Electromechanical Aircraft Wheel Braking via Transformer Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wheel braking/driving devices using rotary joints face issues with wear, pollution, and complex electrical supply due to the use of hydraulic actuators, particularly with carbon dust and tightness challenges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of electromechanical actuators with a transformer-based contactless power supply, where a primary coil is fixed and a secondary coil is connected to the actuators, allowing for efficient electrical power transmission regardless of the crown's rotational position, eliminating the need for rotating connectors and simplifying the structure by placing the crown on the inner side of the wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic actuators are used with rotary joints for power transmission, then the device can achieve braking and driving functions, but the joints experience wear and pollution from carbon dust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation system with electromechanical actuators that are powered through a transformer. This substitution eliminates the need for rotary joints in the power transmission path, thereby removing the source of carbon dust pollution and joint wear while maintaining the braking and driving functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformer acts as an intermediary device that transfers electrical power from the stationary primary winding to the rotating secondary winding without requiring direct mechanical contact. This intermediary power transmission method eliminates the need for rotary joints and hydraulic seals, solving the pollution and wear problems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If rotary joints are used to supply power to the crown, then the actuators can be powered during rotation, but the tightness and sealing become difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical power transmission through rotary joints with an electromagnetic field-based power transmission system. The transformer transfers power wirelessly through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for sealed mechanical joints and thereby solving the tightness and sealing problems.
3Use of energy by moving object
If electrical connectors are used to power electromechanical actuators on the rotating crown, then the actuators can be powered, but the electrical supply becomes significantly more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer serves as an intermediary that simplifies the electrical supply system by converting three-phase power from the stationary side to single-phase power for the actuators through electromagnetic induction. This eliminates the need for complex rotary electrical connectors and sliding contacts, thereby reducing device complexity while enabling reliable power supply to rotating actuators.
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 solution provides a simple and reliable supply of power to electromechanical actuators, reducing wear and pollution, and simplifies the device structure by avoiding the complications of rotary joints, enabling effective braking and driving operations while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
the crown carries a secondary of a transformer having a primary arranged facing the crown while being immobile in rotation, the secondary being electrically connected to the actuators and the primary being adapted to be connected to a non-continuous voltage source
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a braking/drive device for an aircraft wheel mounted to rotate on a landing gear axle, the device comprising a stack of discs (116) of which discs fixed in rotation to the wheel alternate with discs fixed in rotation to a torsion tube (106); a ring (104) mounted for rotation on the axle and fixed in rotation to the torsion tube; electromechanical braking actuators (110) carried by the ring to selectively press the discs against each other; a drive member (130) to selectively drive the rotating ring; the ring carrying a secondary (120) of a transformer having a primary (121) arranged opposite the ring while being stationary in rotation, the secondary being electrically connected to the actuators and the primary being adapted to be connected to a non-DC voltage source.