REGULATOR FLYWHEEL ORDERS

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to flyweights, and more particularly to flyweights for governor assemblies such as used in Integrated Drive Generators (IDGs) or the like.2. Description of Related Art

[0002] IGDs use governor flyweight assemblies with magnetic flyweights. The flyweights use a soldered joint to connect an alnico magnet to a low alloy base or toe. Typically, the solder material for joining these components includes cadmium or gold. The magnetic flyweight is used to control a valve. As the flyweights revolve, a magnetic field from voltage applied to a coil interacts with the alnico magnets to control the swing position of the flyweights. The flyweights are connected through a linkage to a linear valve so that the swing position of the flyweights determines the valve position to control the amount of flow, e.g., flow of transmission oil, through the valve. For example, the further outward the flyweights swing, the less is the oil flow to the transmission, and the further inward the flyweights swing, the greater is the oil flow to the transmission. US 3 370 600 A and US 3 751 993 A relate to fluid governor valve assemblies.

[0003] The conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever present need for improved governor flyweight assemblies. This invention provides a solution for this need.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Independent claim 1 provides a solution to the above problem by a flyweight system comprising: a flyweight governor; a base defining a through-bore being thereby connected to the flyweight governor, wherein the base defines a track and a pivot axis therein; a magnet seated in the track of the base; and a tab mounted to the base, sandwiching the magnet between the base and the tab to retain the magnet in the track, wherein the tab is mounted to the base with a bolt extending through the tab and in threaded engagement with the base.

[0005] The magnet can thereby be devoid of solder joining it to the base and tab.

[0006] The base can include hardened steel. The tab can include low alloy steel. The magnet can be a permanent magnet that includes samarium-cobalt.

[0007] The through-bore can run along a pivot axis, wherein the track defines an open channel defined in the base along a direction parallel to the pivot axis. The through-bore can be mounted through a bearing to an axle of the flyweight governor extending along the pivot axis.

[0008] A control horn can extend from the base, wherein the control horn is connected to a linkage of a flyweight governor. A linear actuated valve can be connected to the linkage for linear change of position of a valve member of the linear actuated valve as a function of swing position of the base. At least one additional flyweight can be operatively connected to the flyweight governor for cooperative actuation of the linear actuated valve, wherein the flyweights are arranged to revolve about a revolution axis. The linear actuated valve can be in fluid communication between a fluid source and a transmission for control of flow rate between the fluid source and the transmission. A generator can be connected to the transmission, wherein the transmission is configured to drive the generator given prime mover input to the transmission. The transmission can be configured to drive the generator at a relatively constant rate given variable input rate from the prime mover. The transmission can be connected to the flyweight governor to revolve the flyweights about the revolution axis.

[0009] The features of the subject invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] So that those skilled in the art to which the subject invention appertains will readily understand how to make and use the device of the subject invention without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a system constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing a generator, transmission, and a flyweight system connected so the flyweights can govern fluid flow to the transmission; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the flyweights of Fig. 1, showing the magnet seated in the track; and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the flyweight of Fig. 2, showing the magnet sandwiched between the base and the tab without solder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject invention. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a flyweight system in accordance with the invention is shown in Fig. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments of systems in accordance with the invention, or aspects thereof, are provided in Figs. 2-3, as will be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used for governing flow, e.g., of transmission fluids in Integrated Drive Generators (IDGs).

[0012] The flyweight system 100 includes a plurality of flyweights 102. Each flyweight 102 includes a base 104. A control horn 106 extends from the base 104. The control horn 106 is connected to a linkage 108 of the flyweight governor. A linear actuated valve 112 is connected to the linkage 108 for linear change of position of a valve member 114 of the linear actuated valve 112 as a function of swing position of the base 104, as indicated in Fig. 1 by the three arrows 116. The flyweights 102 cooperate in actuation of the linear actuated valve 112 as the flyweights 102 revolve about a revolution axis A. The linear actuated valve 112 is in fluid communication in a flow line 122 between a fluid source, indicated by source arrow 118 in Fig. 1, and a transmission 120 for control of flow rate between the fluid source 118 and the transmission 120. Fluid can flow out of the transmission 120 as indicated by arrow 124, e.g. to return to the source 118 such as a sump. A generator 126 is connected to the transmission 120, wherein the transmission 120 is configured to drive the generator 126 given input from a prime mover, indicated schematically by arrow 128 in Fig. 1, to the transmission 120. The transmission 120 is configured to drive the generator 126 at a relatively constant rate given variable input rate from the prime mover 128. The transmission 120 is connected to the flyweight governor to revolve the flyweights 102 about the revolution axis A.

[0013] With reference now to Fig. 2, the base 104 of each flyweight 102 defines a through-bore 130 passing through a pair of tines 132 for connection of the base to the flyweight governor shown in Fig. 1. The base 104 defines a track 134 therein, which includes an open channel defined by surfaces 136, 138, and 140 of the base 104 that is open on the top 144, and the lateral sides 142 of the base as oriented in Fig. 2. A magnet 146 is seated in the track 134 of the base 104. The through-bore 130 runs along a pivot axis P, and the track 134 defines the open channel running in the base 104 along a direction D parallel to the pivot axis P. The through-bore 130 is mounted through a bearing 152 to an axle 154 extending along the pivot axis P, as shown schematically in Fig. 1.

[0014] With reference to Fig. 3, a tab 148 is mounted to the base 104, sandwiching the magnet 146 between the base 104 and the tab 148 to retain the magnet 146 in the track 134 without any need for solder joining the magnet 146 to the base 104 and tab 148. The tab 148 is mounted to the base 104 with a bolt 150 extending through the tab 148 and in threaded engagement with the base 104. Eliminating solder also allows elimination of costly or problematic solder constituents such as gold or cadmium.

[0015] The base 104 can include hardened steel (hardened relative to the tab 148), and the tab 148 can includes low alloy steel (low alloy relative to the base 104). The permanent magnet can include samarium-cobalt.

[0016] Referring again to Fig. 1, the coils 156 in the flyweight governor can generate a magnetic field from a voltage applied to the coils 156. The magnetic field determines the swing position, indicated by the arrows 116 in Fig. 1, of the flyweights 102, allowing control of fluid flow to the transmission.

[0017] The claimed invention, as described above in details and shown in the drawings, provides a flyweight system with superior properties including elimination of solder from the flyweights.

Claims

1. A flyweight system comprising: a flyweight governor; a base (104) defining a through-bore (130) being thereby connected to the flyweight governor, wherein the base (104) defines a track (134) and a pivot axis (P) therein; a magnet (146) seated in the track (134) of the base (104); and a tab (148) mounted to the base (104), sandwiching the magnet (146) between the base (104) and the tab (148) to retain the magnet (146) in the track (134), characterized in that the tab (148) is mounted to the base (104) with a bolt extending through the tab (148) and in threaded engagement with the base (104).

2. The flyweight system as recited in claim 1, wherein the base (104) includes hardened steel.

3. The flyweight system as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the tab (148) includes low alloy steel.

4. The flyweight system as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the magnet (146) is a permanent magnet that includes samarium-cobalt.

5. The flyweight system as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the through-bore (130) runs along the pivot axis, and wherein the track (134) defines an open channel defined in the base (104) along a direction parallel to the pivot axis (P).

6. The flyweight system as recited in any preceding claim, wherein the through-bore (130) is mounted to a bearing (152) that is mounted to an axle (154) of the flyweight governor extending along the pivot axis (P).

7. The flyweight system as recited in any preceding claim, further comprising a control horn (106) extending from the base (104), wherein the control horn (106) is connected to a linkage of the flyweight governor.

8. The flyweight system as recited in claim 7, further comprising a linear actuated valve (112) connected to the linkage for linear change of position of a valve member of the linear actuated valve (112) as a function of a swing position (116) of the base (104).

9. The flyweight system as recited in claim 8, wherein the base (104) and the tab (148) are comprised in a first flyweight (102) and further comprising at least a second flyweight (102) operatively connected to the flyweight governor for cooperative actuation of the linear actuated valve (112), wherein the first and second flyweights (102) are arranged to revolve about a revolution axis (A).

10. The flyweight system as recited in claim 9, the flyweight system further comprising: a fluid source and a transmission; wherein the linear actuated valve (112) is in fluid communication between the fluid source and the transmission for control of flow rate between the fluid source and the transmission.

11. The flyweight system as recited in claim 10, the flyweight system further comprising: a generator connected to the transmission, wherein the transmission is configured to drive the generator given a prime mover input to the transmission.

12. The flyweight system as recited in claim 11, wherein the transmission is configured to drive the generator at a relatively constant rate given a variable input rate from the prime mover (128).

13. The flyweight system as recited in claim 12, wherein the transmission is connected to the flyweight governor to revolve the flyweights (102) about the revolution axis (A).