Automatic Blade Tracking and Balance System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blade tracking methods are manual, time-consuming, and require multiple iterations to achieve perfect rotor tracking, necessitating repeated stopping and starting of the rotor, which can be inefficient and impractical for real-time adjustments during flight or service.
Innovation Solution
An automatic blade tracking system that includes a blade tracking adjustment mechanism connected to aircraft blades, a measurement system, and a processor to automatically adjust pitch and balance, allowing for continuous tracking adjustments during flight using a permanently installed pitch control mechanism and balance control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual blade tracking adjustment methods are used, then the process can be completed with simple equipment, but the tracking time is excessive and requires multiple iterations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment methods with an automated system that uses sensors to detect blade position and a control mechanism to adjust pitch links. This substitution of mechanical manual operations with an automated control system directly reduces tracking time while accepting increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade tracking system performs self-adjustment through automated feedback control. The system continuously monitors blade position via sensors and automatically adjusts pitch links without requiring repeated manual intervention, enabling the system to service itself and reduce overall tracking time.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment iterations are performed, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but the rotor must be stopped and started repeatedly
Solution Approach 1:
The automated blade tracking system enables continuous adjustment of blade tracking during rotor operation. Unlike manual methods requiring stop-start iterations, the automated system maintains continuous useful action by adjusting pitch links while the rotor operates, eliminating operational interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback control where sensors monitor blade position in real-time and feed this information to the control mechanism. This closed-loop feedback enables continuous operational adjustment without requiring the rotor to be stopped, maintaining operational continuity while achieving precise tracking.
3Adaptability or versatility
If automated blade tracking system is implemented, then real-time adjustments during flight are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic blade tracking system that can adjust pitch links in real-time during flight operations. The system transitions from static pre-flight adjustment to dynamic in-flight adjustment, enabling adaptability to changing flight conditions while accepting increased system complexity through active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated blade tracking system serves multiple functions: it performs initial tracking adjustment, maintains tracking during flight, and compensates for bearing wear over time. This multi-functionality provides real-time adjustment capability and adaptability while consolidating multiple operations into a single integrated system.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple manual iterations are used for perfect tracking, then simple equipment is sufficient, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces iterative manual mechanical adjustment with an automated sensor-based measurement and control system. This substitution provides precise tracking accuracy by using sensors to detect actual blade positions and automatically calculating required adjustments, eliminating the time-consuming nature of multiple manual iterations.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system implements feedback control where sensors continuously measure blade position and feed this data to the control mechanism. This real-time feedback enables precise tracking accuracy to be achieved in a single pass rather than through multiple iterations, significantly reducing the time required for initial tracking while maintaining high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes an apparatus and method for automatically adjusting the tracking of one or more blades comprising: a blade tracking adjustment mechanism connected to one or more blades of an aircraft; a blade tracking measurement system that measures the tracking of the one or more blades; and a computer that receives an output from the blade tracking measurement system with tracking information for each of the one or more blades; wherein the computer outputs instructions for the blade tracking adjustment mechanism to change a pitch of one or more of the blades to correct blade tracking.