RAT Re-Stow Pump Drive With Rotary-to-Linear Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual hydraulic pumps for re-stowing ram air turbines (RATs) are laborious, time-consuming, and difficult to operate, especially in harsh weather conditions, requiring extensive manual stroking to stow the RAT.
Innovation Solution
A drive system for a RAT re-stow pump that utilizes a rotatable drive shaft connected to a power tool, converting rotary motion into linear reciprocal motion of the pump piston via a link member, eliminating the need for manual lever operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual hydraulic pump is used to stow the RAT, then the pump can be operated without external power sources, but it requires extensive manual stroking (over 100 strokes) which is physically difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pump operation with an electric motor-driven pump system. The electric motor substitutes for the manual lever operation, automatically generating the hydraulic pressure needed to retract the RAT without requiring repeated manual strokes. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the physically demanding manual stroking while maintaining the stowage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electric motor as an intermediary device between the power source and the hydraulic pump. This intermediary converts electrical energy into mechanical rotation, which then drives the pump to generate hydraulic pressure. This intermediary mechanism bridges the gap between available power sources and the pump's hydraulic requirements, eliminating the need for direct manual operation.
2Volume of moving object
If a manual hydraulic pump with small displacement is used, then the pump structure can be compact, but it requires repeated lever strokes (over 100 strokes) to generate sufficient hydraulic pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical actuation system with an electric motor-driven system. The electric motor provides continuous rotational power that drives the pump at higher speeds, generating the required hydraulic pressure much faster than manual operation. This substitution maintains compact pump dimensions while dramatically increasing the stowage speed by eliminating the need for repeated slow manual strokes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the periodic rotational motion of the electric motor to drive the pump continuously. Unlike manual operation where the lever must be repeatedly stroked, the electric motor provides continuous periodic rotation that maintains steady hydraulic flow and pressure generation, significantly reducing the time required to complete the stowage operation.
3Device complexity
If extensive manual stroking is required to operate the pump, then the pump can be simple in design, but it becomes physically difficult to operate in harsh weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation system with an electric motor-driven system. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to physically stroke the lever hundreds of times, regardless of weather conditions. The electric motor automatically performs the repetitive mechanical work, making the system easy to operate even in harsh weather while maintaining relatively simple pump design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the pump system to serve itself by using the electric motor to automatically generate the required hydraulic pressure without human intervention. The motor-driven system self-performs the repetitive stroking action that would otherwise require manual effort, allowing the pump to operate autonomously and easily regardless of environmental conditions.
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 drive system significantly reduces the physical effort and time required to re-stow the RAT, enabling rapid stowage in seconds compared to minutes, using a power tool like a drill.
Implementation Method 1
rotation of the drive member is translated via the link member rotating with and pivoting relative to the drive member to linear movement of the pump piston
Data Source
AI summary
A drive system for operating a ram air turbine (RAT) re-stow pump assembly includes a pump piston and a cylinder in which the pump piston moves axially in a reciprocating linear motion when driven by the drive system. The drive system includes a rotary drive shaft and a linear link member having a first end connected to the rotary drive shaft and a second end arranged to be connected, in use, to the pump piston of the RAT re-stow pump. Rotation of the drive shaft is translated to reciprocal linear motion of the piston when connected to the link member, via the link member. The drive shaft is provided with an attachment fitting configured to attach to a rotary power tool, in use, to drive rotation of the drive shaft.