Actuator Door Seal Preload Adjustment via Elastic Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current adjustment procedures for actuator-controlled doors, such as inlet doors on aeronautical vehicles, fail to consistently achieve the required balance between door seal preload and seal compression due to dimension tolerance variations in door components, leading to a narrow window of adjustment tolerance.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a hinged linkage with a linear actuator coupled to a rod with a threaded end that mates with a ferrule nut, using elastic elements like Belleville washers to achieve desired preload, and a systematic adjustment process involving extension, retraction, and rotation of nuts to compress the elastic elements, ensuring proper alignment and seal integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the current sequential adjustment procedure is used to adjust the clevis and adjustment nut, then the door can be adjusted in the open position, but the door seal preload and compression cannot be simultaneously optimized due to dimension tolerance variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor seal preload and compression adjustment precisionVSAvoidconsistency of door seal performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element is pre-installed on the adjustment nut with a specific gap distance before the door linkage is assembled. This preliminary setup ensures that when the actuator is installed and the door is operated, the elastic element will be compressed to the correct amount automatically, achieving the desired door seal preload and compression without requiring complex sequential adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element acts as an intermediary between the adjustment nut and the door linkage system. By positioning the elastic element on the adjustment nut with a predetermined gap, it mediates the force transmission to simultaneously achieve both door seal preload and compression, eliminating the need for separate adjustments of clevis and adjustment nut.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If dimension tolerance of door components is present, then manufacturing is easier, but the narrow window of adjustment tolerance cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor component manufacturingVSAvoiddoor adjustment tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of gap distance in the preliminary setup phase. By specifying a particular gap distance between the elastic element and the adjustment nut before assembly, the system compensates for dimension tolerances in door components. This parameter change ensures that regardless of component variations, the final door seal preload and compression will be within the required tolerance window.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stress or pressure

If door seal preload is reduced to lower stress, then system stress decreases, but door seal compression may be insufficient to maintain fire barrier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stressVSAvoidfire barrier integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element performs a dual function: it provides the necessary force to compress the door seal (maintaining fire barrier) while simultaneously establishing the correct preload on the door linkage (controlling system stress). The pre-configured gap distance ensures the elastic element compresses to the exact amount needed, allowing the system to self-regulate both stress and seal compression without external adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 method ensures precise adjustment of actuator-controlled doors by balancing seal preload and compression, enhancing the door's operational stability and seal integrity while accommodating dimension variations in door components.

Implementation Method 1

placing at least one elastic element with a desired force constant over the threaded section of the ferrule nut; rotating the adjustment nut and the ferrule nut together to compress the elastic element against the stationary mounting

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8015667B2Controlled rigging

Publication Date: 2011.09.13 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP

AI summary

A method of adjusting a hinged linkage that has at least one linear actuator coupled to it, wherein one end of the actuator couples to the linkage and another end fastens to a stationary mounting by way of a rod with a threaded end that mates with a threaded aperture in a ferrule nut that has a threaded section passing through an aperture in the stationary mounting, comprises the steps of: extending the actuator to open the linkage; placing at least one elastic element with a desired force constant over the threaded section of the ferrule nut; threading an adjustment nut onto the threaded section of the ferrule nut with a desired gap between the adjustment nut and the stationary mounting; retracting the actuator to close the linkage; and rotating the adjustment nut and the ferrule nut together to compress the elastic element against the stationary mounting; extending the actuator to open the linkage; and rotating the adjustment nut to compress the elastic element against the stationary mounting.