Passive Lockable Strut for Thermal Load Relief and Structural Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing struts in aircraft and spacecraft face issues with undesirable tensile/compressive forces due to expansion and contraction of structures, leading to performance problems during takeoff and landing, and require complex control systems to manage preload and compliance, which increases weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A passive lockable strut with a fluid chamber between its ends, activated by temperature changes or dynamic loads, which automatically switches between locked and unlocked conditions to manage length and reduce preload, using temperature-activated or non-Newtonian fluids to maintain structural support without active control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a strut is designed to be rigid and fixed in length, then it provides stable structural support, but it experiences excessive tensile and compressive forces during thermal expansion and contraction of attached structures
Solution Approach 1:
The strut transitions from a static fixed length design to a dynamic variable length design, allowing it to adapt its length in response to thermal expansion and contraction forces, thereby reducing excessive stresses while maintaining structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The strut's length parameter is made variable rather than fixed, enabling it to change length in response to thermal conditions and operational states, resolving the contradiction between stability and force reduction
2Reliability
If an active control system is added to manage strut preload and compliance, then strut performance is improved, but system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The strut incorporates a self-regulating mechanism using temperature-activated or non-Newtonian fluid that automatically adjusts preload and compliance based on operational conditions, eliminating the need for external active control systems while maintaining improved performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex active mechanical control systems with a passive fluid-based mechanism that uses material property changes (temperature-activated fluid or non-Newtonian fluid) to achieve the same control functions, reducing system complexity and weight
3Force
If the strut allows variable length to accommodate thermal expansion, then excessive forces are reduced, but structural support stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The strut uses parameter changes in the fluid (viscosity, phase state) in response to operational conditions to control the locking mechanism, enabling variable length accommodation while maintaining stability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The strut implements a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states based on operational conditions, providing variable length capability while maintaining structural stability during critical phases like takeoff and landing
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 passive lockable strut effectively reduces wear and extends the lifespan of struts by minimizing excessive movement during takeoff and landing, simplifies the support system, and reduces weight and complexity by eliminating the need for active control mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid is a temperature-activated fluid and the change in the operating condition reduces a temperature of the fluid, wherein reducing the temperature of the fluid places the passive lockable strut into the locked condition
Implementation Method 2
using temperature-activated or non-Newtonian fluids to maintain structural support without active control signals
Data Source
AI summary
A passive lockable strut is presented. The passive lockable strut comprises a first end; a second end; a fluid chamber between and connected to the first end and the second end; and a fluid within the fluid chamber, wherein the fluid is configured to activate the passive lockable strut to place the passive lockable strut in a locked condition in response to a change in an operating condition applied to the passive lockable strut.