Phonic Wheel Torque Meter Layout for Compact Aircraft Gear Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical drive devices in power transmission systems, particularly in aircraft, face challenges in minimizing axial bulk while accurately measuring torque, which can lead to issues like increased size and potential lubrication problems due to the placement of mechanical connections.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical device with a tone wheel torque meter where the torque meter is integrated with an intermediate shaft, allowing for precise torque measurement with a minimal axial footprint, and the second mechanical connection is designed to transmit torque with a drive ring and teeth system that maintains coaxiality and synchronicity without relative movement, positioning the connection above the lubricating liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional torque meter with a long drive shaft is used to achieve accurate torque measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but the axial size of the mechanical drive device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference shaft is positioned inside the drive shaft, with the reference shaft indexes detected by the same sensor as the drive shaft indexes. This nested configuration allows both shafts to share the same axial space, enabling accurate torque measurement through angular offset detection without increasing the overall axial dimensions of the torque meter assembly.
2Device complexity
If the mechanical connection is positioned close to the end of the drive shaft to accommodate the torque meter, then device complexity is reduced, but the connection may be positioned below the lubricating liquid level causing harmful bubbling effects
Solution Approach 1:
The indexes are positioned at the proximal end of the drive shaft rather than at the distal end near the mechanical connection. This spatial repositioning in the axial dimension allows the mechanical connection to be located above the lubricating liquid level, eliminating the harmful bubbling effect while maintaining the torque measurement functionality through the reference shaft system.
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
This configuration enables efficient torque transmission with minimal axial bulk, allowing for precise torque measurement and preventing lubrication issues by keeping the mechanical connection above the lubricating liquid, thus enhancing the operational reliability of power transmission systems.
Implementation Method 1
a useful length of the drive shaft subjected to torsional deformation must be significant
Implementation Method 2
This torsion can then be characterized by the angular offset of the indexes of this drive shaft relative to the indexes of the reference shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mechanical device (1) comprising an input pinion (2), an intermediate shaft (4), and an output pinion (3) coaxial and free to rotate about an axis of rotation (AX), and a torque meter (7) with a phonic wheel provided with a reference shaft (8) connected at a distal end (82) to said intermediate shaft (4), measuring indices (48) arranged at a proximal end (41) of said intermediate shaft (4), and reference indices (88) arranged at a proximal end (81) of said reference shaft (8). A first mechanical linkage (5) connects said input pinion (2) and said intermediate shaft (4).A second mechanical linkage (6) connects a first distal end (42) of said intermediate shaft (4) and said output pinion (3) and includes series of first teeth (45) arranged on said distal end (42) and second teeth (35) arranged on said output pinion (3) as well as a drive ring (60) including a series of connecting teeth (65) cooperating with said first and second teeth (42,35).