Electromechanical Actuator Assembly with Independent Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical actuator systems with redundancy often require complex clutches and mechanical fuses, leading to slow and limited functionality due to delays in switching between primary and backup drive mechanisms, and are prone to temporary loss of functionality upon failure.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical actuator assembly comprising two independently operable actuators, where each actuator provides a portion of the displacement, allowing for separate and parallel operation without the need for a clutch or mechanical fuse, ensuring continuous functionality even if one actuator fails, with each actuator being capable of relocating the other to maintain overall system functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a back-up drive mechanism is provided with clutches and mechanical fuses for automatic transition, then redundancy is achieved, but device complexity increases and switching time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly is divided into two independent actuator units, each capable of independently actuating the control surface. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex clutch mechanisms and mechanical fuses, as each actuator can operate autonomously without requiring transition mechanisms between primary and backup modes.
Solution Approach 2:
Both actuators are pre-configured and ready to operate simultaneously or independently. The system is designed so that both actuators are already in position and capable of immediate operation, eliminating the need for delayed switching actions when failure occurs.
2Reliability
If clutches and mechanical fuses are used for automatic transition between primary and backup drive mechanisms, then failure protection is provided, but the time to switch mechanisms increases causing temporary loss of functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operational capability through two independently operable actuators. If one actuator fails, the other can immediately take over without any switching delay, ensuring continuous useful action is maintained. The actuators are positioned and configured to provide uninterrupted control surface actuation.
3Reliability
If a back-up drive mechanism is provided, then redundancy is achieved, but the back-up mechanism may be less capable resulting in slow, damped, or limited functionality
Solution Approach 1:
Both actuator units are designed with identical or substantially similar capabilities, including the same motor power, screw shaft dimensions, and actuation force. This homogeneity ensures that either actuator can provide full functionality without limitation, eliminating the problem of reduced performance in backup mechanisms.
4Reliability
If two actuators are mounted back-to-back with rods displaced in opposite directions, then redundancy is provided, but the configuration requires complex mechanical arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The two actuator units are merged into a single integrated assembly with shared mounting structures, control surface connections, and housing elements. This merging approach reduces overall configuration complexity while maintaining the redundancy benefits of having two independently operable actuators.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electromechanical actuator assembly 100 comprises a first actuator 110 and a second actuator 120. The first actuator 110 and the second actuator 120 are coupled together end-to-end and are independently operable. A method of actuating a moveable element using an actuator assembly, comprises: coupling a first actuator 110 between a fixed structure 210 and a second actuator 120 so that the first actuator 110 is operable to move the second actuator 120 relative to the fixed structure 210; coupling the second actuator 120 to the moveable element; and moving the moveable element by moving the second actuator 120 using the first actuator 110.