Aircraft Slat Disconnect Sensor Frangible Fuse Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slat disconnect sensors in aircraft airfoil applications fail to reliably detect relative movement between slat sections, leading to potential loss of airfoil surface control due to mechanical linkages that may not consistently break under load, causing uncertainty in system failure detection.
Innovation Solution
A slat disconnect sensor design featuring first and second arms with a pivot-mounted base, a mechanical link with a frangible connection that breaks during a disconnect condition, and a fuse that maintains electrical continuity in the connected state and breaks in the disconnected state, allowing for reliable detection of slat section misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If first and second arms are used to straddle a striker pin, then the sensor can detect relative movement, but the device complexity increases with multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The fuse serves both as a mechanical link connecting the arms and as an electrical circuit element that breaks to provide the disconnect signal. The frangible walls of the fuse perform both structural support and circuit interruption functions. This merging reduces component count and simplifies the overall device while maintaining detection precision.
2Ease of operation
If a spring is used to bias the arms apart during disconnect condition, then the arms can move freely to indicate disconnect, but the device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse structure itself provides the biasing function that would otherwise require a separate spring component. The frangible walls are designed to break under specific load conditions, automatically allowing arm separation without requiring additional biasing mechanisms. The fuse serves itself by incorporating both the linking function and the biasing/release function into a single component, eliminating the need for separate springs.
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
Ensures consistent detection of slat section misalignment by maintaining electrical continuity during normal operation and breaking it during a disconnect condition, providing clear signals to the controller for airfoil surface control system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The first arm supports a magnet that is adjacent to an end of the second arm. The end supports a sensor, such as a Reed switch, that acts as a proximity sensor to detect the proximity of the magnet.
Data Source
AI summary
A slat disconnect sensor includes a base. First and second arms are spaced apart from one another and are operatively supported by the base. At least one of the first and second arms have an end mounted to the base and is rotatable relative thereto at a pivot between connect and disconnect conditions. A mechanical link includes first and second link portions respectively secured to the first and second arms. The link interconnects the first and second arms and includes a weakened area providing a frangible connection in the connect condition and is configured to break at the frangible connection in the disconnect condition. A fuse includes first and second fuse portions operatively mounted to the first and second arms. The fuse is interconnected between the first and second arms providing continuity in the connected condition, and continuity is broken between the first and second portions in the disconnect condition.