Ejection Jack Release Mechanism for Ram Air Turbine Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ram air turbine deployment mechanisms lack an efficient and reliable release mechanism for transitioning from a stowed to a deployed position, particularly in aircraft emergency power scenarios, where precise and controlled deployment is critical.
Innovation Solution
A release mechanism incorporating a locking mechanism with pivotable legs, a blocking pin, and solenoids that exert force to pivot the legs away from the solenoid, allowing the blocking pin to clear the locking mechanism, enabling the ram air turbine to deploy effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with blocking pin is used to secure the ram air turbine in stowed position, then the reliability of secure storage is improved, but the complexity of the release mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is divided into separate functional components: pivotable legs for movement, a blocking pin for locking, and solenoids for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability and controlled complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or complex mechanical release operations with solenoid actuation. The solenoids provide reliable, controlled electromagnetic actuation that simplifies the release operation while maintaining the mechanical locking mechanism's reliability during storage.
2Ease of operation
If solenoids are used to pivot the legs and clear the blocking pin, then the ease of operation is improved, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoids are activated in a controlled sequence during deployment: first to pivot the legs, then to clear the blocking pin. This periodic, staged actuation ensures reliable operation while minimizing total energy consumption by activating solenoids only when and where needed, rather than continuously.
3Reliability
If the blocking pin must clear the locking mechanism for deployment, then the reliability of deployment is improved, but the precision required for positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking pin is made rotatable and is rotated into position by the solenoid actuation of the pivotable legs. This dynamic positioning allows the blocking pin to move from a locked position to a cleared position through controlled rotation, reducing the need for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances while ensuring reliable deployment.
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
Ensures reliable and controlled deployment of the ram air turbine by overcoming spring bias and frictional forces, allowing the ram air turbine to transition from a stowed to a deployed position, providing emergency auxiliary power when needed.
Implementation Method 1
The first rod extends a first distance perpendicular to the axis and is configured to exert a first force to push the first leg and second leg away from the solenoid
Data Source
AI summary
An example release mechanism for an ejection jack includes a locking mechanism disposed about an axis. A pivotable first leg is connected to a pivotable second leg by a crossbar. A blocking pin is rotatably connected to the first leg and the second leg such that the locking mechanism abuts the blocking pin. A first solenoid includes a first rod abutting one of the first leg or the second leg. The first rod extends a first distance perpendicular to the axis and is configured to exert a first force to push the first leg and second leg away from the solenoid. The first leg and second leg are configured to pivot away from the first solenoid such that the blocking pin no longer abuts the locking mechanism.