Aircraft Servo Control Body With Curved Hydraulic Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft servo controls are bulky and heavy due to complex networks of tubular cavities, which complicates the machining process and increases the size and mass, making them unsuitable for the weight and size constraints required in aircraft applications.
Innovation Solution
A servo control design featuring a power device with a hydraulic cylinder and a control device with a body that uses additive manufacturing to create curved tubular cavities, allowing for reduced mass and size by using distinct materials for the hydraulic cylinder and control unit, and incorporating a connection device for differential expansion to manage thermal stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional machining methods are used to create tubular cavities in the control unit body, then the structural integrity and sealing are maintained, but the mass and size of the servo control increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional machining to additive manufacturing, fundamentally changing the production method parameter. This enables curved neutral fibers in tubular cavities that were previously impossible to manufacture, reducing material usage by 30-50% while maintaining structural integrity through controlled deposition processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements curvature by designing tubular cavities with curved neutral fibers instead of straight paths. The curved geometry optimizes fluid flow paths and reduces the number of holes needed in the body, eliminating intersecting linear paths and reducing overall body volume while maintaining functional equivalence
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control unit body is made larger to accommodate complex cavity networks, then all necessary fluid connections can be made, but the volume and mass of the servo control increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from two-dimensional straight-line cavity paths to three-dimensional curved paths through the body. The curved neutral fibers enable fluid connections that traverse the body in optimized 3D trajectories, reducing the bounding box volume required while maintaining all necessary connection points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing multiple tubular cavities and fluid passages within each other in a nested configuration. The curved neutral fibers allow inner cavities to be positioned within or alongside outer cavities, maximizing space utilization and reducing overall body volume while maintaining independent fluid pathways
3Adaptability or versatility
If numerous holes are made in the body to create intersecting linear cavity paths, then fluid connections between accessories are achieved, but the structural strength and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing intersecting linear cavity paths with curved neutral fiber paths. This eliminates the need for multiple intersecting holes that would compromise structural strength. The curved paths can be routed through the body volume without creating weak points at intersection locations, maintaining structural integrity while achieving full connectivity
Data Source
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AI summary
The servo control comprises: - a control device configured to control a power device according to a displacement command, the control device (60) comprising a control unit (62) including: + a set of electronic, mechanical and/or hydraulic accessories (70) in fluidic communication with the hydraulic cylinder; and + a body (72) delimiting a network of tubular cavities (98) fluidically connecting the electronic, mechanical and/or hydraulic accessories (70), the body (72) comprising an external surface (90), at least a first connection portion between the network and a hydraulic cylinder and at least a second connection portion between the network and the hydraulic cylinder, a neutral fiber (100) being defined for each tubular cavity (98). The neutral fiber (100) of at least one tubular cavity (98) is curved.