Deformable Rod End Cover for Water Ingress Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current rod end designs for linear actuators in aircraft systems allow water ingress through a slot in the hollow cylindrical shaft, which can lead to damage due to freezing, as there is no effective mechanism to prevent fluid or foreign object ingress.

Innovation Solution

A deformable cover with a mounting collar and shield is designed to fit over the rod eye, featuring axial splits or deformable fingers that can be secured using straps or clips, effectively blocking the slot and preventing fluid ingress by shielding the opening in the shaft wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a slot is provided in the hollow shaft to allow axial movement of the rod end, then the rod end can move axially relative to the piston rod under spring loading, but water can enter the internal cavity through the slot and accumulate in the rod end

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaxial movement capabilityVSAvoidwater ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A deformable cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the environment and the rod end internal cavity. The cover includes a mounting collar that fits over the rod eye and a shield that extends to block the slot opening, preventing water ingress while allowing the rod end to move axially through the deformable collar structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting collar is designed to be deformable, allowing it to flex and accommodate the axial movement of the rod end relative to the piston rod. This flexible structure maintains the sealing function while permitting the necessary mechanical motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If water enters the rod end through the slot, then the rod end can accommodate flexure in panels, but water will swell as it freezes which may cause damage to the rod end, piston rod or actuator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexure accommodationVSAvoiddamage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable cover acts as a protective intermediary that blocks water from entering the rod end internal cavity while still allowing the rod end to accommodate panel flexure through its deformable collar structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is installed in advance to prevent water ingress before freezing can occur. By blocking the slot opening with the shield, the system proactively prevents the harmful effect of water accumulation that would lead to freezing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover with shield is added to prevent fluid ingress, then water ingress is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid ingress preventionVSAvoidcover structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover integrates multiple functions into a single component: the mounting collar provides attachment to the rod eye, the shield blocks the slot opening to prevent fluid ingress, and the deformable collar accommodates axial movement. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable cover serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a mounting structure, a sealing barrier, and a flexible accommodation mechanism for rod end movement, making it a multi-functional component that addresses several requirements at once.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 cover effectively prevents water and foreign object ingress into the rod end, reducing the risk of damage from freezing and enhancing the reliability of the actuator system without requiring removal of the rod end from the piston rod.

Implementation Method 1

The collar is deformable such that it may be mounted over a rod eye mounted to the rod end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

a shield extending from the collar and shaped such that when attached to the rod end the shield shields a portion of rod end to prevent fluid or foreign object ingress to the rod end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11698085B2Rod end cover

Publication Date: 2023.07.11 GOODRICH AEROSPACE SERVICES PTE LTD

AI summary

A cover for a rod end of an actuator comprises a mounting collar for surrounding and mounting to a portion of the rod end. The collar is deformable such that it may be mounted over a rod eye mounted to the rod end. The cover further comprises a shield extending from the collar and shaped such that when attached to the rod end the shield shields a portion of rod end to prevent fluid or foreign object ingress to the rod end.