Ram Air Turbine Actuator Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ram air turbine deployment and stowing systems face challenges in securely locking the actuator in both deployed and stowed positions, leading to potential damage from excessive forces during the stowing process, which reduces the system's reliability and increases maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design incorporates a cylindrical piston rod with radially movable up-lock wedges, an axially movable lock bolt, and rollers guided by the lock bolt, along with a slider that positions the rollers to push the wedges radially outward, locking the system in place, thereby preventing axial movement and reducing damage from stowing forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the actuator in deployed and stowed positions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking mechanism components (lock bolt, rollers, up-lock wedges, slider) into an integrated assembly that works together as a unified system. The lock bolt and rollers are positioned to engage with the up-lock wedges, creating a combined locking action that secures both deployed and stowed positions without requiring separate locking systems for each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses movable components (rollers that can move radially, slider that moves axially, up-lock wedges that can shift position) to dynamically adapt to different actuator positions. The rollers are guided by the lock bolt and can transition between engaged and disengaged states with the up-lock wedges, providing automatic locking and unlocking functionality based on actuator movement.
2Reliability
If the actuator is designed to securely lock in stowed position, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the lock bolt that guides and positions the rollers, the rollers that provide the locking action, the up-lock wedges that engage with the rollers, and the slider that controls the locking sequence. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard machining processes, simplifying production while ensuring reliable assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the actuator's axial movement and the locking mechanism. It controls the timing and sequence of roller engagement with the up-lock wedges, ensuring that locking occurs at the appropriate moment during the stowing process without requiring complex control systems or precision timing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If rollers are positioned to push up-lock wedges radially outward for locking, then locking effectiveness is improved, but stress on components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from axial locking forces to radial locking forces. The rollers move radially outward to engage the up-lock wedges, converting the axial stowing force into radial locking forces. This dimensional change allows the locking action to occur perpendicular to the main force direction, reducing stress on the locking components while maintaining effective locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The up-lock wedges serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the radial locking force from the rollers and the axial position of the actuator. The wedges convert the radial roller force into axial locking resistance, distributing the stress across multiple components rather than concentrating it on a single locking element, thereby reducing peak stresses while maintaining locking effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A component for use in a ram air turbine actuator includes a lock bolt extending along a centerline with the lock bolt being axially movable between a stowed position and a deployed position and a plurality of rollers that are radially outward from the centerline and guided by the lock bolt. The component also includes a slider radially between at least a portion of the lock bolt and a piston rod with the slider being axially movable between a stop position and the deployed position and up-lock wedges supported by the piston rod. The actuator becomes locked in the stowed position when the lock bolt and slider move axially within the piston rod and a cylinder to position the rollers to push the up-lock wedges radially outward into an aperture and prevent the lock bolt, slider, and cylinder from axial movement.