Radial Fluid Device for Independent Blade Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rotorcraft blade control systems rely on redundant electrical or mechanical systems and secondary load paths, which are inefficient and power-intensive, particularly in implementing independent blade control without the need for condition monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A radial fluid device that hydraulically actuates rotor blades using a system of stacked radial piston sections and cams to generate sinusoidal waveforms for independent blade control, eliminating the need for redundant systems and optimizing power usage by conserving energy through sinusoidal motion programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant electrical or mechanical systems are used for independent blade control, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates redundant electrical or mechanical systems from the blade control architecture. By using a single hydraulic system with a radial piston device, the invention removes the need for duplicate control paths, condition monitoring systems, and secondary load paths that would otherwise be required for reliability, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining sufficient reliability through the inherent redundancy of the hydraulic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a hydraulic actuation system using a radial piston device that converts rotational motion into linear hydraulic actuation for blade control. This hydraulic approach replaces complex electrical or mechanical redundant systems with a more efficient fluid-powered system that achieves reliable independent blade control with lower power consumption through the use of hydraulic pressure and flow control.
2Reliability
If redundant systems are implemented for independent blade control, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes redundant electrical or mechanical control systems, condition monitoring systems, and secondary load paths from the design. By consolidating control functions into a single hydraulic system with a radial piston device, the invention achieves reliable independent blade control without the complexity of multiple redundant subsystems, electrical wiring, or additional monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic system with radial piston device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides independent blade control actuation, incorporates inherent reliability through hydraulic design principles, and eliminates the need for separate condition monitoring systems. This multi-functional approach reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability through the versatility of the hydraulic architecture.
3Speed
If non-sinusoidal motion control is used, then responsiveness is improved, but power consumption and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements sinusoidal motion programming for the radial piston device, creating periodic, smooth oscillatory motion for blade control. This sinusoidal actuation pattern reduces power consumption by avoiding abrupt starts and stops, minimizes vibration and noise through smooth continuous motion, while still achieving responsive blade control through the controlled frequency and amplitude of the sinusoidal waveform.
4Reliability
If mechanical control systems are used, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a hydraulic radial piston device to convert rotational motion into linear actuation for blade control. This hydraulic mechanical system provides reliable direct mechanical control of the blades while consuming less power than alternative electrical or purely mechanical redundant systems. The hydraulic fluid transmits force efficiently, providing reliable mechanical actuation with reduced power requirements through fluid pressure multiplication.
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 radial fluid device enables reliable independent blade control with reduced power consumption and eliminates the need for redundant systems, enhancing rotorcraft efficiency and reducing noise and vibration.
Implementation Method 1
A radial fluid device that hydraulically actuates rotor blades using a system of stacked radial piston sections and cams to generate sinusoidal waveforms
Implementation Method 2
A radial fluid device that hydraulically actuates rotor blades
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A radial fluid device (900) includes a cylinder block (904) having a plurality of radially extending cylinders (904a-904b), a plurality of pistons (911a-911d), and a cam (912) disposed about the plurality of radially extending cylinders (904a-904d). A first linear control (915) is coupled to the cam (912) and operable to reposition the cam (912) along a first axis. A second linear control (914) is coupled to the cam (912) and operable to reposition the cam (912) along a second axis. A third linear control (913) is coupled to the cam (912) and operable to resist movement of the cam (912) along a third axis.