Aircraft Drive Wheel Torque Transmission System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft ground movement systems lack an effective torque transmission mechanism through drive system components to enable autonomous movement without relying on main engines or external tow vehicles, leading to inefficiencies and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A torque transmission system for aircraft drive wheels that incorporates a drive means, a roller traction drive system, and a clutch assembly to control torque transfer, with a torque takeout element like a modified landing gear tow lug, designed to withstand and manage excess torque, allowing autonomous aircraft movement on the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a clutch assembly is added to control torque transmission, then torque control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A clutch assembly acts as an intermediary component between the drive system and the torque arm assembly, providing controlled torque transmission. The clutch selectively engages and disengages the drive means from the wheel, enabling precise torque control during ground operations without requiring complex control systems throughout the entire drive train.
2Strength
If a torque arm assembly with backstopping clutch is used for load sharing, then load distribution is improved, but torque transmission effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The backstopping clutch function is extracted and applied specifically to the torque arm assembly to prevent reverse rotation and manage overload conditions. This allows the torque arm assembly to provide structural support and load distribution without compromising the overall torque transmission effectiveness, as the backstopping mechanism only engages under abnormal reverse torque conditions.
3Device complexity
If roller traction drive system replaces gearing, then device complexity is reduced, but torque control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The roller traction drive system replaces traditional gearing mechanisms with a simpler friction-based traction interface. The rollers contact the drive wheel tire to transmit torque through friction, eliminating complex gear trains while maintaining adequate torque control precision through the clutch assembly's engagement characteristics and the traction interface's friction properties.
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
Enables efficient and safe autonomous aircraft movement on the ground by effectively transferring torque through drive system components, reducing reliance on main engines and external vehicles, while preventing damage from overtorque events.
Implementation Method 1
roller traction drive system
Data Source
AI summary
A torque transmission system is provided for an aircraft drive wheel drive system mounted on nose or main landing gear wheels to move the aircraft autonomously on the ground that effectively transmits torque through drive system components. The drive system includes a drive means capable of generating sufficient torque to move the aircraft, a drive system capable of generating a high torque capacity that activates the drive means, a clutch assembly that can be selectively engaged to control torque transmission to the drive system and activate the drive means, and a landing gear torque takeout element. The clutch assembly is configured to be inactivated and prevented from transmitting torque to other drive wheel drive system components when an overtorque event occurs. Aircraft drive wheel drive system components in the present torque transmission system are designed to withstand torque in excess of a determined maximum for the system.