Offset Rotary Geared Actuator Layout for Thin Wing Leading Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary geared actuators (RGAs) are too large to be fitted into the thin wing sections of aircraft, particularly at the leading edge, due to their size requirements for torque transmission, which restricts their application in thin wing designs.
Innovation Solution
A compact rotary geared actuator design with a laterally offset drive transmission shaft and an offset gearbox arrangement, allowing the gears to be positioned around a sun gear connecting shaft, reducing the overall diameter while maintaining functionality, enabling fitting into thinner wing sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional rotary geared actuators are used, then torque transmission capability is sufficient, but the actuator diameter is too large to fit into thin wing sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the drive transmission shaft from a central location to a laterally offset position, changing the spatial arrangement from a conventional concentric configuration to an asymmetric layout. This dimensional repositioning allows the gears to be arranged around a sun gear connecting shaft while the drive shaft remains offset, reducing the overall actuator diameter to fit within thin wing sections while preserving torque transmission through the offset gearbox arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the drive transmission shaft relative to the gear train, creating a non-concentric configuration where the drive shaft is laterally offset from the sun gear connecting shaft. This asymmetric layout optimizes space utilization, reduces the external diameter, and enables the actuator to fit into thin wing sections while maintaining adequate torque transmission capability through the offset gearbox mechanism
2Volume of moving object
If the actuator diameter is reduced to fit thin wing sections, then fitability is improved, but torque transmission capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an offset gearbox arrangement as an intermediary mechanism between the drive transmission shaft and the sun gear connecting shaft. This offset gearbox serves as a mediator that efficiently transmits torque from the laterally offset drive shaft to the gear train, ensuring reliable torque transmission despite the reduced actuator diameter and non-concentric configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary positioning of the drive transmission shaft in a laterally offset configuration before final assembly, allowing the gears to be pre-positioned around the sun gear connecting shaft. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the torque transmission path is optimized and that the compact design maintains sufficient torque capability for reliable operation within thin wing sections
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary geared actuator RGA includes an actuator body that has a gear or gears and means configured to rotate said gear or gears about a first central longitudinal axis X′. The RGA also includes a drive transmission shaft extending along a second central longitudinal axis X″, means for rotating said drive transmission shaft about said central longitudinal axis X″, and means for translating said rotation of said drive transmission shaft to said gears so as to cause rotation of said gears about said first central longitudinal axis X′. The second central longitudinal axis X″ of said drive transmission shaft is laterally offset from said first central longitudinal axis X′.