Magnetic Hall Effect Sensor for Aircraft Flight Control Surface Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flight control systems rely on bulky position feedback sensors like LVDTs and RVDTs, which add weight and complexity to aircraft, requiring significant design accommodations for their installation and ancillary parts.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a magnetic field source and a sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, to determine the relative position of aircraft flight control surfaces, generating a voltage indicative of the magnetic field strength, allowing for precise control of the surfaces without the need for bulky sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional position feedback sensors (LVDTs, RVDTs) are used, then position measurement reliability is improved, but device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical position feedback sensors (LVDTs, RVDTs) with a magnetic field-based sensing system using Hall effect sensors. This substitution eliminates bulky mechanical components while maintaining position measurement capability through detection of magnetic field variations caused by relative motion between the control surface and its support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical displacement (in traditional sensors) to magnetic field strength variations (in the new system). By attaching a magnet to one component and using a Hall effect sensor on the other, the system measures position through changes in magnetic field parameters rather than mechanical dimension changes, achieving compactness while preserving measurement function.
2Measurement precision
If traditional position feedback sensors (LVDTs, RVDTs) are used, then position measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor assemblies with a simple magnetic field sensing system. The Hall effect sensor and magnet configuration provides position measurement through electromagnetic interaction, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages, electrical contacts, and ancillary components associated with traditional sensors, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex mechanical sensor assemblies and implements it through a minimalistic magnetic field-based system. By taking out only the necessary components (magnet and Hall effect sensor), the system achieves position measurement precision without the burden of complex mechanical structures and their associated ancillary parts.
3Weight of moving object
If compact sensors are used, then device weight is reduced, but position measurement capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electromagnetic field interaction instead of mechanical sensing, allowing for extremely compact sensor implementation. The Hall effect sensor detects magnetic field variations caused by relative motion, providing reliable position measurement capability in a compact form factor that dramatically reduces weight compared to traditional mechanical sensors while maintaining full measurement functionality.
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 weight and complexity by enabling accurate position determination and control of flight control surfaces using a compact and lightweight magnetic field-based system, improving aerodynamic control without the bulk of traditional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
disposing a magnetic field source on the other of the first surface and the second surface to provide a discrete position of the first surface; detecting a local magnetic field at the sensor indicative of the relative position of the magnetic field source to the sensor
Implementation Method 2
A method and apparatus using a magnetic field source and a sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, to determine the relative position of aircraft flight control surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for determining a discrete position of a first surface of an aircraft is disclosed. The first surface and a second surface movable relative to the first surface are provided. A sensor is disposed on one of the first surface and a second surface and a magnetic field source disposed on the other of the first surface and the second surface. The sensor detects a local magnetic field related to the magnetic field source and generates a voltage indicative of strength of the local magnetic field. The strength of the local magnetic field and therefore the generated voltage is related to a relative position between the sensor and the magnetic field source. The relative distance between the first surface and the second surface is determined from the generated voltage.