Rotary Geared Actuators for Thin Wing Control Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern aircraft with thin wing configurations face challenges in accommodating large actuators required for control surface movement, leading to undesirable drag when actuators are housed in blisters on the wing.
Innovation Solution
An actuator system comprising a common input rail connected to a means for providing movement, a plurality of rotary geared actuators (RGAs) connected via individual input and output clutches, allowing independent operation and reducing the risk of drag by integrating the actuators within the wing structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If actuators are made large enough to deliver required performance for control surface movement, then actuator performance is improved, but actuator size increases making it impossible to fit within thin wing sections
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system is divided into multiple smaller rotary geared actuators (RGAs) that work in parallel. Each RGA provides a portion of the total required torque, allowing the system to achieve high performance while keeping individual actuator sizes small enough to fit within thin wing sections. The common input rail and common output rail coordinate multiple RGAs to deliver combined power.
Solution Approach 2:
The input shaft and output shaft of each RGA are arranged concentrically, with the input shaft positioned within the output shaft. This nested configuration minimizes the radial space required for each actuator, enabling compact integration within the limited volume of thin wing sections while maintaining adequate torque output.
2Ease of manufacture
If actuators are housed in blisters on the wing, then actuator installation is simplified, but aerodynamic drag increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple RGAs are integrated within a single wing section rather than being distributed in separate blisters. The common input rail and common output rail structure combines the functional elements into a unified arrangement that fits within the wing's internal volume, eliminating the need for external blister housings and the associated aerodynamic penalty.
3Reliability
If multiple RGAs are connected in parallel to provide sufficient torque, then system reliability is improved through redundancy, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common input rail and common output rail serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical connection for multiple RGAs, enable coordinated operation of all actuators, and facilitate redundant torque delivery. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each RGA, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity despite the reliability benefits of parallel configuration.
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 effectively reduces drag by integrating actuators within the wing, ensures continuous operation even if one RGA jams, and allows for flexible configuration and maximum drive torque radius.
Implementation Method 1
The input clutch functions independently of the output clutch
Implementation Method 2
the input clutch may be set to a threshold torque... the output clutch may be set to a threshold torque
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator system for actuating movement of a control surface of an aircraft wing includes a common input rail connectable to a means for providing movement to said input rail. The system also includes: a plurality of rotary geared actuators “RGAs”; a common output rail connectable to said control surface; wherein each of said plurality of RGAs is connected to said input rail by an individual input clutch and also connected to said output rail by an individual output clutch, and wherein the input clutch functions independently of the output clutch.