Redundant Resolver With Dual Winding Sets for Aircraft Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position sensing technologies, such as resolvers, lack redundancy, which can lead to system failure in critical applications like aircraft, where the failure of one set of sense or excitation windings can result in loss of positional data, impacting safety and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A redundant resolver design that incorporates multiple sets of sense and excitation windings within a common housing, providing electrical and operational redundancy, where each set can independently generate positional data, ensuring continued functionality even if one set fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single set of sense and excitation windings is used in a resolver, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because failure of one set results in loss of positional data
Solution Approach 1:
The resolver is segmented into multiple independent winding sets (first set and second set), each capable of independently providing positional data. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even if one segment fails, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing redundant winding sets in advance. When a failure occurs in one set, the other set is already in place and can immediately take over, cushioning against the potential loss of positional data and ensuring continuous operation.
2Reliability
If multiple sets of sense and excitation windings are incorporated in a common housing, then the reliability is improved through redundancy, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple winding sets are merged into a single common housing structure, sharing mechanical components such as the stator, rotor, and mounting framework. This merging approach reduces the overall increase in device complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of having multiple independent winding sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The common housing and mechanical structure serve multiple functions: they support both winding sets, provide mechanical protection, and maintain the magnetic circuit geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If redundant windings are provided in a resolver, then the reliability is enhanced for critical applications, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into standardized steps for winding fabrication, allowing each winding set to be manufactured using the same procedures. This segmentation enables consistent quality control and simplifies the overall manufacturing process despite the presence of multiple winding sets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains consistent electrical parameters (turns, wire gauge, winding geometry) across all winding sets, allowing for standardized manufacturing processes. By keeping parameters uniform rather than varying them, the manufacturing precision requirements are simplified while still achieving the desired redundancy for safety.
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 redundant resolver ensures continuous positional data availability by allowing one set of windings to take over in case of failure, enhancing reliability and safety in critical applications like aircraft systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first sense winding set wrapped around at least some of the plurality of teeth, a second sense winding set wrapped around at least some of the plurality of teeth
Implementation Method 2
a stator including a plurality of teeth, an excitation winding wrapped around at least some of the plurality of teeth
Data Source
AI summary
A device for rotary or linear position sensing includes a stator with a plurality of teeth, an excitation winding wrapped around at least some of the plurality of teeth, and multiple sense windings for detecting changes in voltage output. The windings are in two sets in which each set can independently determine the change in voltage output. A control circuit generates a first output signal representing a relative position of the stator based on excitation of the first sense winding set by the excitation winding and a second output signal representing a relative position of the stator based on excitation of the second sense winding set by the excitation winding.