Remote Power Source Pump System for RAT Stowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual hydraulic pumps require extensive manual stroking to stow a ram air turbine (RAT) in small and mid-sized aircraft, leading to increased physical burden and installation time due to frequent deployments and stowings.
Innovation Solution
A pump system with a spring-loaded spool valve and rotational power device that allows for the use of pressurized fluid to retract the actuator, reducing the need for manual stroking by utilizing a rotational power source, such as an electric drill, to power the pump and control fluid flow for efficient stowing of the RAT.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual hydraulic pump is used to stow the RAT, then the system maintains hydraulic independence from the aircraft's systems, but extensive manual stroking (over 100 strokes for dual stage pump, over 150 strokes for single stage pump) is required, increasing physical burden and installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pumping system with an electrically-driven hydraulic pump system. The electric pump is powered by a portable power source (such as a battery-powered motor or external power supply), eliminating the need for manual stroking while maintaining the ability to generate hydraulic pressure for RAT stowing. This substitution reduces installation time and physical burden while preserving hydraulic independence from the aircraft's systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a portable power source as an intermediary between the electrical energy source and the hydraulic pump. This intermediary device (battery-powered motor or external power supply with motor) converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to drive the hydraulic pump, serving as a bridge that enables automated pumping without requiring direct connection to the aircraft's hydraulic or electrical systems.
2Device complexity
If a manual hydraulic pump with small displacement is used, then the system remains simple and portable, but the pump requires extensive manual stroking to generate sufficient hydraulic pressure, creating physical burden on the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical input system with an electric motor-driven pump system. The electric motor provides continuous rotational power to drive the hydraulic pump, eliminating the need for manual stroking operations. This maintains system portability and relative simplicity while completely removing the physical burden from the operator, as the motor handles all the work required to generate hydraulic pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the hydraulic pump from manual intermittent stroking to continuous electrically-driven operation. By changing the input method from manual reciprocating motion to electric rotational motion, the system achieves the same hydraulic output with dramatically reduced operator effort. The pump displacement remains appropriate for the application, but the driving mechanism parameter changes from manual to electric.
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 system significantly reduces the installation time and physical burden of stowing the RAT by eliminating the need for manual pumping, allowing for quicker and more reliable deployment and stowing operations while maintaining hydraulic independence from the aircraft's systems, enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a spool valve that is spring loaded and in fluid connection with the pump when the spool valve is in a stow position
Implementation Method 2
directing the fluid from the pump through a relief valve and to an actuator, and retracting the actuator with the fluid in the pump system
Data Source
AI summary
A pump system includes an actuator which can be retracted by a fluid in the pump system. Also included is a pump with a first drive coupling and a rotational power device with a second drive coupling. The second drive coupling is configured to removably mate with the first drive coupling for powering the pump. A spool valve that is spring loaded and in fluid connection with the pump when the spool valve is in a stow position is also included. In addition, the pump system includes both a relief valve and a reservoir both in fluid connection with the actuator.