Radar Structure With Overrunning Coupling And Torque Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radar structures with geared motors face issues in maintaining constant rotation speed under wind forces, leading to potential motor failure and redundancy loss due to incorrect uncoupling in case of blocking, especially during progressive blocking scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The radar structure incorporates connection means with overrunning coupling and clutch-disengaging torque limiter mechanisms, featuring freewheel and clutch sleeves with breakable members, allowing for differential torque handling to correctly uncouple a blocked geared motor while maintaining operation of the other motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coupling means are used to connect geared motors to the aerial radar structure, then the structure can rotate, but in case of motor blocking the entire kinematic chain is blocked and redundancy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into two independent protective systems: overrunning coupling means (freewheels) and clutch-disengaging torque limiter means. Each system operates independently to protect against different failure modes, allowing the blocked motor to be isolated while the other motor continues to drive the aerial structure, thus maintaining redundancy without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling means incorporate protective mechanisms that activate beforehand or during motor blocking to prevent damage propagation. The torque limiter and freewheel are pre-configured to engage when abnormal conditions occur, cushioning the impact and preventing the blocked motor from stopping the entire system, thereby ensuring continuity of operation
2Reliability
If freewheel coupling means are used to uncouple blocked geared motors, then motor redundancy can be maintained, but both motors may be uncoupled when wind generates positive or negative torques on the toothed wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two complementary protective mechanisms: overrunning coupling means (freewheels) that allow reverse rotation, and clutch-disengaging torque limiter means that disconnect when torque exceeds a threshold. This combination allows the system to distinguish between normal wind-induced torque reversals and actual motor blocking, ensuring accurate uncoupling of only the blocked motor while maintaining redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The torque limiter means are calibrated with specific torque thresholds that differentiate between wind-induced torques and blocking torques. By setting the disengagement torque parameter appropriately, the system responds only to genuine blocking conditions rather than normal operational torque variations, ensuring accurate motor identification and selective uncoupling
3Strength
If ball or friction torque limiters are used to protect against motor blocking, then damage to the drive mechanism can be prevented, but these solutions do not correctly differentiate between blocked and operating motors in progressive blocking scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch-disengaging torque limiter acts as an intermediary between the motor and the drive mechanism, providing a controlled disengagement point. When torque exceeds the calibrated threshold, the limiter disengages the blocked motor from the drive chain, protecting the mechanism while allowing the operational motor to continue driving the aerial structure without interference from the blocked motor
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
Ensures continuous operation by correctly uncoupling a blocked geared motor, preventing damage to the drive mechanism and ensuring redundancy, even under varying wind-induced torques.
Implementation Method 1
the connection means comprise, for each geared motor, means overrunning coupling operating in parallel with clutch-disengaging torque limiter means
Implementation Method 2
the clutch torque limiter means make it possible to pass a second torque (C2) corresponding to the maximum functional torque
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
This radar structure (1) of the type comprising at least two geared motors (2, 3) associated through linking means (8, 9) to an aerial radar structure, is characterized in that the linking means (8, 9) comprise for each geared motor (2, 3), freewheel coupling means operating in parallel with disengagement torque limiter means.