Actuator Clutch Mechanism for Jam Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Actuators in severe environmental conditions and high shock/vibration applications can jam, leading to secondary damage and increased costs/weight when trying to prevent such events, and existing solutions like stronger components or torque limiters are costly and weight-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A fault-tolerant actuator assembly with a clutch mechanism that allows decoupling in case of jamming, using a rotatable clutch housing with pins that move between extended and retracted positions to prevent or allow movement between actuator sections, reducing the risk of damage and enabling adjacent actuators to compensate for a jammed actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stronger components are used to prevent jamming, then reliability is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is pre-configured with friction plates and springs that automatically engage to limit torque transmission when a jamming event is detected, preventing excessive forces from damaging the actuator or control surface without requiring stronger components throughout the entire system
2Reliability
If torque limiters or decoupler assemblies are added to prevent damage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is integrated within the existing actuator housing structure, combining the torque limiting function with the actuator's natural movement constraints. The friction plates and springs are positioned to work with the existing gear train and control surface linkage, eliminating the need for separate decoupler assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism automatically detects jamming conditions through the interaction of friction plates and springs, and self-actuates to disengage or limit torque without requiring external sensors, control systems, or manual intervention, thereby maintaining simplicity while providing active protection
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator assembly having an outer section and an inner section that are moveable relative to each other has a clutch assembly mounted on the outer section. The clutch includes a clutch housing, a clutch motor, and a plurality of pins. The clutch housing is rotatable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The clutch motor is coupled to the clutch housing and is configured to rotate the clutch housing between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The pins are disposed within, and extend radially inwardly from, the clutch housing, and each pin is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the clutch housing is rotated into the engaged position, the pins are moved to, and retained in, the extended position, and when the clutch housing is rotated into the disengaged position, the pins are movable to the retracted position.