Adjustable AoA Sensor Damper Gap for Consistent Dynamic Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle of attack sensors face variations in dynamic response due to component tolerances and fluid viscosity, leading to inconsistent damping performance.
Innovation Solution
A damper assembly with an axially adjustable damper housing and locking mechanism that allows for precise adjustment of the gap between the rotor and housing, enabling customization of damping characteristics to account for mechanical tolerances and fluid viscosity variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard dampers with fixed components are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but dynamic response varies due to component tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The damper housing is made adjustable relative to the rotor, allowing the gap between them to be modified. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the damper to compensate for tolerance variations and optimize damping characteristics, directly addressing the reliability issue while introducing controlled complexity through the adjustment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap between the rotor and damper housing is identified as a critical parameter that can be adjusted to change damping characteristics. By making this parameter variable rather than fixed, the system can adapt to different operating conditions and tolerance variations, improving dynamic response consistency.
2Measurement precision
If adjustable damping characteristics are implemented, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable damper housing allows optimization of the damping characteristics to match specific measurement requirements. This dynamic capability enables fine-tuning of the system for improved measurement precision while the locking mechanism prevents unnecessary complexity from continuous adjustment features.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism allows preliminary optimization of the damping gap during assembly or maintenance. By performing this adjustment in advance, the system achieves optimal measurement precision without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise gap adjustment is enabled, then damping performance consistency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable gap mechanism allows precise dimensioning to be performed after assembly rather than requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances during production. This preliminary adjustment action significantly reduces the complexity of manufacturing while achieving the desired precision in the final assembled state.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded adjustment mechanism serves as an intermediary that translates simple rotational motion into precise linear adjustment of the gap. This intermediary mechanism provides fine control over the gap dimension without requiring complex manufacturing processes.
4Reliability
If tolerances among damper components are reduced, then dynamic response variation decreases, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing tolerances to achieve consistency, the invention introduces a dynamic adjustment capability that allows the system to compensate for tolerance variations. This approach maintains ease of manufacture with standard tolerances while achieving consistent damping performance through adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the critical gap parameter after assembly through adjustment, rather than relying on tight manufacturing tolerances to control this parameter during production. This parameter change approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining damping performance consistency.
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 damper assembly provides consistent and precise damping performance, improving measurement accuracy by minimizing oscillations and enhancing design flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a viscous damping fluid in the chamber. The rotor is rotated in the chamber. The viscous damping fluid provides damping to the rotor.
Data Source
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AI summary
A damper assembly (22; 22A) for an angle of attack sensor (10), the damper assembly (22; 22A) comprising: a rotor (32; 32A) including a conical portion (56; 56A); a damper housing (34; 34A) in which the rotor (32; 32A) is positioned, the damper housing (34; 34A) being axially adjustable with respect to the rotor (32; 32A) and including a tapered interior surface (58; 58A) that matches a profile of the conical portion (56; 56A) and interior housing threading on an interior surface (58; 58A) of the damper housing (34; 34A); a body (30; 30A) having a portion positioned in the damper housing (34; 34A), the body (30; 30A) connected to the damper housing (34; 34A) to form a chamber (36; 36A) between the body (30; 30A) and the damper housing (34; 34A), wherein the rotor (32; 32A) is located within the chamber (36; 36A), and wherein the body (30; 30A) includes exterior threading (52; 52A); and a locking mechanism (50) adjacent the damper housing (34; 34A) to fix the damper housing (34; 34A) with respect to the rotor (32; 32A).