Ram Air Turbine Cross Rod with Flanged Midsection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cross rods in ram air turbine actuators face challenges in withstanding loading and backloading while being easy to install and maintain, which affects the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the toggle mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A cross rod design with a first section, a second section, and a midsection featuring a flange with a through hole and a cap screw for secure attachment to a clevis, along with a larger midsection diameter and clearance notch for enhanced strength and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cross rod uses a uniform diameter design, then the manufacturing is simple, but the rod cannot withstand the bending forces and may break
Solution Approach 1:
The cross rod features a non-uniform diameter design where the midsection has a larger diameter than the first and second sections. This local quality variation concentrates material where bending moments are highest (at the midsection), providing enhanced strength precisely where needed while maintaining simpler geometry elsewhere. The different diameter sections optimize the stress distribution along the rod length.
2Reliability
If the cross rod includes a flange with through hole and cap screw, then the attachment to clevis is secure, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is integrated directly into the midsection of the cross rod as a unified structure rather than being a separate component. This merging of the flange with the rod body reduces the total number of discrete parts while maintaining the secure attachment function through the through hole and cap screw assembly.
3Strength
If the cross rod has a larger midsection diameter, then the bending strength is improved, but the rod volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The larger diameter is localized only to the midsection of the cross rod where bending stresses are maximum, rather than increasing the diameter of the entire rod. The first and second sections maintain smaller diameters, optimizing the volume-to-strength ratio by concentrating material only where structurally necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
A cross rod for use in a toggle mechanism including a first section, a second section and a midsection between the first section and the second section. The midsection includes a flange having a through hole. The first section has a first diameter, the second section has a second diameter, and the midsection has a third diameter. The third diameter being larger than at least one of the first diameter and the second diameter.