MOTOR ARRANGEMENT WITH SOLENOID
The motor arrangement with a solenoid plunger and coil system addresses the need for efficient torque management and position locking in aircraft actuator systems, enabling smooth transitions and precise control of flight control surfaces.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2025001795
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-02-22
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-29
AI Technical Summary
Existing aircraft actuator systems, particularly in more electric and all-electric aircraft, require improvements in actuation mechanisms for flight control surfaces, especially in transitioning between engaged and disengaged states, with a need for efficient torque management and position locking.
A motor arrangement incorporating a solenoid plunger and coil system within a motor housing, allowing axial movement of the motor shaft between positions, coupled with a biasing member and force transfer element, to engage or disengage torque limiting devices, enabling independent control of rotational and axial movements.
Facilitates seamless engagement and disengagement of torque limiting devices, providing precise control over motor shaft movement and torque transfer, enhancing the operational flexibility and reliability of aircraft actuation systems.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: MOTOR ARRANGEMENT WITH SOLENOID
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Indian Application No. 202411012620, filed on February 22, 2024 and entitled "MOTOR ARRANGEMENT WITH SOLENOID", the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND
[0002] More electric aircraft and all-electric aircraft are increasingly relevant in the aerospace industry. Although actuators for aircraft control mechanisms have traditionally been hydraulic / mechanical systems, electric drive systems (EDS), including an electric motor and an electric drive, are gaining increasing interest for aerospace applications due to the growing demand for more / all-electric aircraft. In some embodiments, a flight control actuation system using motors and electric drives may be used to move aircraft flight control surfaces to respective commanded positions. Typical flight control surfaces include ailerons, flaps, slats, and spoilers.In some embodiments, an external brake assembly is provided to lock the position of the motor, such as a solenoid-type brake attached to the motor shaft. Applications of motors with external braking systems also exist in other industries. Improvements are desired. SUMMARY
[0003] Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to a motor disposed within a motor housing, the motor including a motor stator and a motor rotor; a motor shaft that is axially movable relative to the motor housing between a first position and a second position; a biasing member biasing the motor shaft toward the first position; a magnetizable solenoid plunger axially fixed relative to the motor shaft such that the solenoid plunger moves in unison with the motor shaft between the first and second positions; and a solenoid coil disposed within the motor housing in at least partial radial alignment with the motor stator.
[0004] In some embodiments, a device is disposed within the motor housing at a location axially offset along the longitudinal axis from the motor stator; and a force transfer member is coupled to the motor shaft to move axially in unison with the motor shaft between the first and second positions. The force transfer element is configured to engage the device when the motor shaft is disposed in the first position. The force transfer element is spaced from the device when the motor shaft is disposed in the second position. In some examples, the device includes a torque limiting element.
[0005] A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the following description. The inventive aspects may relate to individual features and combinations of features. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not limiting of the general inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. Brief description of the drawings
[0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:
[0007] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an exemplary engine arrangement configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;
[0008] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the motor arrangement of [Fig.l], taken along line 2-2 of [Fig.l], wherein a motor shaft arrangement is shown in a first axial position;
[0009] [Fig.3] shows the motor shaft arrangement of [Fig.2] in a second axial position;
[0010] [Fig.4] is a schematic diagram of parts of the engine arrangement of [Fig.2]; and
[0011] [Fig.5] is a schematic diagram of parts of the engine arrangement of [Fig.3]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to designate identical or similar parts.
[0013] A motor arrangement 100 includes a motor 104 disposed within a motor housing 102. The motor housing 102 has a longitudinal axis LA. A motor shaft arrangement 106 is disposed at least partially within the motor housing 102 and operatively couples to an output shaft 108. In some examples, the motor shaft arrangement 106 and / or the output shaft 108 are coaxial with the longitudinal axis LA. In other examples, the shaft arrangement motor 106 and / or output shaft 108 are parallel to longitudinal axis LA. Motor 104 includes a motor stator 110 that is fixed relative to motor housing 102 and a motor rotor 112 that rotates relative to motor stator 110. In some examples, motor rotor 112 rotates about longitudinal axis LA of motor housing 102. In some embodiments, motor rotor 112 is also rotationally fixed relative to motor shaft arrangement 106 such that motor shaft arrangement 106 rotates in unison with motor rotor 112.
[0014] In some embodiments, the motor rotor 112 carries one or more magnets 114. In such embodiments, the motor stator 110 includes a stator coil 116 that, when energized, creates an electromagnetic field that interacts with the magnets 114 to induce rotation of the motor rotor 112. In some examples, the motor rotor 112 has a cup shape that surrounds the motor stator 110 with the magnets 114 oriented toward the motor stator 110. In some embodiments, a first controller 120 (e.g., an electromagnetic controller) manages the excitation of the stator coil 116.
[0015] The motor rotor 112 is coupled to the motor shaft arrangement 106 to rotate in unison therewith. In some embodiments, the motor shaft arrangement 106 includes a motor shaft 132 to which the motor rotor 112 may be splined or otherwise connected with an interference fit. In some embodiments, the motor shaft arrangement 106 includes a force transfer member 118 that rotates in unison with the motor shaft 132. In some examples, the force transfer member 118 is splined or otherwise connected to the motor shaft 132 with an interference fit. In some examples, the force transfer element 118 is configured to transfer torque between the motor shaft 132 and the output shaft 108. In other embodiments, the force transfer arrangement 118 is directly coupled to the motor rotor 112.In some examples, the force transfer member 118 is configured to transfer torque between the motor rotor 112 and the output shaft 108. For example, the force transfer member 118 may be secured (e.g., bolted) to the motor rotor 112 and splined to the output shaft 108. In still other embodiments, the force transfer member 118 is directly coupled to both the motor shaft arrangement 106 and the motor rotor 112.
[0016] According to some aspects of the disclosure, a solenoid arrangement 122 is disposed within the motor housing 102 for axially moving the motor shaft arrangement 106 relative to the motor housing 102. As will be described herein, axial movement of the motor shaft arrangement 106 allows for selective engagement and disengagement of one or more devices 140, such as an arrangement torque limiting device or a clutch. For example, in some embodiments, the motor shaft arrangement 106 is slidable or otherwise axially displaced between first and second positions. The device 140 is engaged when the motor shaft arrangement 106 is disposed in the first position (e.g., see Figures 2 and 4) while the device 140 is disengaged when the motor shaft arrangement 106 is disposed in the second position (e.g., see Figures 3 and 5).
[0017] The device 140 is disposed within the motor housing 102. In some embodiments, when the motor shaft 106 is disposed in the first position, the force transfer element 118 is engaged with the device 140. In an example where the device 140 is a torque limiting element, the device 140 inhibits rotation of the force transfer element 118, thereby limiting rotation of the motor shaft 106, the motor rotor 112, and the output shaft 108. When the solenoid arrangement 122 moves the output shaft arrangement 106 to the second position, the force transfer element 118 is removed from engagement with the device 140. For example, the force transfer element 118 is spaced from the device 140 by a gap G.In the example in which the device 140 is a torque limiting element, the force transfer element 118, the motor shaft arrangement 106, the motor rotor 112 and the output shaft 108 are freely rotatable relative to the motor housing 102 when the output shaft arrangement 106 is disposed in the second position.
[0018] In some embodiments, the motor shaft arrangement 106 is biased toward the first position using a biasing member 134. In some examples, the biasing member 134 is disposed at an axially offset location along the motor shaft 132 relative to the motor stator 110 and the motor rotor 112. In some examples, the biasing member 134 is a spring. In one example, the biasing member 134 is a Belleville spring. In one example, the biasing member 134 includes a plurality of wave discs. The solenoid arrangement 122 selectively overcomes the biasing of the biasing member 134 to move the motor shaft arrangement 108 to the second position, as will be described in more detail herein.
[0019] In some embodiments, the solenoid 122 includes a solenoid coil 126 configured to be selectively energized, and a solenoid plunger 128 configured to be influenced by the resulting electromagnetic field. In some examples, the solenoid plunger 128 is formed of a ferrous or other magnetizable material. In other examples, a coating, insert, or other portion of the solenoid plunger 128 is ferrous or otherwise magnetizable. In some embodiments, a second control device 130 (e.g., a electromagnetic control device) manages the excitation of the solenoid coil 126. The second control device 130 can operate independently of the first control device 120. Accordingly, the rotation of the motor shaft arrangement 106 and the axial displacement of the motor shaft arrangement 106 can be controlled separately and independently.
[0020] According to some aspects of the disclosure, the solenoid coil 126 is disposed within a central cavity of the motor stator 110. In one example, the solenoid coil 126 is disposed within a solenoid housing 124. The motor shaft 132 of the motor shaft arrangement 106 extends through the solenoid coil 126 and moves relative thereto. In some examples, the solenoid coil 126 is disposed in radial alignment with the stator coil 116. In some examples, the solenoid housing 124 does not extend outwardly beyond the motor stator 110.
[0021] When the solenoid coil 126 is energized, the solenoid plunger 128 is influenced by the resulting electromagnetic field to move more into alignment with the coil 126. The solenoid plunger 128 is axially fixed relative to the motor shaft arrangement 106 (e.g., with an interference fit with the motor shaft 132). Accordingly, energizing the solenoid coil 126 pulls on the solenoid plug 128, thereby moving the motor shaft arrangement 106 to the second position against the biasing of the biasing member 134. In some examples, the magnets 114 of the motor rotor 112 exert a pull on the solenoid plunger 128, but with insufficient force to overcome the biasing member 134.In such examples, the energization of the solenoid coil 126 supplements the force exerted by the magnets 114 to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member 134 and axially move the solenoid plunger 128 into further alignment with the magnets 114 and the solenoid coil 126.
[0022] In some embodiments, a stop 136 may be disposed at the motor shaft arrangement 106 to limit axial movement of the solenoid plunger 128 (e.g., to stop axial movement at the second position of the motor shaft arrangement 106). In some examples, the stop 136 is axially secured to the motor shaft 132 of the motor shaft arrangement 106. In some examples, the stop 136 is also rotationally secured to the motor shaft 132. As shown in Figures 3, the stop 136 engages a component within the motor housing 102 (e.g., a bearing arrangement 138) when the motor shaft arrangement 106 is disposed in the second position. In some examples, the stop 136 is a sleeve configured to protect the solenoid plunger 128 from wear and damage against the bearing arrangement 138 or another component.
[0023] In some embodiments, axial movement of the motor shaft arrangement 106 to the first position is limited by engagement between the force transfer member 118 and the device 140. In other embodiments, the force transfer member 118 includes one or more stops 119 configured to abut a device housing 140 or another axially fixed component within the motor housing 102. The one or more stops 119 limit the amount of force that the force transfer member 118 can exert on the device 140. Examples of aspects
[0024] Aspect 1. A motor arrangement, comprising: a motor housing having a longitudinal axis; a motor disposed within the motor housing, the motor including a motor stator and a motor rotor; a motor shaft disposed within the motor housing and extending through the motor stator along the longitudinal axis of the motor housing, the motor shaft being axially movable relative to the motor housing along the longitudinal axis between a first position and a second position; a biasing member biasing the motor shaft toward the first position; a solenoid plunger fixed axially relative to the motor shaft such that the solenoid plunger moves in unison with the motor shaft between the first and second positions, the solenoid plunger being formed of a magnetic material;and a solenoid coil disposed within the motor housing in at least partial radial alignment with the motor stator, the solenoid coil configured to move the solenoid plunger to the second position against biasing of the biasing member when energized. ;
[0025] Aspect 2. The motor arrangement of aspect 1, further comprising: a component disposed within the motor housing at a location axially offset along the longitudinal axis relative to the motor stator; and a force transfer member coupled to the motor shaft to move axially in unison with the motor shaft between the first and second positions, the force transfer member configured to engage the component when the motor shaft is disposed in the first position, the force transfer member being spaced from the component when the motor shaft is disposed in the second position.
[0026] Aspect 3. The motor arrangement of aspect 2, wherein the component includes a torque limiting arrangement.
[0027] Aspect 4. The motor arrangement of aspect 3, wherein the torque limiting arrangement includes a plurality of laminations disposed between two thrust bearings.
[0028] Aspect 5. The motor arrangement of aspect 2, further comprising an output shaft extending out of the motor housing, the output shaft being operatively coupled to the motor shaft via the force transfer member.
[0029] Aspect 6. The motor arrangement according to aspect 5, wherein the force transfer element is splined to the output shaft.
[0030] Aspect 7. The engine arrangement according to aspect 2, wherein the transfer element force is fixed in rotation relative to the motor rotor.
[0031] Aspect 8. The motor arrangement of aspect 1, wherein the motor rotor includes a cup-like rotor at least partially surrounding the motor stator, the motor rotor carrying a plurality of magnets.
[0032] Aspect 9. The motor arrangement of aspect 1, wherein the motor stator has an annular shape and defines a central passage; and wherein the solenoid coil is disposed within the central passage.
[0033] Aspect 10. The motor arrangement of aspect 9, wherein the solenoid plunger is at least partially rotationally aligned with the solenoid coil when disposed in the second position.
[0034] Aspect 11. The motor arrangement according to aspect 1, further comprising a first stop which prevents movement of the motor shaft beyond the first position.
[0035] Aspect 12. The motor arrangement according to aspect 11, further comprising a second stop which prevents movement of the motor shaft beyond the second position.
[0036] Aspect 13. The motor arrangement of aspect 1, wherein the biasing member includes a Belleville spring.
[0037] Aspect 14. The motor arrangement according to aspect 1, wherein the solenoid plunger is mounted on the motor shaft with an interference fit.
[0038] Aspect 15. The motor arrangement according to aspect 1, wherein the solenoid plunger is screwed onto the motor shaft.
[0039] Aspect 16. The motor arrangement of aspect 1, wherein the solenoid plunger is at least partially disposed within the solenoid coil and the solenoid coil is at least partially disposed within the motor stator.
[0040] Aspect 17. The motor arrangement according to aspect 16, wherein the motor stator is at least partially disposed within the motor rotor.
[0041] Aspect 18. The motor arrangement of aspect 1, wherein the solenoid plunger is a sleeve mounted around the motor shaft.
[0042] Aspect 19. The motor arrangement of aspect 1, further comprising a first controller configured to manage the excitation of the solenoid coils to control the axial displacement of the solenoid plunger.
[0043] Aspect 20. The motor arrangement according to aspect 19, further comprising a second controller configured to manage excitation of the motor stator to control rotation of the motor rotor, the second controller operating independently of the first controller.
[0044] Having described the preferred aspects and implementations of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims appended hereto.
Claims
Claims
1. A motor arrangement (100), comprising: a motor housing (102) having a longitudinal axis (LA); a motor (104) disposed within the motor housing (102), the motor (104) including a motor stator (110) and a motor rotor (112); a motor shaft (132) disposed within the motor housing (104) and extending through the motor stator (110) along the longitudinal axis (LA) of the motor housing (104), the motor shaft (132) being axially movable relative to the motor housing (104) along the longitudinal axis (LA) between a first position and a second position; a biasing member (134) biasing the motor shaft (132) toward the first position;a solenoid plunger (128) axially fixed relative to the motor shaft (132) such that the solenoid plunger (128) moves in unison with the motor shaft (132) between the first and second positions, the solenoid plunger (128) being formed of a magnetic material; and a solenoid coil (126) disposed within the motor housing (104) in at least partial radial alignment with the motor stator (110), the solenoid coil (126) being configured to move the solenoid plunger (128) to the second position against the biasing of the biasing member (134) when energized.;
2. The motor arrangement of claim 1, further comprising: a component (140) disposed within the motor housing (104) at a location axially offset along the longitudinal axis (LA) relative to the motor stator (110); and a force transfer member (118) coupled to the motor shaft (132) to move axially in unison with the motor shaft (132) between the first and second positions, the force transfer member (118) being configured to engage the component (140) when the motor shaft (132) is disposed in the first position, the force transfer member (118) being spaced from the component (140) when the motor shaft (132) is arranged in the second position.
3. An engine arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the component (140) includes a torque limiting arrangement.
4. The motor arrangement of claim 2, further comprising an output shaft (108) extending out of the motor housing (104), the output shaft (108) being operatively coupled to the motor shaft (132) via the force transfer member (118).
5. A motor arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the force transfer element (118) is rotatably attached to the motor rotor (112).
6. The motor arrangement of claim 1, wherein the motor rotor (112) includes a cup-like rotor at least partially surrounding the motor stator (110), the motor rotor (112) carrying a plurality of magnets (114).
7. A motor arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the motor stator (110) has an annular shape and defines a central passage; and wherein the solenoid coil (126) is disposed within the central passage.
8. The motor arrangement of claim 9, wherein the solenoid plunger (128) is at least partially rotationally aligned with the solenoid coil (126) when disposed in the second position.
9. The motor arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a first controller (120) configured to manage energization of the solenoid coil (126) to control axial movement of the solenoid plunger (128).
10. The motor arrangement of claim 9, further comprising a second controller (130) configured to manage excitation of the motor stator (110) to control rotation of the motor rotor (112), the second controller (130) operating independently of the first controller (120).