Ballistic shield for dual engine single output shaft propulsion system

A ballistic shield containment system for preventing fragments expelled from a first engine from adversely impacting a second engine, comprising:

• a ballistic shield;
• a space frame assembly surrounding said ballistic shield and adaptable to being attached to a bulkhead;
• and
• a ballistic shield support truss system including a plurality of separate support truss members, with each truss member attached at one end to said ballistic shield and attached at an opposite end to said space frame assembly, whereby the support truss system retains said ballistic shield at approximately a mid-point between said first and second engines;
• wherein opposite ends of at least one of the support truss members are joined to spherical bearings to prevent transmission of moment loads between the ballistic shield and the space frame assembly.

A containment member adaptable for use in preventing fragments expelled by a first engine from adversely impacting a second engine, comprising:

• a ballistic shield comprising a substantially flat panel member of rectangular configuration;
• the panel member being formed of a metallic material having an optimal combination of strength, ductility and low weight density;
• and
• the panel member having at least one reinforcing rib extending outwardly from at least one face of the panel member to reinforce the panel member against fragment penetration and excessive deformation.

A ballistic shield containment system for preventing high speed fragments expelled from a first engine from impacting a second, adjacently disposed engine, comprising:

• a substantially rectangular ballistic shield panel member;
• a space frame assembly surrounding said panel member and at least a portion of the first and second engines, with said space frame including forward and aft space frame members each having a substantially horse collar configuration;
• a ballistic shield support truss system including a plurality of separate support truss members each having an end attached to the ballistic shield panel member and an opposite end attached to the aft frame space frame member;
• and a plurality of space frame truss members each attached to the aft space frame member and adaptable for attachment to a bulkhead wherein the forward and aft space frame members are attached to one another with elastomeric members compressed between the forward and aft space frame members to isolate and reduce shock forces from propagating through the space frame assembly.

An engine support assembly and ballistic shield containment system adaptable for use with first and second adjacently disposed turboshaft engines connected through a common gearbox to a single propeller shaft, comprising:

• a space frame assembly including forward and aft horse collar shaped space frame members positioned adjacent to one another;
• an elasomeric assembly joining the forward and aft space frame members;
• a space frame truss system attached to the aft space frame member and adaptable to being attached to a bulkhead;
• a ballistic shield panel member disposed at approximately the mid-point between the first and second engines, including at least one reinforcing rib extending outwardly from at least one face of the panel member;
• and
• a ballistic shield support truss system including a plurality of separate support truss members extending between and attached to the ballistic shield panel member and the aft horse collar shaped space frame member for supporting the panel against fragment penetration from the damaged power section and excessive panel displacement of more than about 2-3 inches relative to the unaffected power section.