Ram Air Turbine Flyweight Simplified Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art flyweights for ram air turbines are complex and costly, with a complex construction involving stainless steel and tungsten components that require riveting, leading to high assembly costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A simplified flyweight design featuring a single piece of stainless steel with a circumferentially enlarged portion and a thin inner leg, where the angle between flat sides ranges from 45 to 150 degrees, and a pivot point defined by a bore, allowing for a more straightforward assembly and reduced material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If prior art flyweights use a complex construction with stainless steel and tungsten components riveted together, then the flyweight achieves required strength and durability, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple materials (stainless steel and tungsten) into a single integrated flyweight component using diffusion bonding, eliminating the need for separate riveted parts while maintaining the strength benefits of both materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses diffusion bonding to create a composite structure where stainless steel and tungsten are bonded at the molecular level, achieving superior strength and durability without the complexity of mechanical fastening
2Strength
If prior art flyweights use multiple riveted components, then the required strength is achieved, but the assembly cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple assembly steps into a single diffusion bonding process, where the stainless steel and tungsten components are bonded in one operation rather than requiring multiple riveting steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical riveting system with a thermal diffusion bonding process, substituting mechanical fastening with a metallurgical bonding mechanism that creates a stronger, integrated structure
3Reliability
If prior art flyweights use stainless steel and tungsten components, then the required durability is achieved, but the material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different materials in specific locations within the flyweight - using tungsten only where high density and inertia are needed, and stainless steel for structural components, optimizing material usage and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The diffusion-bonded composite structure allows efficient use of expensive tungsten material by bonding it only where needed with stainless steel, reducing overall material cost while maintaining durability
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 new flyweight design simplifies the assembly process and reduces material costs while maintaining functionality, offering a more efficient and cost-effective solution for ram air turbines.
Implementation Method 1
The flyweights move under centrifugal force to shift the governor components and change the angle of incidence of the airstream on the blades
Data Source
AI summary
A flyweight for use in a ram air turbine has a body with a circumferentially enlarged portion extending between flat sides spaced by an angle of between 45 degrees and 150 degrees. A pivot point is defined by a bore at a circumferentially intermediate point in the body, and in a relatively thin inner portion. The relatively thin inner portion extends beyond the pivot point to an end that will be radially inward when the flyweight is mounted in a ram air turbine. A governor, a ram air turbine and a method are also described.