Phonic Wheel Axial Position Sensing for Pitch-Adjustable Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Providing accurate and reliable positional feedback of pitch-adjustable propeller blades in aircraft is challenging due to limited space on aircraft engines.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a phonic wheel with inclined and reference teeth, and sensors to generate positioning and reference signals, processed by a computer to determine the axial position, which includes a phonic wheel rotatable about and translatable along a rotation axis, with inclined and reference teeth, and sensors generating signals based on gaps to calculate the axial position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a feedback system for pitch-adjustable blades is implemented, then accurate angular position feedback is achieved, but the system complexity increases and space requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback system is segmented into two independent measurement channels: one for angular position (using perpendicular sensor and uniform teeth) and one for axial position (using inclined sensor and inclined teeth). This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional single-plane measurement to a two-dimensional measurement approach by introducing inclined teeth and an inclined sensor. This adds an axial dimension to the measurement capability, enabling simultaneous measurement of both angular and axial positions without increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If accurate axial position measurement is added to the feedback system, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges angular position measurement and axial position measurement into a single integrated phonic wheel structure. Both measurement functions share the same rotating component and sensor mounting structure, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The phonic wheel serves multiple functions: it provides both angular position information (through uniform teeth and perpendicular sensor) and axial position information (through inclined teeth and inclined sensor). This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing device complexity while improving measurement precision.
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
Enables accurate measurement of the axial position of the phonic wheel, improving the control of pitch-adjustable blades by providing precise feedback on the angular position.
Implementation Method 1
an inclined sensor adjacent the phonic wheel and configured to generate a positioning signal indicative of a gap between the top surface of the inclined tooth and the inclined sensor along a sensor axis of the inclined sensor
Implementation Method 2
a reference sensor adjacent the phonic wheel and configured to generate a reference signal indicative of a gap between the top surface of the reference tooth and the reference sensor along a sensor axis of the reference sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for measuring an axial position of a phonic wheel or other rotating component are provided. The system includes a phonic wheel rotatable about a rotation axis and translatable along the rotation axis, a first sensor, a second sensor and a computer. The phonic wheel includes an inclined tooth having an axially non-uniform radial height and a reference tooth having an axially uniform radial height. The first sensor generates a positioning signal indicative of a gap between the inclined tooth and the first sensor. The second sensor generates a reference signal indicative of a gap between the reference tooth and the reference sensor. The first and second sensors have different orientations. The computer generates an output indicative of the axial position of the phonic wheel based on the positioning signal and the reference signal.