Hydraulic Flap Actuator Control for Damping and Position Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft flaps are subjected to various loads and airflow, leading to potential vibration or flutter issues if not properly controlled, and existing systems lack efficient mechanisms to dampen these movements and lock the flaps in desired positions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a closed fluid path with a piston assembly, a solenoid valve, and pressure sensors to control fluid flow, providing resistance to dampen vibrations and locking the flap in place by managing fluid pressure between upper and lower limits, using an accumulator to maintain pressure and a trunion mount for structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydraulic actuator system is used to control flap movement, then the flap can be positioned and locked, but the system becomes complex and requires multiple components (actuator, servo valve, pressure sensors)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator, servo valve, pressure sensors, and accumulator into an integrated hydraulic system. The actuator housing contains the piston assembly, and the servo valve is integrated with the actuator body, allowing coordinated control of flap movement and positioning through a unified system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system performs multiple functions: the actuator provides both movement control and positioning/locking functions, the servo valve controls fluid flow in both directions, and the pressure sensors monitor system pressure for both control feedback and safety monitoring, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
2Measurement precision
If a servo valve is used to control fluid flow to the actuator chambers, then precise flap positioning is achieved, but the system requires additional control components and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The servo valve receives control signals from a flight management system and uses pressure feedback from sensors to regulate fluid flow to the actuator chambers. This closed-loop control enables precise flap positioning by continuously adjusting fluid flow based on actual system pressure and desired position feedback.
3Reliability
If pressure sensors are installed to monitor fluid pressure, then system safety and control are improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors are installed in the fluid flowline to provide real-time pressure feedback to the flight management system. This feedback enables the system to monitor hydraulic system health, detect anomalies, and adjust servo valve control to maintain safe operating pressure ranges throughout the hydraulic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure monitoring system enables the hydraulic system to self-diagnose and self-regulate. The flight management system uses pressure sensor data to automatically adjust servo valve control, maintaining optimal pressure levels without requiring external intervention or complex manual monitoring systems.
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 effectively dampens vibratory motion and locks the flap in place, enhancing operational stability and safety by maintaining fluid pressures within defined limits and providing a robust structural attachment.
Implementation Method 1
The valve may be a solenoid
Implementation Method 2
using an accumulator to maintain pressure
Implementation Method 3
providing resistance to dampen vibrations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to control movement of a component are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a housing defining a bore and a piston disposed inside the bore. The piston is to be coupled to a movable component disposed outside of the bore. The example apparatus further includes a fluid flowline in fluid communication with a first chamber of the bore and a second chamber of the bore. The first chamber is on a first side of the piston, and the second chamber on a second side of the piston. The example apparatus also includes a valve to control fluid flow through the fluid flowline. The valve is to be in a first state to enable the piston to dampen movement of the component, and the valve is to be in a second state to enable the piston to hold the component substantially stationary.