Actuator Lock for Rotor Blades Using G-Force and Solenoid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator lock systems for rotor blades in helicopter and wind turbine systems lack a reliable mechanism to automatically disable flaps during high-speed rotation or system failures, potentially leading to unintended vibrations or control surface malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
A locking device that utilizes a movable locking member and a selectively engageable retaining device, which engages to lock the actuator in place during high-speed rotation, utilizing g-forces and an electromechanical solenoid to counteract rotor rotation, and a resilient biasing device to ensure the lock disengages at low speeds for maintenance and repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking device is designed to automatically lock during high-speed rotation, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for g-force sensing and retaining mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device utilizes the rotor's own rotation to automatically lock the actuator during high-speed operation. The g-forces generated by rotation directly act on the locking member to engage the locked position without requiring external sensing or control systems, making the system self-regulating and reliable while minimizing added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful g-forces and vibrations present during high-speed rotor rotation into a beneficial locking mechanism. The same rotational forces that could potentially cause actuator malfunction are harnessed to automatically engage the lock, turning a potential hazard into a safety feature
2Ease of operation
If a retaining device is used to hold the locking member in unlocked position, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases because power failure may leave the system unlocked
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional locking logic by using a retaining device that holds the unlocked position rather than a device that locks the position. This allows easy operation during normal maintenance while the inversion of logic means that power failure or loss of retaining force automatically results in the safe locked state, resolving the reliability concern
3Reliability
If the locking member is positioned towards the blade tip to experience higher g-forces, then locking reliability is improved, but the force required to retain it in unlocked position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the locking member dynamically within the blade structure to optimize the balance between g-force exposure and retaining force requirements. The locking member is located to experience sufficient g-forces for reliable locking while the retaining device is designed to provide adequate holding force at this optimized position, achieving both locking reliability and reasonable retaining force requirements
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 effectively prevents actuator movement during high-speed operation, ensuring safety and reliability by locking the actuator in place during normal rotation and allowing disengagement for maintenance, thereby enhancing operational safety and ease of repair.
Implementation Method 1
The retaining device may be any mechanism that can selectively retain the locking member... A convenient implementation is where the selectively engageable retaining device is an electromechanical actuator, preferably a solenoid. A solenoid is capable of providing a retaining force upon engagement by providing power to create a magnetic field to create a force on an armature (the locking member) to counteract the g-force of the rotor.
Implementation Method 2
a resilient biasing device arranged to bias the locking member in the direction of the unlocked position
Implementation Method 3
The locking device may be arranged to move radially with respect to the rotor, i.e. substantially parallel to the length of the blade so that upon rotation of the rotor, the locking member experiences a g-force towards the tip of the blade. The locking position is thus radially outward of the unlocked position
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device for use in a rotor blade, said locking device comprising: a locking member that is arranged to be movable from an unlocked position to a locking position upon experiencing sufficiently fast rotation; and a selectively engagable retaining device arranged when engaged to retain the locking member in the unlocked position. The locking device will typically default to an unlocked position during normal rotation and will only be locked so as to prevent movement when the retaining device is de-activated. A method of locking an actuator is also disclosed. The locking device has applications in helicopter rotor blades and wind turbine blades amongst others.