Aircraft Turbine Engine Module With Axial-Piston Hydraulic Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft turbine engine modules with variable pitch vanes face challenges due to the need for a rotating electrical transformer, which increases size, weight, and cost, and requires energy transfer from a stationary to a rotating frame of reference.
Innovation Solution
A module design with a hydraulic actuator driven by a pump with axial pistons, where the pump flow rate is varied by tilting a stationary main plate, eliminating the need for a rotating electric motor and transformer, and incorporating a reversible hydraulic pump with axial pistons to drive vanes without rotating fluid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a rotating electrical transformer is used to supply energy to the motor from a stationary frame, then energy transfer is achieved, but the module size, weight, and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the rotating electrical transformer from the system by adopting a hydraulic actuation system. The pump delivers hydraulic fluid directly to the hydraulic actuator, removing the need for electrical energy transfer components and their associated size, weight, and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the electromechanical system (motor + transformer) with a hydraulic system (pump + hydraulic actuator). This substitution eliminates the need for rotating electrical components and transforms the energy transfer mechanism from electrical to hydraulic, thereby reducing module size and complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a rotating electrical transformer and motor are used to drive the pump, then the pump can be operated and flow rate regulated, but the device complexity and number of rotating components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the electric motor and transformer from the pump drive system. Instead, the pump is driven directly by the rotating hub through mechanical coupling, eliminating rotating electrical components while maintaining pump operation and flow rate regulation capabilities through hydraulic control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating hub serves multiple functions: it drives the pump directly and simultaneously provides rotational motion for the hydraulic actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate drive components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional rotating components are added to the module, then the required functions can be achieved, but the overall dimension and weight of the module increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the pump drive function with the hub rotation. The pump is mechanically coupled to the hub, allowing the hub's rotational motion to directly drive the pump without requiring a separate motor. This merging of functions eliminates additional rotating components and reduces module weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub serves as both the rotational driver for the vanes and the drive source for the pump. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate drive mechanisms, reducing the number of rotating components and overall module weight while maintaining full functional capability.
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 design results in a more compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient module with reduced fluid leaks and simplified configuration, eliminating the need for additional rotating components.
Implementation Method 1
a supply pump for supplying fluid to the hydraulic actuator comprising axial pistons configured to be movable in rotation about the longitudinal axis and configured to transfer the fluid to the hydraulic actuator
Implementation Method 2
the main plate being configured to be stationary in rotation about the longitudinal axis and is tiltable relative to the longitudinal axis, the connecting plate being arranged between the main plate and the axial pistons, the axial pistons being able to move in translation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the tilting of the main plate causing the axial pistons to move in this direction
Data Source
AI summary
A module having a longitudinal axis, a hydraulic actuator, and a pump for supplying the hydraulic actuator with fluid, the pump can include axial pistons intended to be movable to rotate about the longitudinal axis and configured to transfer the fluid to the hydraulic actuator, a connecting plate connected to the axial pistons and engaging with an annular main plate centered on the longitudinal axis intended to be rotated about the longitudinal axis and tilted relative to the longitudinal axis, the connecting plate being arranged between the main plate and the axial pistons, the axial pistons being movable to rotate in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, the tilting of the main plate resulting in the movement of the axial pistons in the direction.