Redundant Load Transmission Coupling for Actuator Drive Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromechanical actuators in critical applications like aircraft landing gear systems often fail due to mechanical failures, leading to safety concerns and potential equipment damage, as they typically rely on a single drive system that can seize and prevent proper actuation.
Innovation Solution
A redundant load transmission system for actuators, which includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a coupling assembly that can switch from a primary drive to a secondary drive configuration upon failure, ensuring continued operation by disconnecting from the primary drive and engaging the secondary drive, along with an emergency controller for health monitoring and switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single drive system is used in actuators, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because the actuator cannot function properly during mechanical failure
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into two independent subsystems: a primary drive system and a secondary drive system. Each system has its own motor, transmission components, and coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows the actuator to operate with one drive system while having a backup ready, thereby improving reliability without requiring both systems to operate simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary drive system is pre-configured and positioned to take over immediately upon failure of the primary drive. The coupling assembly is pre-arranged to facilitate quick disconnection from the primary drive and engagement with the secondary drive, eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making or manual intervention during failure scenarios.
2Reliability
If a redundant drive system with coupling assembly is implemented, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and switching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly serves as a merging point where both the primary drive and secondary drive can connect to the transmission system. This single component handles both connection and disconnection functions, consolidating what could have been multiple separate mechanisms into one integrated assembly, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly is designed with multi-functionality: it can connect to the primary drive, disconnect from the primary drive, connect to the secondary drive, and maintain continuous transmission capability. This universal component performs multiple critical functions that would otherwise require separate dedicated mechanisms, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A redundant load transmission includes an input shaft configured to receive a rotational torque from a primary drive, an output shaft configured to transmit the rotational torque to an actuator, and a coupling assembly configured to connect the input shaft to the output shaft to transmit the rotational torque. The input shaft is configured to receive the rotational torque from the primary drive and transmit the rotational torque through the coupling assembly when the coupling assembly is in a primary drive configuration. The coupling assembly is configured to be disconnected from the input shaft and transmit a rotational torque to the output shaft from a secondary drive when the coupling assembly is in a secondary drive configuration.