Aircraft Control Surface Deployment With Sliding-Rotational Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft control surface deployment systems face challenges in efficiently using space, managing high loads, and avoiding lateral forces due to misalignment between actuators and cam bodies, particularly in high-speed aircraft.
Innovation Solution
Aircraft control surface deployment system with a cam body and actuator connected by a coupling mechanism allowing for relative movement between portions, enabling efficient space use and minimizing lateral loads through sliding and rotational contact points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If an actuator of higher specification is used to meet increased force demand on modern jet aircraft, then the actuator can raise spoilers at high speed, but the actuator becomes larger and cannot fit in the available space around the control surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention repositions the actuator from a conventional location to an adjacent position along the cam body's direction of movement. By utilizing the longitudinal dimension alongside the cam body rather than relying solely on transverse space, the design accommodates larger actuators within the available volume envelope of the control surface assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including a sliding contact that permits longitudinal movement between the actuator and cam body, and a rotational contact that allows angular adjustment. This dynamic coupling accommodates misalignment and enables the actuator to effectively drive the cam body despite dimensional constraints.
2Reliability
If the actuator is positioned away from the cam body to accommodate misalignment, then lateral forces are reduced, but space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the actuator and cam body, comprising a sliding contact and rotational contact that mediate the force transmission. This intermediary structure permits relative movement and rotational adjustment, accommodating misalignment while maintaining compact positioning and efficient space utilization.
3Productivity
If a rigid coupling mechanism is used between actuator and cam body, then force transmission is efficient, but misalignment causes harmful lateral forces
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a rigid connection to a dynamic coupling that includes a sliding contact permitting longitudinal movement and a rotational contact enabling angular adjustment. This dynamic structure maintains efficient force transmission for rapid deployment while accommodating misalignment to eliminate harmful lateral forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism changes the degrees of freedom between actuator and cam body by introducing sliding and rotational contacts. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to misalignment conditions while maintaining effective force transmission, converting potential harmful lateral loads into acceptable rotational and sliding movements.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft control surface deployment system for an aircraft structure, that can be a spoiler deployment system for an aircraft wing, includes a cam body, an actuator, and a coupling mechanism. The actuator moves the cam body such that it raises and lowers the aircraft control surface. The actuator is connected to the cam body via the coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism has a first portion connected to the cam body and a second portion connected to the actuator, configured such that the coupling mechanism allows some free relative movement and rotation of the first and second portions. Loads transverse to the axis of movement of the actuator, resulting from relative movement of the cam body, are not transferred to the actuator.