Abort Gate Pulley Actuation to Reduce Arming Force and Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional abort gate actuation systems for larger, heavier gates require robust and expensive linear actuators, which are difficult to service and offer limited mechanical advantage, compounded by high costs for powerful electronics.
Innovation Solution
A pulley-based system with a winch and cable mechanism that uses readily available components to provide greater arming strength and speed, incorporating a pulley bar with a spring bias and electromagnets to rotate the flow diverting blade between positions, with sensors for automatic operation and mechanical advantage to reduce the required force for arming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If robust linear actuators are used to arm larger, heavier abort gates, then the gate can be armed with sufficient speed and strength, but the cost increases significantly and the system becomes difficult to service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional linear actuator mechanical system with a winch and cable system. The winch winds the cable to rotate the pulley bar, which in turn rotates the blade arming bar. This substitution provides the necessary arming force while using simpler, more serviceable components that are easier to maintain and replace.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate mechanical elements including the pulley bar, cable, and blade arming bar. These intermediaries transmit and amplify the force from the winch to the flow diverting blade, enabling heavy gates to be armed with sufficient speed and strength while using readily available, cost-effective components instead of robust linear actuators.
2Speed
If robust linear actuators are used to arm larger, heavier abort gates, then the gate can be armed with sufficient speed, but the required electronics become powerful and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pulley bar that rotates in an arc to convert the linear motion of the cable into rotational motion of the blade arming bar. This curved motion path provides mechanical advantage, allowing the winch to achieve high arming speeds with lower power requirements compared to direct linear actuation of heavy gates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the motion parameter from linear (as in linear actuators) to rotational through the pulley bar mechanism. This parameter change allows the use of a winch with lower power electronics while achieving the same arming speed, as the rotational mechanism provides mechanical advantage and force multiplication.
3Length of moving object
If traditional linear actuators are used, then the gate can be armed, but the stroke length is limited and mechanical advantage is minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension linear stroke to a two-dimensional rotational arc motion through the pulley bar. This dimensional change allows the cable to travel a longer path while the blade arming bar rotates through a smaller angle, effectively increasing the mechanical advantage and overcoming the limited stroke length of traditional linear actuators.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves faster and stronger arming of the abort gate while using cheaper components, ensuring efficient diversion of hazardous materials and compliance with safety guidelines, such as diverting airflow within 0.5 ms of hazardous condition detection.
Implementation Method 1
a pulley bar spring extends between the housing and the pulley bar to bias the pulley bar away from the blade arming bar
Implementation Method 2
the flow diverting blade is releasably fixed against the second position with one of electromagnets, latches, and pins
Implementation Method 3
A pulley bar mounted to the shaft is located adjacent to the blade arming bar. The pulley bar comprises a pulley bar pulley that receives a cable that connects the pulley bar to a winch
Implementation Method 4
the flow diverting blade is biased in the first position by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
An abort gate to divert airflow in an air system comprises a housing having a flow inlet, a primary outlet, and a secondary outlet. A flow diverting blade is mounted to a shaft within said housing. Rotating a blade arming bar also rotates the flow diverting blade within said housing between a first position and a second position. A pulley bar mounted to the shaft adjacent to the blade arming bar comprises a pulley bar pulley that receives a cable that connects said pulley bar to a winch and a tab on the pulley bar that extends towards the blade arming bar, such that rotation of the pulley bar toward the blade arming bar causes the tab to push said blade arming bar and also rotate the blade arming bar thereby rotating said flow diverting blade.