Rotating Control Piston Pressure Balancing for Clutch Auto-Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In aircraft low spool turbomachines, existing transmission systems face issues with auto-actuation of the rotating hydraulically actuated control piston, leading to unintended engagement of clutches, which is mitigated by using large springs that increase weight and size.
Innovation Solution
A clutch assembly with a rotating control piston that modulates between disengaged and engaged positions via hydraulic pressure in a control pressure chamber and a pressure balancing chamber, both filled with fluid, and includes orifices for fluid entry and exit, along with glide rings and a chamber divider connected to the output shaft, to prevent auto-actuation by balancing fluid pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large springs are used to prevent control piston auto-actuation, then reliability is improved, but weight and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the large spring component from the system by implementing a pressure balancing chamber that uses hydraulic pressure to counteract centrifugal forces, thereby preventing control piston auto-actuation without requiring mechanical springs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pressure balancing chamber filled with hydraulic fluid that uses fluid pressure to balance the centrifugal forces acting on the control piston, replacing the need for mechanical spring-based anti-auto-actuation mechanisms
2Reliability
If large springs are used to prevent control piston auto-actuation, then reliability is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the large spring component from the system by implementing a pressure balancing chamber that uses hydraulic pressure to counteract centrifugal forces, thereby preventing control piston auto-actuation without requiring mechanical springs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the pressure balancing chamber within the control piston structure itself, combining the anti-auto-actuation function with the existing control mechanism rather than adding separate external components
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 solution effectively reduces the incidence of unintentional clutch engagement by balancing fluid pressures, eliminating the need for large springs, thus reducing weight and size while maintaining reliable gear ratio selection.
Implementation Method 1
The control piston is moved between a disengaged position and an engaged position via modulation of hydraulic pressure in the control pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
Both the control pressure chamber and the pressure balancing chamber are filled with hydraulic fluid, and the control piston is moved between a disengaged position and an engaged position via modulation of hydraulic pressure in the control pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch assembly includes a clutch pack, and a rotating control piston selectably engageable with the clutch pack via movement of the clutch piston along an axis of rotation of the control piston. The clutch piston includes a piston member engageable with the clutch pack, a cover plate installed into the piston member to define an enclosed volume, and an axially fixed chamber divider positioned in the enclosed volume to divide the enclosed volume into a control pressure chamber and a pressure balancing chamber. Both the control pressure chamber and the pressure balancing chamber are filled with hydraulic fluid, and the control piston is moved between a disengaged position and an engaged position via modulation of hydraulic pressure in the control pressure chamber.