Offset-Port Actuator Layout for Lower-Weight Hydraulic Packaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft actuators with traditional hydraulic cylinders are heavy and bulky due to offset connection ports, which complicates integration into limited aircraft volume and increases mass.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design features remote power ports connected to the body via frames and conduits, allowing for reduced weight by creating spaces devoid of material while maintaining vibration and pressure resistance, utilizing additive manufacturing for a single-piece construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional offset connection ports with conduits are used, then the actuator can deliver hydraulic fluid to chambers, but the actuator becomes heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator body is segmented into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) along the central axis, with connection ports positioned at different axial locations. This segmentation allows optimized material distribution and reduces overall weight while maintaining structural integrity and hydraulic connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection ports are arranged in the axial dimension rather than only radially offset from the body. By extending conduits along the axial direction to connect different sections, the design reduces radial bulk and optimizes the actuator's overall shape factor, making it more compact without compromising connection reliability.
2Volume of moving object
If offset connection ports are positioned away from the cylinder body, then space constraints are met, but the actuator becomes bulky and integration is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator design allows for flexible positioning of connection ports at different axial locations along the central axis, enabling adaptation to various space constraints and integration requirements. This dynamic arrangement simplifies integration by allowing the actuator to be configured for different mounting scenarios without requiring complex external piping.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-section body design with axially distributed connection ports provides universal applicability for different aircraft landing gear configurations. The actuator can serve multiple integration scenarios by utilizing its axial extension capability, reducing the need for custom modifications and simplifying overall system integration.
3Weight of stationary object
If members with spaces between them are used to connect connection ports, then weight is reduced, but vibration and pressure resistance must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The members connecting the connection ports to the body are designed with non-uniform cross-sections, featuring thicker sections at critical locations (connection points and mid-sections) to provide localized strength and stiffness. This allows weight reduction in non-critical areas while maintaining vibration and pressure resistance where needed, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuator comprising a body (2) and at least a first offset connection port (4.1) which is connected to the body (2) by a first pipe (5.1) projecting from the body (2). The first connection port (4.1) is mechanically connected to the body by at least a first rib (6) and a second rib (7), the first rib and the second rib extending from the first connection port to, respectively, a first section of the body and a second section of the body that is axially remote from the first section. The invention also concerns a landing gear comprising such an actuator as a locking or unlocking actuator.