Multi-Slice Rotary Actuator Mitigates Wing Bending Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hinge-line rotary electromechanical actuators for aircraft flight-control applications are susceptible to jamming due to excessive load from wing bending, causing undesirable stress on the actuators.
Innovation Solution
A multi-slice electromechanical hinge-line rotary actuator design featuring radially extending ground and output arm slices with clearance gaps, allowing these slices to flex and distribute stress, reducing the actuator's susceptibility to jamming and stress from wing bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional framed motor with rotor and planetary gearbox is used, then the actuator can provide precise rotational control, but the housing becomes susceptible to jamming due to excessive load from wing bending
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing is divided into multiple concentric layers (first layer, second layer, third layer) that can independently flex radially. Each layer contains separate mechanical components (motor, planetary gear sets, output shafts) that are isolated from excessive stress through the layered structure, preventing jamming while maintaining operational reliability under wing bending loads.
2Manufacturing precision
If precision-machined housing is used to align motor and gear set, then rotational precision is improved, but the structure becomes rigid and more susceptible to jamming under load
Solution Approach 1:
The housing transitions from a rigid precision-machined structure to a dynamic multi-layer structure where each layer can flex radially independently. This allows the housing to maintain alignment precision through controlled flexibility rather than rigid constraints, adapting to load variations without jamming.
3Adaptability or versatility
If compliant coupling is used to connect motor output shaft to gear set, then some stress absorption is achieved, but jamming still occurs under excessive load
Solution Approach 1:
The stress absorption capability is segmented across multiple housing layers, each with its own compliant elements. The first layer absorbs stress through radial flexing, protecting the motor; the second and third layers provide additional stress absorption zones that protect the planetary gear sets and output shafts, creating a distributed compliance system that prevents jamming under excessive load.
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 multi-slice design effectively mitigates stress and prevents jamming by allowing the arm slices to flex with the wing, maintaining actuator functionality and reducing stress on both the actuator and the wing during flight.
Implementation Method 1
a motor stator configured to generate rotational motion about a rotational axis
Implementation Method 2
flexing the at least one of the ground arm slices and the output arm slices into at least one of the clearance gaps in response to flexing the aircraft wing
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-slice electromechanical hinge-line rotary actuator includes a motor stator configured to generate rotational motion about a rotational axis. The multi-slice electromechanical hinge-line rotary actuator further includes a plurality of layers rotatably coupled to the motor stator. Each layer includes an output arm slice configured to rotate about the rotational axis in response to the rotational motion.