Modular Tilt Motor with Clutch Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor arrangements for controlling pilot valves are inflexible in terms of motor number and lack individual position measurement capabilities, making it difficult to vary redundancy and monitor motor movement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A modular motor arrangement with a common rotary shaft and mechanical clutches, allowing for arbitrary numbers of motors with redundancy, and integrated position sensors for precise control and monitoring, enabling cost-effective and flexible motor configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed number of motors is provided on one axis and coupled to one another, then the motor arrangement has a determined structural design optimized for that specific redundancy, but it becomes difficult to vary the redundancy concept with regard to the number of motors
Solution Approach 1:
The motor arrangement is segmented into modular motor elements that can be independently added or removed from the common rotary shaft. Each motor element consists of a motor and an associated clutch that can be independently coupled or decoupled, allowing the system to be configured with any number of motors from three upwards without requiring structural redesign of the entire arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The common rotary shaft and clutch mechanism serve multiple functions: they provide a universal mounting interface for any number of motors, enable individual position measurement for all motors, and allow selective coupling/decoupling of any motor element. This universal design allows the same basic structure to accommodate different redundancy configurations (3-fold, 4-fold, 6-fold or arbitrary numbers) without structural changes.
2Measurement precision
If traditional motor arrangements are used, then the structure is determined by the selected redundancy concept, but individual position measurement of motor elements is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
Each motor element is equipped with an individual position sensor that provides feedback on the angular position of its rotor relative to the common rotary shaft. This enables electronic monitoring of the free movement and controlled movement of individual motor-stator pairs, allowing the control system to detect jamming conditions and respond appropriately by decoupling the affected motor element.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism serves as an intermediary between the motor rotor and the common rotary shaft. It provides a mechanical coupling that can be selectively engaged or disengaged based on operational conditions. The clutch includes a clutch drum coupled to the rotor and a clutch hub coupled to the rotary shaft, with clutch arms that can connect or disconnect these components, enabling isolated monitoring and fault isolation.
3Reliability
If motors are rigidly connected to the rotary shaft, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot handle jamming or overload conditions of individual motors
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between each motor rotor and the common rotary shaft is made dynamic rather than rigid. The clutch mechanism allows the rotor to be coupled to the shaft during normal operation for precise control, but can be quickly decoupled when jamming or overload is detected. This dynamic coupling enables the system to adapt to fault conditions while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized clutch components.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism is designed with pre-loaded spring elements that provide overload protection before damage occurs. The spring elements allow controlled slippage under excessive load conditions, protecting the motor and shaft from damage. This beforehand cushioning ensures that individual motor failures do not propagate to the entire system, maintaining reliability.
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 provides a flexible and cost-effective motor arrangement that can be scaled with different numbers of motors, allows for individual motor position measurement, and ensures continuous operation even in case of faults by decoupling jammed motors, reducing structural changes and maintaining low inertia and torque requirements.
Implementation Method 1
at least one clip spring system, with the clip spring, outer clutch part and inner clutch part coupling to one another in normal operation of the corresponding motor and decoupling from one another in faulty operation
Implementation Method 2
the position sensors being differential transformers
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a motor arrangement for controlling pilot valves, comprising at least three motors, each with at least one stator and at least one rotor, wherein the motors are provided on a common rotating shaft, wherein each motor is coupled to the rotating shaft via at least one mechanical coupling.