Dielectric Pin Joint Assembly for Insulated Torque Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

In actuated ball valves, especially in wet environments like aircraft water supply systems, there is a need for a dielectric barrier to prevent electrical faults from the motor end from being transmitted to the metal ball shaft, while maintaining torque transmission and ensuring durability and safety standards are met.

Innovation Solution

A dielectric insulating insert assembly comprising elongate pins of dielectric material is positioned between the drive and driven shafts, forming a torque transfer engagement with an air gap to create a dielectric barrier, allowing for reliable torque transmission and electrical insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dielectric barrier is provided between the drive shaft and driven shaft, then electrical insulation is improved, but torque transmission capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidtorque transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric barrier is segmented into multiple discrete pins rather than a single continuous barrier. This segmentation allows the torque to be transmitted through multiple contact points while maintaining electrical insulation between the drive shaft and driven shaft, resolving the contradiction between electrical insulation and torque transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dielectric pins act as intermediary elements between the drive shaft and driven shaft. These pins provide both mechanical contact for torque transmission and electrical insulation, serving as a mediator that simultaneously achieves both functions and resolves the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If metal parts are used for durability and safety standards, then strength is improved, but electrical conductivity increases causing fault transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidelectrical fault transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dielectric pins are selectively positioned at the critical interface between the drive shaft and driven shaft where torque transmission occurs. This local application of dielectric material provides electrical insulation exactly where needed without compromising the overall metal construction and durability of the assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly combines metal components for structural strength with dielectric pin inserts for electrical insulation. This composite approach allows the metal parts to provide durability and safety while the dielectric pins prevent electrical fault transmission, resolving the contradiction between strength and electrical conductivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 dielectric insert assembly effectively prevents electrical faults from reaching the ball shaft, ensuring reliable operation and safety while maintaining torque transfer, even under conditions of resistance or jamming, and is simple to manufacture and assemble.

Implementation Method 1

a dielectric insulating insert assembly arranged to be positioned between a drive shaft and a driven shaft of a motorised drive assembly, the insert assembly comprising a plurality of elongate pins of dielectric material configured to engage, respectively, with the drive shaft and the driven shaft in torque transfer engagement, the pins providing a dielectric barrier between the drive shaft and the driven shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

the pins configured to engage, respectively, with the drive shaft and the driven shaft in torque transfer engagement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorque transfer: Torque

Data Source

PatentEP4043762B1Compliant joint drive assembly
Publication Date: 2024.12.11 GOODRICH CORP
  • EP4043762B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4043762B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4043762B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dielectric insulating insert assembly (20) arranged to be positioned between a drive shaft and a driven shaft (10) of a motorised drive assembly, the insert assembly (20) comprising a plurality of elongate pins (21) of dielectric material configured to engage, respectively, with the drive shaft (4) and the driven shaft (10) in torque transfer engagement, the pins providing a dielectric barrier between the drive shaft (4) and the driven shaft (10).