Amphibious Vehicle Flap Fluid Actuator Wave Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amphibious vehicles face damage risks to flaps and support columns due to excessive loads from large waves, and existing solutions like flaps supported by springs and dampers can lead to resonance issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fluid actuator with a safety valve in the support columns of amphibious vehicles, which adjusts the swinging angle of the flaps by expanding or contracting based on pressure, and the use of compressible fluids to absorb loads, along with elastic members and orifice portions for damping effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the flap is supported by a spring and a damper to suppress the load or vibration acting on the flap, then the load and vibration on the flap are suppressed, but the natural frequency of the flap decreases and there is a possibility of resonance depending on the cycle of the waves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring-damper support system with a fluid actuator (hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder) that controls the flap's swinging angle. The fluid actuator receives working fluid from a power source, allowing active control of the flap position without the resonance issues inherent in passive spring-damper systems. The fluid pressure can be actively regulated to prevent resonance while still suppressing loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a safety valve that monitors and controls the internal pressure of the cylinder chamber. When the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold (indicating excessive load or resonance risk), the safety valve opens to discharge working fluid, thereby dynamically adjusting the system parameters to prevent damage. This active parameter control resolves the contradiction by adapting the support characteristics to operating conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flap is attached to the front portion of the amphibious vehicle to reduce resistance due to waves, then wave resistance is reduced, but when waves are extremely large, the load on the flap increases and there is a likelihood that the flap or support column will be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the support column dynamic by introducing a fluid actuator that can actively adjust the flap's swinging angle in response to wave conditions. Instead of a fixed or passively compliant support, the system actively adapts its characteristics, allowing the flap to optimize wave resistance reduction while preventing excessive loads through controlled movement and the safety valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety valve provides a feedback mechanism that monitors the internal pressure of the cylinder chamber and automatically discharges working fluid when pressure exceeds safe thresholds. This closed-loop control prevents excessive loads from damaging the flap or support column, resolving the contradiction between maximizing wave resistance reduction and preventing structural damage.
3Strength
If the fluid actuator contracts without resisting the load to reduce the swinging angle of the flap when internal pressure becomes larger than predetermined pressure, then the load on the flap is reduced, but the working fluid must be discharged through the safety valve
Solution Approach 1:
The safety valve is designed as a self-activating device that automatically opens when the internal pressure of the cylinder chamber exceeds a predetermined threshold. No external control or monitoring system is needed - the valve self-regulates the fluid pressure and protects the system autonomously. This minimizes the added complexity while achieving load reduction.
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
This configuration reduces the load on flaps and support columns, preventing damage and improving the reliability of amphibious vehicles by managing wave resistance effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a support column which has a fluid actuator capable of expanding and contracting in accordance with a pressure of working fluid supplied to a cylinder chamber
Implementation Method 2
a safety valve which communicates with the cylinder chamber, and opens when an internal pressure of the cylinder chamber becomes greater than a predetermined pressure to be able to discharge the working fluid in the cylinder chamber
Implementation Method 3
the support column may include an elastic member that receives a load from the flap
Implementation Method 4
the use of compressible fluids to absorb loads
Implementation Method 5
an orifice portion may be provided in a flow path which discharges the working fluid from the cylinder chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An amphibious vehicle includes a vehicle body; a flap supported at a lower portion in a traveling direction of the vehicle body to be able to swing in a direction in which an upper edge portion approaches and separates from the vehicle body; a support column which has a fluid actuator capable of expanding and contracting in accordance with a pressure of a working fluid to a cylinder chamber, is connected to the flap in at least a first end portion in a longitudinal direction, and performs adjustment of a swinging angle of the flap by expansion and contraction of the fluid actuator; a power source which supplies the working fluid to the cylinder chamber; and a safety valve which communicates with the cylinder chamber, and opens when an internal pressure of the cylinder chamber becomes greater than a predetermined pressure to discharge the working fluid in the cylinder chamber.