Releasable Drive Arrangement with Interrupt Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing releasable drive arrangements for high-speed applications, such as aerospace generators, face challenges in reliably disconnecting the drive at high speeds due to mechanical faults, and are often difficult or costly to reset and test during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A releasable drive arrangement featuring an axially moveable interrupt shaft driven at a slower speed than the drive shaft, with a clutch mechanism and transmission means to disconnect the drive, including a scroll or spiral formation and a plunger for axial movement, allowing for reliable disconnection and easy resetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plunger and scroll formation disconnect arrangement is used, then reliable disconnection can be achieved at low speeds, but the plunger cannot move to its fully deployed position at high speeds above 15000 rpm
Solution Approach 1:
An interrupt shaft is introduced as an intermediary component between the high-speed drive shaft and the disconnect mechanism. The interrupt shaft rotates at a reduced speed (below 15000 rpm) via a gear arrangement, enabling the plunger and scroll formation to function reliably. This mediator translates high-speed rotation into controlled axial movement without exposing the disconnect mechanism to excessive speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts rotational motion into axial motion through the interrupt shaft mechanism. The interrupt shaft's rotation at reduced speed is transformed into axial displacement that actuates the plunger, effectively changing the dimensional nature of the motion to protect the disconnect mechanism from high-speed damage.
2Reliability
If molten material disconnect arrangements are used, then drive interruption can be achieved, but the arrangements are difficult and costly to reset and cannot be tested during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnect arrangement is designed to be self-resetting through a spring mechanism. When the fault condition is resolved, the spring automatically returns the plunger to its initial position, re-engaging the drive without requiring manual intervention or specialized resetting equipment, thereby improving ease of repair.
3Power
If high step-up gearing is used to achieve adequate electrical output at idle speed, then generator output is sufficient, but very high operating speeds around 30000 rpm are reached at maximum engine speed
Solution Approach 1:
The disconnect mechanism is prepared in advance with the plunger positioned to engage the scroll formation. The spring is pre-loaded to provide the necessary force for disconnection. When a fault is detected, this preliminary preparation enables immediate disconnection without delay, protecting the system from high-speed damage.
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
This solution provides a reliable and convenient disconnect mechanism that operates effectively at high speeds, allowing for safe disconnection of the drive to prevent further damage and facilitates easy resetting during maintenance, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a gear arrangement whereby the interrupt shaft is driven for rotation by the drive shaft at a speed slower than the rotary speed of the drive shaft
Implementation Method 2
disconnect means operable to cause axial movement of the interrupt shaft... includes a scroll or spiral formation and a plunger for axial movement
Implementation Method 3
a clutch arrangement operable, upon axial movement of the drive shaft occurring, to interrupt drive to the drive shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A drive arrangement comprising a drive shaft, a clutch arrangement operable, upon axial movement of the drive shaft occurring, to interrupt drive to the drive shaft, an axially movable interrupt shaft, a gear arrangement whereby the interrupt shaft is driven for rotation by the drive shaft at a speed slower than the rotary speed of the drive shaft, a disconnect device operable to cause axial movement of the interrupt shaft, and a transmission device for transmitting axial movement of the interrupt shaft to the drive shaft.