Actuator Internal Conductor for Piston-Housing Charge Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Composite materials used in vehicle components often lack conductivity, making it challenging to establish a conductive path between actuator components, leading to uneven electric potential and potential issues like charge buildup during events like lightning strikes.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design that includes a conductor coupled to the piston within the housing, maintaining electrical contact throughout the piston's reciprocation, using components like glands, guides, and retainers to ensure a conductive path between the piston and the actuator housing, even when composite materials are used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If composite materials are used for the frame, then weight is reduced and corrosion resistance is improved, but electrical conductivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive element is introduced as an intermediary component between the piston and the frame. This conductor maintains electrical contact with both the piston (through contact at the piston rod end) and the frame (through connection to the frame), thereby bridging the conductivity gap created by using composite frame materials while preserving the weight and corrosion resistance benefits of composites.
2Reliability
If a conductive path is established using additional components, then electrical conductivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive element is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the necessary electrical conductivity path, acts as a mechanical connector between the piston assembly and the frame, and can contribute to the structural integrity of the actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive element is integrated with existing actuator components rather than being a completely separate addition. For example, it may be combined with the piston rod assembly or the mounting bracket, merging the conductivity function with existing structural elements and reducing overall component count and complexity.
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 solution provides a reliable conductive path that prevents uneven charge buildup and enables safe current dissipation during events like lightning strikes, ensuring the actuator's operational integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The conductor is configured to electrically couple the piston to the housing as the piston reciprocates within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator includes a piston and a housing. The piston includes a piston shaft that is configured to reciprocate within a chamber of the housing. The actuator includes a gland electrically coupled to the housing. The gland forms at least a portion of a first end of the chamber. The actuator also includes a first conductor positioned in the chamber. The first conductor is coupled to the gland and to a first side of the piston to electrically couple the piston to the housing.