Aircraft Hatch Emergency Actuator Delay Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft hatch emergency opening actuators using pressurized gas reservoirs waste energy due to inefficient delay mechanisms, such as singular head loss or increased dead volume, which do not utilize all available energy for rapid door opening.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a mobile element in the fluid circuit that delays the injection of pressurized gas into the cylinder, allowing for adjustable delay times and pressures, eliminating the need for dedicated singular head losses and optimizing energy use by ensuring all available energy is utilized during emergency opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a chicane type singular head loss device is introduced at the reservoir outlet to delay door opening, then the door opening delay time is increased, but the energy utilization efficiency deteriorates due to pressure difference requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile element (plug) is introduced as an intermediary component in the fluid circuit. This plug delays the opening of the fluid circuit by moving from an initial position to a final position, creating a time delay without requiring a singular head loss device. The plug acts as a mediator that separates the delay function from the energy transmission path, allowing energy to be preserved while still achieving the desired delay effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid circuit is segmented into two distinct phases: a delay phase where the mobile element blocks or restricts fluid flow, and an activation phase where the circuit is fully opened. This segmentation allows the system to achieve delay without continuous energy loss, as the fluid pressure is maintained during the delay phase and then fully utilized when the plug moves to the final position.
2Loss of time
If the dead volume of the cylinder is increased to defer commencement of movement, then the door opening delay time is increased, but the cylinder becomes overspecified and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile element serves as an intermediary that provides the delay function without requiring increased cylinder volume. By placing the plug in the fluid circuit, the system achieves time delay through the movement of the plug rather than through the compression of additional gas volume in an oversized cylinder, thereby avoiding energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of delay mechanism from volume-based (oversized cylinder) to position-based (mobile element location). The delay time is controlled by the distance the plug must travel and its speed, rather than by the volume of gas that must be compressed, allowing for more efficient energy utilization.
3Loss of energy
If a mobile element is introduced to delay circuit opening, then energy utilization is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile element is designed to perform multiple functions: it delays circuit opening, controls the timing of pressure transmission, and can be actuated by the same pyrotechnic or percussive mechanisms already present in the emergency opening system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate delay mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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
The solution enables efficient use of energy stored in the pressurized gas reservoir, reducing weight, cost, and improving reliability by allowing precise adjustment of delay characteristics, ensuring maximum pressure is applied when needed for emergency hatch opening.
Implementation Method 1
a reservoir of pressurized gas, said gas reservoir including a membrane adapted to be perforated to place said injection means in the active position and thus to actuate said cylinder for emergency opening of the hatch by release of the gas from said reservoir
Implementation Method 2
means for delaying the injection of said fluid means into said cylinder, which delay means include a mobile element in said first fluid circuit, disposed between said first point and said cylinder, delaying opening of said first circuit when said injection means are in the active position
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft hatch emergency opening actuator, includes, a cylinder connected to the hatch at one end to a reference frame at the other end to which the hatch is connected, fluid means feeding the cylinder for emergency opening of the hatch, means for injection of the fluid means at a point of a fluid circuit feeding the cylinder for emergency opening of the hatch, said injection means configured to adopt:a rest position, in which the fluid means are isolated from the cylinder, andan active position, in which the fluid means are injected at the point of the fluid circuit, means for delaying the injection of the fluid means into the cylinder including a mobile element in the fluid circuit, delaying opening of the circuit when the injection means are in the active position, the injection delay being determined by a time of movement of the mobile element.