Aircraft Driveshaft Misalignment Detection at Splined Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driveshaft misalignment measurement systems are inadequate for aircraft with hard-mounted drivetrains, as they require direct access to the driveshaft, which is often obstructed by housing, and cannot effectively measure oscillatory misalignment across various aircraft types.
Innovation Solution
A driveshaft misalignment measurement system that uses accelerometers coupled to the drivetrain to detect acceleration data, which is then converted into displacement and misalignment data at splined connections, allowing for the determination of misalignment angles and notification of threshold exceedance, even in hard-mounted systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct measurement at the driveshaft is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to obscured driveshaft access in hard-mounted systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses accelerometers as intermediary devices mounted on accessible parts of the drivetrain (engine, gearbox, driveshaft housing) to indirectly measure driveshaft misalignment. These intermediaries capture vibration data that correlates with misalignment, eliminating the need for direct driveshaft access while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement methods (requiring physical access to the driveshaft) with accelerometric sensing and signal processing. This substitution uses electrical/electronic systems to detect and analyze vibrations, enabling misalignment measurement without mechanical interference or direct driveshaft exposure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flex-coupling driveshafts are used, then adaptability is improved for combating misalignment, but ease of manufacture deteriorates and applicability is limited to certain aircraft types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the existing rigid drivetrain system to self-monitor and self-diagnose misalignment conditions through accelerometers and processing logic. The system automatically detects, measures, and flags misalignment issues without requiring physical flex-coupling components, allowing the original rigid design to serve itself for misalignment management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement approach from direct mechanical parameter observation (requiring exposed driveshaft geometry) to vibrational parameter analysis. By monitoring acceleration, velocity, and displacement derived from accelerometer data, the system adapts to rigid drivetrain configurations without modifying the mechanical design or requiring flex-coupling components.
3Ease of operation
If accelerometers are used to measure misalignment indirectly, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to indirect measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through signal processing that correlates accelerometer data with known drivetrain characteristics and operating conditions. The processing computer analyzes vibration patterns, filters noise, and compensates for indirect measurement effects, providing feedback-refined misalignment estimates that maintain precision despite indirect sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages mechanical vibration as the measurement mechanism, using accelerometers to detect vibrational signatures caused by driveshaft misalignment. By analyzing the frequency, amplitude, and pattern of vibrations, the system extracts precise misalignment information from the vibrational behavior of the drivetrain components, maintaining measurement accuracy through physical principle-based detection.
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 accurate measurement and notification of driveshaft misalignment in aircraft with hard-mounted drivetrains, preventing damage and ensuring efficient torque transmission by utilizing acceleration data from accelerometers to determine displacement and misalignment at splined connections.
Implementation Method 1
accelerometers coupled to the drivetrain configured to detect acceleration data
Data Source
AI summary
A driveshaft misalignment measurement system for a drivetrain of an aircraft includes a driveshaft having a first end forming a driveshaft spline and a drivetrain subsystem including a spline adapted to connect to the driveshaft spline to form a splined connection. Rotational energy is transferred between the drivetrain subsystem and the driveshaft via the splined connection. The driveshaft misalignment measurement system also includes accelerometers coupled to the drivetrain configured to detect acceleration data and a flight control computer configured to measure misalignment at the splined connection using the acceleration data.