Aircraft Actuator Holding Assembly for Connection Body Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft actuators can experience structural failures, leading to detachment and potential damage to the actuator and underlying structures due to aerodynamic and inertial loads, necessitating a solution to maintain the actuator within its normal working position.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a holding device with a body extending between an attachment flange and a lug, fixedly attached to the actuator's main body and hingedly connected to the actuator support body, which prevents movement of the actuator from its normal working position in case of structural failure, using aviation-grade titanium alloy and a lap joint configuration for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the actuator is hingedly attached to the actuator support body via a connection body, then the actuator can move within its normal working envelope, but structural failure of the connection body may cause the actuator to detach and move beyond its working envelope causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator movement within working envelopeVSAvoidstructural integrity during failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is pre-positioned and pre-configured in normal operation, ready to engage automatically upon failure. The device includes a holding surface and engagement feature that are already in place before failure occurs, eliminating the need for complex detection or activation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the actuator support body. It provides a secondary attachment mechanism that engages when the primary connection body fails, preventing the actuator from moving beyond its working envelope while allowing normal operation through the primary connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a holding device is added to prevent actuator movement upon failure, then damage to surrounding structures is reduced, but the device complexity of the actuator assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage to underlying structureVSAvoidactuator assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is segmented into distinct functional components: a holding surface for contacting the actuator, an engagement feature for securing to the actuator support body, and a body connecting these elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device is designed as a simple, robust structure that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. Its design prioritizes functionality and reliability over complexity, making it a cost-effective safety component that can be disposed of or replaced rather than repaired after failure events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the holding device is fixedly attached to the actuator main body and hingedly connected to the actuator support body, then the actuator is constrained to normal working position upon failure, but the attachment requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator position stabilityVSAvoidattachment configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device merges two attachment methods: fixed attachment to the actuator main body (providing stable positioning) and hinged connection to the actuator support body (allowing normal movement). This combination achieves both stability and operational flexibility in a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device serves multiple functions: it allows normal actuator movement through its hinged connection to the support body, provides automatic engagement upon failure, constrains the actuator to its working envelope, and distributes loads during failure events. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate safety mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11027823B2Holding device for an aircraft actuator

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A holding device for an aircraft actuator, comprising a body that extends between a lug configured to hingedly connect the holding device to a actuator support body and an attachment flange configured to fixedly attach the holding device to a landing provided by a main body of an actuator. The holding device is configured to prevent movement of the actuator from a normal working position relative to the actuator support body in the event of structural failure of a connection body of the actuator.