Nested Protective Arm for Multi-Dimensional Conduit Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extendable arms in gas turbine engines and aerospace applications fail to adequately protect fluid conduits or electrical conductors from harsh environmental conditions and do not allow for multi-dimensional movement, making it difficult to maintain connections between moveable and fixed structures.
Innovation Solution
An extendable arm assembly with a housing, intermediate, and distal arms, featuring a guide system with roller catches and ball bearings for smooth movement, allowing the flexible conduit or conductor to extend through nested arms, providing protection and multi-dimensional extension capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a telescoping arm is used to supply a moveable structure, then the conduit or conductor can maintain connection during movement, but the conduit or conductor is damaged by harsh environmental or atmospheric conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested telescoping arm structure where multiple arm segments (first arm, second arm, third arm) are housed within each other. The conduit is nested within the telescoping arm assembly, which itself is nested within a protective housing. This multi-level nesting protects the conduit from environmental damage while maintaining connection reliability during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate protective structures between the conduit and the harsh environment. The telescoping arm acts as an intermediary that shields the conduit, while the housing with seals and the protective covering further mediate between the conduit and environmental factors such as water, debris, and atmospheric conditions.
2Ease of operation
If prior art arms are used to support and engage the conduit, then the conduit can be connected and disconnected, but the conduit is not adequately protected from damaging environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is nested within the telescoping arm assembly, which is nested within a protective housing. This nested configuration allows the conduit to be supported and engaged during operation while being continuously protected from environmental damage throughout the engagement and disengagement cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping arm and housing serve as intermediary protective structures that allow engagement and disengagement operations while shielding the conduit from environmental factors. The seals and protective coverings act as additional intermediaries that maintain protection during operational movements.
3Reliability
If prior art arms are used for connection, then the conduit can be supported during operation, but the arm does not allow for multi-dimensional movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic telescoping arm structure with multiple movable segments that can extend and retract in multiple dimensions. The first, second, and third arms can move relative to each other, allowing the assembly to adapt to complex geometries and multi-dimensional movement requirements while continuously supporting and protecting the conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a simple linear arm to a multi-dimensional telescoping structure. The nested arms can extend not only linearly but also in multiple directions, enabling the conduit to be supported during complex multi-dimensional movements such as those required in STOVL aircraft applications where the engine rotates by up to ninety-two degrees.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a telescoping arm is used without adequate protection, then the structure can move freely, but the conduit or conductor may be damaged by harsh environmental or atmospheric conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple intermediary protective structures between the conduit and the harsh environment. The telescoping arm assembly, housing, seals, and protective covering all serve as intermediaries that allow the structure to move freely while shielding the conduit from environmental damage throughout the movement range.
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 extendable arm assembly effectively protects and supports fluid or electrical connections from harsh conditions while enabling multi-dimensional movement, ensuring reliable supply to moveable structures, even in complex geometries, by using a nested structure with curved guides and actuators for extension and retraction.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible conduit may be fully contained within and extend through the housing and intermediate arm to communicate a flow
Implementation Method 2
each guide may be a bearing recess containing at least one ball bearing. The ball bearings may provide smooth movement of the intermediate arm and distal arms
Implementation Method 3
each guide may have a roller catch positioned at each end of the guide and a roller may be disposed in each guide
Data Source
AI summary
An extendable protective arm is disclosed. The arm may protect an air, fuel, oil, or electrical conduit from harsh environments or the atmosphere during use. The arm may also connect the conduit between a moveable structure adapted to reciprocate relative to a fixed structure. The arm may extend in any number of dimensions.