Reversed Actuator Piston With Nested Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Regulator valves in aircraft systems are prone to leaks and increased size/weight when designed to minimize leaks, which can lead to vibration issues.
Innovation Solution
The actuator assembly features a piston with an inner and outer cylindrical section, creating a recess to house a spring, which reduces leakage potential and minimizes size and weight by allowing the spring to be stored without additional space, improving the center of gravity and reducing vibration effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator assembly is designed to minimize leaks by adding more seals and tighter tolerances, then leakage potential is reduced, but the size and weight of the actuator assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is nested within the recess formed by the inner and outer cylindrical sections of the piston, allowing the spring to be stored within the existing piston structure rather than requiring separate housing space. This nesting approach minimizes additional volume and weight while maintaining the leak-free design
2Reliability
If the actuator assembly is designed to minimize leaks by adding more seals and tighter tolerances, then leakage potential is reduced, but the size of the actuator assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is nested within the recess formed by the inner and outer cylindrical sections of the piston, allowing the spring to be stored within the existing piston structure rather than requiring separate housing space. This nesting approach minimizes additional volume and weight while maintaining the leak-free design
3Reliability
If the actuator assembly is designed to minimize leaks, then leakage potential is reduced, but the potential for detrimental effects from vibration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is nested within the recess formed by the inner and outer cylindrical sections of the piston, allowing the spring to be stored within the existing piston structure rather than requiring separate housing space. This nesting approach minimizes additional volume and weight while maintaining the leak-free design
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the spring externally or in a separate compartment which would create vibration issues, the invention inverts the conventional approach by placing the spring internally within the piston recess, where it is constrained and less susceptible to vibration-induced problems
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 solution effectively reduces leakage areas, minimizes actuator assembly size and weight, and decreases vibration risks while maintaining efficient fluid pressure regulation.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is disposed within the actuator housing, and is configured to supply a bias force that urges the piston to move in the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for a valve actuator assembly comprising an actuator housing, a piston, and a spring. The piston is disposed within the actuator housing. The piston is configured to couple to a valve element, and includes an inner cylindrical section and an outer cylindrical section. The outer cylindrical section of the piston is spaced apart from the inner cylindrical section to define a recess. The piston is further configured to move within the actuator housing in a first direction and a second direction, to thereby move the valve element toward a first position and a second position, respectively. The spring is disposed within the actuator housing, and is configured to supply a bias force that urges the piston to move in the first direction. The spring is at least partially disposed within the recess, and at least partially surrounding the inner cylindrical section.