Ram Air Turbine Actuator Lock Bolt Reducing Release Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ram air turbine deployment systems face challenges in deploying the actuator with limited electrical power and high loads during emergency situations, as typical up-lock and down-lock mechanisms require significant force due to high door loads generated by aircraft flight conditions.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design incorporates a lock bolt with radially supported rollers and chamfers, which reduce the release force required by distributing loads evenly and allowing axial movement, enabling efficient deployment of the ram air turbine even under high load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms with locking wedges are used, then the actuator can be restrained in stowed and deployed positions, but the release force required becomes excessively high under emergency flight conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A lock bolt is introduced as an intermediary component between the locking wedges and the actuator cylinder. The lock bolt engages with grooves in the locking wedges and translates their radial locking force into axial restraint force, enabling effective locking with reduced release force requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional direct wedge-locking mechanism is replaced with a bolted locking system. The lock bolt with threaded engagement provides mechanical advantage through screw mechanics, allowing the locking wedges to maintain secure locking with significantly lower actuation force compared to direct wedge movement
2Reliability
If four locking wedges are used to ensure reliable locking, then the actuator can be securely restrained, but the complexity of the locking mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking functions are merged into a single integrated lock bolt component. The lock bolt simultaneously engages with multiple locking wedges, providing unified control of the locking and release operations while maintaining the reliability of multiple wedge contacts
Solution Approach 2:
The lock bolt serves multiple functions: it engages with the locking wedges to translate radial forces to axial restraint, provides a centralized release mechanism, and maintains the structural integrity of the locking system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each locking wedge
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 design enhances the capacity of the actuator to deploy the ram air turbine with reduced release force, ensuring reliable power generation in emergency situations by effectively managing high loads and limited electrical power availability.
Implementation Method 1
Multiple rollers are supported in the lock bolt and are configured to radially support the up-lock wedges in a retracted position
Implementation Method 2
rollers include chamfers engaging one another
Implementation Method 3
The rollers include chamfers engaging one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~5
AI summary
An actuator (24) for a ram air turbine system (10) includes a lock bolt (52) having a multiple circumferentially arranged lateral supports (78). A piston rod (42) supports multiple up-lock wedges (48). Multiple rollers (76) are supported by the lateral supports with chamfers (96) on the rollers engaging one another and are configured to radially support the up-lock wedges in a retracted position.