Valve Shaft Position Sensing With Annular Cam Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized valve systems in aircraft hydraulic systems have limited positional determination capabilities due to the restricted number of positions that can be detected by position sensors monitoring features on the rotary valve shaft.

Innovation Solution

A valve assembly with a sensor assembly that includes an indicator extending annularly about the valve shaft and a position sensor on the valve shaft configured to detect features of the indicator, such as cams, to determine the angular position of the valve shaft, thereby increasing the number of detectable positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a position sensor monitors a feature on the valve shaft, then the valve position can be determined, but the number of detectable positions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detection capabilityVSAvoidnumber of detectable positions

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator is segmented into multiple discrete features (protrusions, recesses, or reflective surfaces) arranged annularly around the valve shaft. Each feature represents a distinct detectable position, allowing the single position sensor to identify multiple valve positions by detecting which feature is currently aligned with it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator extends annularly in the circumferential dimension around the valve shaft, transforming a single-point detection system into a multi-position detection system. By distributing features around the annular path, the system gains the ability to detect multiple positions without adding multiple sensors radially.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an annular indicator with multiple features is used, then more positions can be detected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of detectable positionsVSAvoidsensor assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple position detection capabilities are merged into a single annular indicator component. Instead of using multiple separate sensors or complex multi-component systems, all position information is consolidated into one rotating indicator that presents different features to the single position sensor at different valve positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The annular indicator serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical linkage to the valve shaft, defines multiple detectable positions through its features, and acts as the reference element for position measurement. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12313185B2Valve assembly

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

A valve assembly has a housing and a valve shaft rotatable in the housing. A sensor assembly detects the position of the valve shaft. The sensor assembly has an indicator on the housing; and a position sensor on the valve shaft configured to detect a feature of the indicator to determine the position of the valve shaft.