Air Data Probe Retaining Ring Axial Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for attaching air data probe heads to struts via brazing face challenges in precisely positioning the probe head within the strut before brazing, which can lead to difficulties in achieving a proper joint and requires manual holding during the process.
Innovation Solution
The air data probe design incorporates a retaining ring that compresses and expands to axially lock the probe head to the strut, allowing for precise positioning and rotational freedom, with an exterior groove and interior groove alignment enabling secure attachment and brazing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the probe head is attached to the strut via brazing, then the joint strength is improved, but the positioning precision of the probe head within the strut deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into two distinct functions: a retaining ring for positioning and brazing for bonding. The retaining ring segments the positioning function from the bonding function, allowing precise axial positioning while maintaining joint strength through brazing.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring performs preliminary positioning of the probe head within the strut before the brazing process occurs. This preliminary action ensures correct alignment and positioning is achieved prior to permanent bonding, resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and joint strength.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual holding is used during brazing, then the positioning can be maintained, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring provides self-service positioning by mechanically locking the probe head in the correct position within the strut. This eliminates the need for manual holding operations during brazing, reducing manufacturing process complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining ring acts as an intermediary component between the probe head and strut, providing automatic positioning and retention. This intermediary mechanism replaces manual holding operations, simplifying the manufacturing process while ensuring accurate positioning during brazing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the probe head is firmly fixed to the strut, then the joint stability is improved, but the rotational freedom of the probe head is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system segments axial constraint from rotational freedom. The retaining ring constrains axial movement to provide joint stability, while deliberately leaving rotational movement unrestricted to maintain adaptability. This functional segmentation resolves the contradiction between stability and versatility.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple attachment method is used, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the joint structural quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solution merges two attachment methods: mechanical retention via the retaining ring and permanent bonding via brazing. This combination achieves superior joint structural quality by incorporating both the simplicity of mechanical attachment and the strength of metallurgical bonding, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and joint quality.
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
This solution simplifies the manufacturing process, ensures proper positioning of the probe head within the strut, and results in a structurally superior joint between the probe head and strut, allowing for precise and secure attachment while maintaining rotational freedom.
Implementation Method 1
a retaining ring (18) being partially positionable within the exterior groove (38) and partially positionable within the interior groove (44)
Implementation Method 2
positioning a braze material in an annular gap defined between the probe head and the strut, and fixing the probe head to the strut
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An air data probe includes a strut including a socket defining an interior surface of the strut and an interior groove extending radially into the interior surface. The air data probe also includes a probe head partially positioned within the socket, the probe head including an exterior surface and an exterior groove extending radially into the exterior surface, the exterior groove being axially alignable with the interior groove. The air data probe further includes a retaining ring partially positionable within the exterior groove and partially positionable within the interior groove when the exterior groove and the interior groove are axially aligned to axially retain the probe head to the strut while allowing the probe head to rotate relative to the strut.