturbances on the Hubble Telescope. Then, other Space organizations began using it to damp vibration in necessarily stiff structures, such as weapons, engine mounts, and optic systems.

HISTORY OF THE D-STRUT

Image courtesy of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

HOW IT WORKS

As the piston moves up and down, an incompressible fluid (usually silicon) is forced through the orifice and the bellows. This shears the fluid’s molecules, which converts energy to heat and damps the motion.

• Adapts to a wide variety of aerospace applications

• Application scalable

• A combination of Spring and Damping elements tuned to reduce vibrations and their effects on structures

• Hermetically sealed (metal bellows) viscous damping element

• High load capacity, compact and lightweight

• Non-contacting moving elements nearly eliminate nonlinearities (rubbing, stiction, etc.)

D-STRUT FEATURES

D-STRUT VS. OTHER METHODS

The D-Strut performs better, weighs less, and lasts longer than other vibration isolation methods.

• Increased lifetime and reliability due to its 3 parameter design • Better performance• More controllable• Compact and lightweight

After more than 25 years of trademarked use in Space operations, we’re looking for ideas from YOU on other industries and applications that could benefit from this revolutionary technology.

DESIGNING NEW USES

D-Strut has created a crowdsourced innovation contest where entrepreneurs and people from all industries can submit their ideas for alternative D-Strut uses.

The grand prize winner will win $5,000 and the opportunity to bring your idea to life. Two to five semi-finalists will be awarded $1,000 each.

THE D-STRUT INNOVATION CHALLENGE

1. Go to dstrut.com/innovationchallenge.

2. View the contest’s official rules, and peruse the Idea Showcase to see other’s ideas and comments.

3. Submit an entry with your idea before 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on December 5, 2013.

4. The Judging Panel will evaluate all of the submissions and announce semi-finalists on December 12 and the winner on December 19, 2013.

HOW THE CONTEST WORKS

Entries will be evaluated based on compatibility and feasibility in the following areas:

•Application Compatibility: Is the D-Strut appropriate for the proposed application?

•Market: Is the D-Strut appropriate for the proposed market?

•Functional: Does the D-Strut solve a technical problem better than other solutions on the market?

•Alliance: Is the participant connected or aligned with the proposed market?

JUDGING CRITERIA

YORAM UZIELTechnology Director at Applied Materials

JUDGING PANELTOREY DAVISEngineering Director and D-Strut Design Engineer

PORTER DAVISD-Struct Technical Lead and former Technical Fellow at Honeywell

PAUL JACKSOND-Strut Co-Founder and former President of Dynamic Labs

KYLE HENDERSONTechnical Fellow

Go to dstrut.com/innovationchallenge and submit your proposal by December 5, 2013.

Judging will take place the week during the second week of December, and a winner will be announced on December 19.

Questions? Contact pjackson@dstrut.com, or visit our website at dstrut.com.

READY TO SUBMIT YOUR IDEA?