Flight Control Torque Transmission With Elastomeric Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current secondary flight control systems using u-joints and geared transmission elements are expensive and prone to corrosion, requiring costly sealing or coating solutions, while they need to accommodate various wing shapes and transmit torque effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of elastomeric couplings that are flexible in angular misalignment and rigid in torsion, replacing traditional metal transmission elements, allowing for torque transmission through obtusely angled torque tubes and eliminating the need for expensive sealing and coating processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional metal transmission elements (u-joints and geared transmissions) are used, then torque transmission and accommodation of wing shape bends are achieved, but the system becomes expensive and prone to corrosion requiring sealing or coating solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional metal mechanical transmission elements (u-joints and geared transmissions) with an elastomeric coupling system. The elastomeric material provides the necessary mechanical coupling while being inherently corrosion-resistant, eliminating the need for protective coatings or sealing mechanisms required by metal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction with an elastomeric coupling incorporating reinforcement elements (such as fabric or cord layers) embedded within the elastomeric matrix. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for angular misalignment and the strength required for torque transmission, while maintaining corrosion resistance.
2Reliability
If traditional metal transmission elements are used, then torque transmission is achieved, but the system requires expensive sealing or corrosion preventive coating solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional metal mechanical transmission elements (u-joints and geared transmissions) with an elastomeric coupling system. The elastomeric material provides the necessary mechanical coupling while being inherently corrosion-resistant, eliminating the need for protective coatings or sealing mechanisms required by metal components.
3Ease of manufacture
If elastomeric couplings are used to replace metal transmission elements, then corrosion resistance and cost reduction are achieved, but torque transmission capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite construction with an elastomeric coupling incorporating reinforcement elements (such as fabric or cord layers) embedded within the elastomeric matrix. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for angular misalignment and the strength required for torque transmission, while maintaining corrosion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the elastomeric material properties including durometer hardness, reinforcement layer configuration, and coupling geometry to ensure adequate torque transmission capability while maintaining the inherent corrosion resistance and flexibility advantages of elastomeric materials.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If elastomeric couplings are used, then system noise is reduced and feedback chatter is dampened, but the coupling must remain rigid in torsion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the elastomeric material properties including durometer hardness, reinforcement layer configuration, and coupling geometry to ensure adequate torque transmission capability while maintaining the inherent corrosion resistance and flexibility advantages of elastomeric materials.
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 reduces system noise, eliminates the need for heavy metal components, provides inherent torque limiting, and dampens feedback and chatter, while maintaining effective torque transmission to actuators across adjustable wing sections.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible elastomer couplings permit adjacent torque tubes to be arranged at some non-straight angle that enables transmission routing to wing slats or flaps
Implementation Method 2
This solution reduces system noise, eliminates the need for heavy metal components, provides inherent torque limiting, and dampens feedback and chatter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
An aircraft is provided. The aircraft includes fuselage (11), an aerodynamic element (12) extending from the fuselage and including a main section (15) and an adjustable section (16) which is adjustable relative to the main section, a power distribution unit (PDU) (25) configured to generate torque to drive an adjustment of the adjustable section, an actuator (30), torque tubes (40) and elastomeric couplings (50). The PDU is disposed proximate to a fuselage-aerodynamic interface. The actuator is disposed along the aerodynamic element and is receptive of the torque for driving the adjustment of the adjustable section. The torque tubes transmit the torque from the PDU to the actuator and are arranged between the PDU and the actuator such that adjacent torque tubes define an obtuse angle. The elastomeric couplings are disposed at respective ends of each of the torque tubes to enable torque transmission between at least the adjacent torque tubes defining the obtuse angle.