Hydraulic Actuator Thermal Protection Using a Eutectic Flow Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel hydraulic actuators for gas turbine engines face challenges with thermal protection, as traditional methods increase weight, require maintenance, and can lead to leaks, making them difficult to handle and control precisely.
Innovation Solution
An actuator design featuring a housing with dual inlets and a movable actuator rod, utilizing a plug with a central bore filled with eutectic material that transitions states based on temperature to isolate or allow fluid flow between pressure zones, providing thermal protection without significant weight increase or maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal insulation is applied to the external surfaces of the actuator, then thermal protection is provided, but the weight of the actuator increases and maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the eutectic material in the plug from solid to liquid based on temperature, allowing it to transition between blocking and permitting fluid flow. This thermal-responsive parameter change provides thermal protection without requiring additional insulation materials that would increase weight
Solution Approach 2:
The eutectic material in the plug automatically responds to temperature changes by changing its state, providing self-regulating thermal protection. The system serves itself by using the temperature-sensitive properties of the eutectic material to control fluid flow and protect seals without external control or maintenance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal insulation is applied to the external surfaces of the actuator, then thermal protection is provided, but the actuator becomes difficult to handle for assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The eutectic material's temperature-dependent state change provides thermal protection only when needed, keeping the actuator structure simple and easy to handle during assembly and normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal protection function is extracted from the external insulation and integrated into the internal plug mechanism, eliminating the need for bulky external insulation that would hinder handling
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the actuator leaks internally between pressure zones, then thermal protection is provided, but the load on the pump increases and position control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The eutectic material changes its physical state based on temperature, transitioning from a solid state that blocks fluid flow (preventing leaks and maintaining position precision) to a liquid state that allows fluid flow (providing thermal protection when overheating occurs)
Solution Approach 2:
The plug with eutectic material acts as an intermediary between the first and second pressure zones, controlling fluid flow based on temperature conditions. It mediates between the need to prevent leaks for precise control and the need to allow flow for thermal protection
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 actuator achieves leakproof operation and precise positioning while reducing the load on pumps, extending seal life and improving handling and assembly ease, with the thermal protection system enabling cooling to prevent overheating.
Implementation Method 1
The eutectic material transitions from the solid state to the liquid state based on a temperature of the actuator rod
Implementation Method 2
based on a temperature of the actuator rod
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator includes a housing that defines a first inlet to receive a fluid, a second inlet to receive the fluid and a chamber. The actuator includes an actuator rod movably coupled to the housing. The actuator rod includes a head. A first face of the head is responsive to the fluid from the first inlet, and a second face of the head is responsive to the fluid from the second inlet to move the actuator rod. The head defines at least one cross-bore. The actuator includes at least one plug coupled to the cross-bore to inhibit a flow of the fluid through the cross-bore in a first state such that the plug fluidly isolates the fluid from the first inlet from the fluid from the second inlet. The plug is to enable the flow of the fluid through the at least one plug in a second state.