Aircraft Proximity Sensor Sealed Assembly for Moisture Ingress Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors used to detect piston position in harsh environments, such as aircraft landing gear, often malfunction in cold conditions due to moisture ingress through grooves, leading to potential blockage and malfunction.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of sealing means around the detection portion to prevent fluid passage through the groove, using materials like annular rings and O-rings to maintain a sealed interface, ensuring the sensor remains functional under varying pressure and temperature conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a groove is provided on the detection portion for angular positioning, then the detection means can be oriented with respect to the case, but moisture can ingress through the groove causing blockage in cold conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing ring is introduced as an intermediary element between the detection portion and the case. The groove is filled with sealing material and the sealing ring is disposed around the detection portion, acting as a mediator that allows the groove to serve its positioning function while preventing moisture ingress that would cause blockage in cold conditions.
2Reliability
If the passage is sealed to prevent moisture ingress, then reliability in cold conditions is improved, but the groove cannot be used for angular positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing is applied locally and selectively - the groove is filled with sealing material and the sealing ring is disposed around the detection portion in a specific location within the passage. This localized sealing approach prevents moisture ingress while preserving the groove's angular positioning function, rather than sealing the entire passage which would eliminate the positioning capability.
3Device complexity
If standardized detection means with grooves are used for orientation, then device complexity is reduced, but moisture ingress through the groove causes malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing solution is segmented into multiple components: sealing material filled in the groove and a separate sealing ring disposed around the detection portion. This segmentation allows the use of standardized detection means with grooves while adding modular sealing elements that prevent moisture ingress without requiring redesign of the detection means themselves.
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 solution effectively limits moisture ingress, preventing blockage and ensuring sensor reliability in low-temperature conditions, allowing for the use of standardized detection means without the need for new designs, and maintaining functionality under significant pressure and humidity variations.
Implementation Method 1
first sealing means disposed around the detection portion and placed inside the passage, these first sealing means being arranged to prevent the passage of fluid between the internal volume and the first zone external to the housing via said groove
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5d
AI summary
A sensor (1) comprising: - a housing (2) defining an internal volume (3) and having a passage (31) between this internal volume and a first external zone (Z1) of the housing; - a movable part (4) within said internal volume (3); - means for detecting a displacement of said movable part (4) comprising a detection portion (51) extending into the passage (31) and having a groove (52) open outwards from the detection portion (51), this groove (52) extending between said first external zone (Z1) of the housing and said internal volume (3) of the housing. The sensor (1) includes first sealing means (14) arranged around the detection portion (51), inside the passage (31), these first sealing means (14) being arranged to prevent the passage of fluid between the internal volume (3) and the first external zone (Z1) via said groove (52).