Axial Engagement Variable Damper for Aircraft Nose Wheel Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft nose wheel actuators with fixed damping coefficients suffer from reduced responsiveness and performance due to constant drag torque, necessitating larger sizes to compensate, which is inefficient and limits performance.
Innovation Solution
An axial engagement-controlled variable damper system that adjusts magnetic coupling between a stator and rotor assembly through axially movable flux sleeves and rotor portions, allowing for variable drag torque generation by altering the degree of axial engagement, utilizing passive or hydraulic actuators to control the position of these components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed damping coefficient is used in the rotary damper, then the drag torque is constant and simple to control, but the responsiveness and performance of the nose wheel actuator are limited and size requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the damping coefficient variable rather than fixed. The rotor assembly can be axially displaced between at least two positions, which dynamically changes the magnetic coupling between the stator and rotor assembly. This axial displacement allows the damping coefficient to be adjusted in real-time, enabling the system to adapt to different operational conditions and improve responsiveness while maintaining simple control through axial position changes.
2Device complexity
If a fixed damping coefficient is used in the rotary damper, then the structure is simple, but the size requirements for the nose wheel actuator increase to overcome the fixed drag torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces actuator size by implementing a variable damping coefficient through axial displacement of the rotor assembly. By allowing the rotor assembly to move axially between positions, the magnetic coupling is dynamically adjusted, enabling the damper to provide appropriate drag torque only when needed. This eliminates the requirement for a continuously high damping coefficient, allowing for a more compact and lighter actuator design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the damping parameter from fixed to variable by altering the axial position of the rotor assembly. This parameter change allows the system to optimize performance across different operating conditions without requiring a larger actuator, as the damping coefficient adapts to match the actual needs of the nose wheel actuation.
3Productivity
If axial engagement control is implemented to vary drag torque, then responsiveness and performance improve, but the device complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by using the existing rotor assembly's axial displacement capability to control the damping coefficient. The rotor assembly serves both as the rotating component for actuation and as the variable damping control element. This eliminates the need for separate damping control mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved performance through variable drag torque.
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
Enables continuous adjustment of drag torque based on axial engagement, improving responsiveness and reducing the size requirements of nose wheel actuators by varying the drag torque in response to different operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the flux sleeve is configured to alter magnetic coupling between the stator with the rotor assembly in response being moved axially
Implementation Method 2
a permanent magnet electric machine configured to create drag on the nose wheel actuator through rotation of a motor shaft and permanent magnet assembly about an electromagnetic stator
Implementation Method 3
create drag on the nose wheel actuator through rotation of a motor shaft and permanent magnet assembly about an electromagnetic stator
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an axial engagement-controlled variable damper comprising a rotor assembly (240, 540, 640) coupled to a rotor shaft and disposed about an axis of rotation and a stator (220, 520), coaxially aligned with the rotor assembly. The axial engagement-controlled variable damper may further comprise a flux sleeve (250), axially movable relative to the rotor assembly between at least a first position and a second position. The flux sleeve (250) may comprise a circumferential flange portion disposed radially between the rotor assembly and the stator, and may be configured to alter magnetic coupling between the stator and the rotor assembly in response being moved axially. The axialengagement controlled variable damper may be configured to generate a first drag torque in response to the flux sleeve being in the first position and a second drag torque in response to the flux sleeve being in the second position.