Adjustable Angle-of-Attack Sensor Damper for Consistent Dynamic Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Angle of attack sensors with rotatable vanes face variations in dynamic response due to implicit variations in damper components, leading to inconsistent damping performance affected by mechanical tolerances and fluid viscosity.
Innovation Solution
A damper assembly with a locking mechanism and adjustable gap between the rotor and damper housing, allowing for precise adjustment of damping characteristics by threading or unthreading the damper housing, which is then fixed using a locking mechanism to achieve optimal damping performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed damper assembly is used in the angle of attack sensor, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the dynamic response varies due to implicit variation from mechanical tolerances and fluid viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The damper assembly is designed with adjustable components including the damper housing, end caps, and spacers that can be positioned at different locations along the vane shaft. This allows the gap between the rotor and stator to be adjusted, enabling customization of damping characteristics to compensate for variations in mechanical tolerances and fluid viscosity, thereby improving dynamic response consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows changing physical parameters of the damper assembly such as the gap width between rotor and stator, the position of damper components along the vane shaft, and the selection of different fluid viscosities. By adjusting these parameters, the damping performance can be optimized to account for implicit variations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
2Reliability
If standard damper components with implicit variation are used, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the angle of attack sensor requires more units to ensure proper functioning
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable damper assembly allows each sensor to be customized during assembly to ensure proper functioning, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple sensors to account for tolerance variations. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability while simplifying the manufacturing process through post-production adjustment rather than precision manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper assembly includes adjustment mechanisms that allow the sensor to be self-adjusted during assembly to achieve optimal performance. This self-adjustment capability ensures proper functioning without requiring high-precision manufacturing, reducing the number of units needed while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the damper housing is made adjustable with threading mechanism, then the damping performance can be customized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The damper housing incorporates a threading mechanism that allows adjustable positioning relative to the vane shaft and other components. This enables customization of the damping performance by adjusting the gap between rotor and stator, providing adaptability while using a relatively simple mechanical threading approach rather than complex electronic or hydraulic systems.
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 adjustable damper assembly enhances the dynamic response of the angle of attack sensor by allowing customization of damping performance to account for mechanical tolerances and fluid viscosity variations, resulting in improved accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A viscous damping fluid is provided in the chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A damper assembly (22; 22A) for an angle of attack sensor (10) includes a rotor (32; 32A) including a conical portion (56; 56A), a damper housing (34; 34A) in which the rotor (32; 32A) is positioned, the damper housing (34; 34A) being configured to be adjusted axially with respect to the rotor (32; 32A) and including a tapered interior surface (58; 58A) that matches a profile of the conical portion (56; 56A), and a locking mechanism (50) adjacent the damper housing (34; 34A).