Lead Screw Canard Actuation for Compact High-Bandwidth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linkage mechanisms for aircraft canards, particularly in smaller aerial vehicles like UAVs and AUVs, are large, complex, and expensive, requiring high torque at low rotational speeds, and are not optimized for compactness and rapid control response.
Innovation Solution
A lead screw control actuation system with a motor, lead screw, nut, and lever arm design that provides high control bandwidth and reduced size, using a sliding interface to transmit motion efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a traditional linkage mechanism is used to couple the motor to the canards, then the mechanism can provide the required torque, but the mechanism becomes large, complex, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional complex mechanical linkage system with a lead screw mechanism that converts rotational motion directly into linear motion, eliminating the need for multiple linkage components. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining the torque multiplication function through the mechanical advantage of the lead screw threads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using a lead screw with specific thread pitch and lead to achieve torque multiplication. By selecting appropriate lead screw parameters (lead, pitch, thread profile), the system can provide the required torque output from a high-speed, low-torque motor, eliminating the need for complex gear trains or linkage mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional linkage mechanism is used, then the mechanism can transmit motor motion to canards, but the mechanism size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the bulky traditional linkage mechanism with a compact lead screw assembly. The lead screw directly converts rotational motion to linear motion in a single compact component, eliminating the space required for multiple linkage bars, pivots, and connection points while maintaining full motion transmission capability.
3Productivity
If a traditional linkage mechanism is used, then the mechanism can control canards, but the control bandwidth is limited due to high reflected inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-inertia linkage mechanism with a lead screw system that has significantly lower reflected inertia to the motor. The direct conversion of rotational to linear motion through the lead screw eliminates the rotational inertia of multiple linkage components, enabling faster acceleration and higher control bandwidth for canard actuation.
4Force
If a linkage mechanism optimized for high torque at low rotational speeds is used, then the required torque can be provided, but the mechanism is not optimized for rapid control response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach by using a lead screw with optimized thread parameters that provide both torque multiplication and high-speed response. The lead screw's mechanical advantage allows a high-speed motor to generate the required torque while maintaining rapid control response, as the linear motion output directly follows the rotational input without the inertial delays of traditional linkages.
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 system offers a smaller, less expensive, and more efficient linkage mechanism with higher control bandwidth, consuming no power to maintain canard positions, suitable for smaller aerial vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a lead screw attached to the motor, the motor configured to rotate the lead screw, the lead screw configured to increase torque provided by the motor
Implementation Method 2
the lead screw configured to increase torque provided by the motor
Implementation Method 3
a nut comprising a threaded opening in a first face of the nut through which the lead screw is coupled such that the rotation of the lead screw causes the nut to move in a forward or reverse direction along a longitudinal axis of the lead screw
Implementation Method 4
The system further includes a lever arm comprising a pin at a first end of the lever arm. The pin is configured to slide in the slot of the nut to cause the lever arm to rotate in response to the motion of the nut
Implementation Method 5
a lever arm comprising a pin at a first end of the lever arm, the pin configured to slide in the slot of the nut to cause the lever arm to rotate in response to the motion of the nut, wherein a second end of the lever arm is coupled to a canard such that the rotation of the lever arm causes the canard to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
A lead screw control actuation system. A system according to an embodiment includes a motor configured to rotate a lead screw that is configured to increase torque provided by the motor. The lead screw is coupled to a nut through a threaded opening such that rotation of the lead screw causes the nut to move along a longitudinal axis of the lead screw. The nut includes a slot oriented in a direction perpendicular to the direction of motion of the nut. The system further includes a lever arm including a pin at a first end of the lever arm, the pin configured to slide in the slot of the nut to cause the lever arm to rotate in response to the motion of the nut. A second end of the lever arm is coupled to a canard such that rotation of the lever arm causes the canard to rotate.