Aircraft Servocontrol Assembly for Multi-Material Modularity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft servocontrols lack adaptability and modularity, with weight and size being heavily dependent on location and force requirements, limiting their effectiveness in controlling various moving parts.
Innovation Solution
A servocontrol system comprising a power device with a hydraulic cylinder and a piloting device with a network of tubular cavities, where the hydraulic cylinder and piloting unit are made of different materials, allowing for differential expansion and modular design through additive manufacturing and a coupling device for improved adaptability and reduced weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the hydraulic cylinder and piloting unit form a single one-piece body made of the same material, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability and modularity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The servocontrol is divided into separate components: the hydraulic cylinder made of a first material and the piloting unit made of a second material. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function and material properties, enabling better adaptability and modularity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through specialized production processes for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The piloting unit body is designed as a universal component that can control different hydraulic cylinders for various moving parts of the aircraft. By separating the piloting unit from the hydraulic cylinder, the same piloting unit can be adapted to control different actuators with varying force and size requirements, enhancing versatility across multiple applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the servocontrol is designed with high adaptability and modularity for different moving parts, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piloting unit body serves as a universal control component that can interface with different hydraulic cylinders designed for various moving parts. This universal design allows the same piloting unit structure to control different actuators with varying force and size requirements, enhancing versatility while avoiding the need to design entirely separate control systems for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves adaptability through parameter variations rather than structural redesign. Different hydraulic cylinders can be specified with different bore sizes, strokes, and force capabilities while using the same piloting unit body, allowing the system to adapt to different moving part requirements by changing cylinder parameters rather than overall system architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different materials are used for the hydraulic cylinder and piloting unit, then adaptability and weight optimization are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different materials are selected for specific components based on their local functional requirements. The hydraulic cylinder may use materials optimized for hydraulic pressure containment and corrosion resistance, while the piloting unit body uses materials optimized for structural strength-to-weight ratio and integration with aircraft structures. This local optimization of material properties addresses specific functional needs without requiring complex multi-material manufacturing processes for the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation into distinct hydraulic cylinder and piloting unit components made of different materials simplifies the manufacturing approach compared to attempting to create a single multi-material component. Each segment can be manufactured using the most appropriate process for its material and function, then assembled together, avoiding the need for complex multi-material additive manufacturing or hybrid fabrication processes.
4Weight of moving object
If the servocontrol weight and size are reduced for specific locations, then installation flexibility is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The piloting unit body is designed with locally optimized material selection and structural features that provide maximum strength where required for controlling specific moving parts, while minimizing material usage in areas where full strength is not needed. This allows weight reduction without compromising the structural strength required for the specific application location and force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows optimization of the hydraulic cylinder parameters (bore size, stroke length, wall thickness) and piloting unit parameters (material selection, structural dimensions) based on the specific force requirements and available space at each installation location. This parameter customization enables weight and size reduction tailored to each application while maintaining adequate structural strength.
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 provides enhanced adaptability and modularity, reducing weight and size while ensuring reliability and extended service life by allowing differential expansion and facilitating the production of servocontrols for various aircraft moving parts.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the at least one hydraulic cylinder is made of a first material, the body of the at least one piloting unit being made of a second material distinct from the first material
Data Source
AI summary
A servocontrol for controlling the position of a moving part of an aircraft made in two distinct materials including a power device comprising at least one hydraulic cylinder and a piloting device configured to control the power device according to a command for movement of the movable element. The piloting device includes at least one piloting unit which further includes a set of electronic, mechanical and/or hydraulic accessories in fluidic communication with the hydraulic cylinder and a body delimiting a network of tubular cavities fluidically connecting the accessories and the hydraulic accessories. At least part of the hydraulic cylinder is made of a first material, the body of the piloting unit being made of a second material distinct from the first material.