Dual-Drive Control Surface Actuation for Failover Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive arrangements for vehicle control surfaces lack redundancy in case of malfunction or failure, relying on a single drive that can lead to loss of control if it fails.
Innovation Solution
A drive arrangement with two independent drives that can be selectively engaged and disengaged with the output member, providing redundancy and allowing one drive to take over if the other fails, using mechanisms such as Hirth joints, friction clutches, epicyclic gearboxes, or strain wave-type gearboxes for seamless transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single drive is used to manipulate the flight control surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to lack of redundancy in case of drive failure
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into two independent drives (first drive and second drive), each capable of independently manipulating the flight control surface. This segmentation provides redundancy while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from single-drive to dual-drive configuration, allowing the flight control surface to be manipulated by either drive independently. This parameter change enables failover capability while controlling overall system complexity
2Reliability
If a single drive is used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability deteriorates as manual override is required in case of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring two independent drives before any failure occurs. This allows automatic failover without requiring manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-drive system provides self-service through automatic failover capability. When one drive fails, the other drive automatically takes over without requiring pilot intervention, making the system both more reliable and easier to operate
3Reliability
If two independent drives are implemented, then the reliability is improved through redundancy, but the device complexity increases due to additional engaging means
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging mechanism is segmented into separate first engaging means and second engaging means, each associated with its respective drive. This modular segmentation provides redundancy while keeping the complexity of each engaging mechanism manageable and independent
4Reliability
If two independent drives are implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases due to additional drive components
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the configuration parameter from single-drive to dual-drive, accepting increased weight as a necessary trade-off for improved reliability and redundancy in critical flight control applications
Data Source
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AI summary
A drive arrangement for manipulating a vehicle control surface, comprises: a first drive; a second drive; an output member for connecting to the vehicle control surface; first engaging means for selectively engaging and disengaging the first drive and the output member; and second engaging means for selectively engaging and disengaging the second drive and the output member, wherein the first drive and the second drive are mounted on bearings.