Helicopter Rotor Blade Control Device with Ball Joint Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotor blade control devices for helicopters require complex and maintenance-intensive designs with large spatial requirements due to the use of hydraulic actuators and complex coupling mechanisms, which can lead to precision issues and increased weight.
Innovation Solution
A rotor blade control device featuring a swash-ring with an annular non-rotating and rotating component, utilizing electromechanical actuators with a two-part coupling mechanism that includes a lever and a rigid pushing member connected via a ball joint, allowing for independent adjustment and reduced component count, thus minimizing maintenance and spatial needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic actuators are used in the rotor blade control device, then sufficient actuation force can be achieved, but the system weight increases, maintenance requirements increase, and fire hazards arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hydraulic actuators with electromechanical actuators that use electric motors instead of hydraulic fluid pressure. This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic pumps, reservoirs, and fluid lines, thereby reducing system weight while removing fire hazards and leakage risks associated with hydraulic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the hydraulic fluid system entirely from the actuation mechanism. By eliminating the hydraulic fluid and its associated components (pumps, reservoirs, hoses), the system achieves weight reduction and eliminates maintenance issues related to fluid leakage and contamination.
2Measurement precision
If complex coupling mechanisms are used to connect actuators to the swash-ring, then precise control can be achieved, but device complexity increases and spatial requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuator mounting function directly into the swash-ring structure. The electromechanical actuators are mounted directly to the swash-ring or its support structure, eliminating the need for separate complex coupling mechanisms. This integration maintains control precision while reducing overall device complexity and spatial requirements.
3Ease of operation
If radial extensions are added to the non-rotating component of the swash-ring for actuator connection, then actuation can be achieved, but radial structural space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from radial actuator mounting to axial or tangential mounting arrangements. By changing the dimensional orientation of actuator connection from radial extensions to axial displacement or tangential force application, the design achieves actuator connection functionality without increasing radial structural space requirements.
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 provides a low-maintenance, compact, and precise rotor blade control system with reduced component complexity and spatial requirements, enhancing operational reliability and reducing the risk of leaks and fire hazards associated with hydraulic systems.
Implementation Method 1
The second coupling means (3) has, in addition to the lever, a rigid pushing member (18), which is connected to the lever at one end in a rotational joint such that it can pivot about a pivotal axis. At a second end of the pushing member, it is coupled to the non-rotating component of the swash-ring at the coupling point of the swash-ring, by means of a ball joint
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor blade control device for a helicopter, comprising a swash-ring, said swash-ring comprising a non-rotating component of the swash-ring, coupled in a non-rotatable manner to the helicopter, a rotating component of the swash-ring, at least three actuators disposed around a rotor shaft axis of the helicopter, a coupling means between the actuators and the non-rotating component of the swash-ring. The coupling means can be adjusted in terms of its pitch, for changing the position of a swash-ring coupling point on the non-rotating component of the swash-ring along the rotor shaft axis by the actuator, by means of a control shaft, in order to adjust the rotor blades. The coupling means has a pushing member, in addition to at least one lever non-rotatably connected to the control shaft, which is connected at a first end to the lever in a rotational joint, such that it can pivot about a pivotal axis, and is coupled at a second end to the non-rotating component of the swash-ring at a swash-ring coupling point, in a ball joint.