Aircraft Slat Drive Assembly for Skew Detection and Stop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lift control devices in aircraft, such as slats and flaps, can experience skewing due to unsynchronized actuators, failures, or drive mechanism issues, leading to asymmetric movement and potential operational hazards.
Innovation Solution
A drive system with synchronized first and second connection assemblies, each comprising tracks, guiding elements, and drive devices, which include sensors to detect spanwise motion and trigger a torque limiter to prevent skewing by stopping the drive system if threshold values are exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple actuators are used to drive the slat, then the slat can be moved reliably between positions, but the actuators may become unsynchronized or fail, causing skew of the slat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drive devices (first drive device and second drive device) into a synchronized drive system where both actuators work together to move the slat. The connection assemblies merge the drive functions while the guiding elements ensure coordinated movement, preventing skew even when multiple actuators are involved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism using guiding elements that detect spanwise movement of the track and provide information about slat position and synchronization status. This feedback allows the system to monitor actuator coordination and trigger warnings or stop operation when skew is detected, ensuring reliable operation.
2Productivity
If the slat moves on a curved path, then the slat can be deployed effectively, but side loads are generated that can affect track stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the side load absorption function from the main drive track system by introducing separate guiding elements dedicated to absorbing side loads. This separation allows the drive track to focus on moving the slat along the curved path while the guiding elements specifically handle spanwise movements and side loads, maintaining track stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding elements act as intermediaries between the slat and the drive track, mediating the interaction by absorbing side loads and preventing direct transmission of destabilizing forces to the track. This intermediary function protects the track system while allowing efficient slat deployment.
3Ease of operation
If spanwise movement of the track is detected, then skew can be prevented, but the drive system complexity increases with additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding elements serve multiple functions: they guide the track movement, absorb side loads, and detect spanwise movement for skew detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors and control mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding elements automatically detect spanwise movement and trigger appropriate responses (warnings or system stop) without requiring complex external monitoring systems. The system essentially monitors itself through the mechanical design of the guiding elements, reducing the need for additional complexity in the drive system.
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 synchronized movement of lift control devices, preventing skewing and maintaining operational stability by mechanically or electronically stopping the drive system when spanwise motion exceeds predefined thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
a first guiding element configured to absorb side loads from the first track by a first introduction means that is configured to couple the rotational degree of freedom around the radius of curvature of the track curvature of the first track
Implementation Method 2
a second guiding element that is configured to sense spanwise movement of the first track
Implementation Method 3
The first and second drive devices are mechanically coupled by a transmission shaft
Implementation Method 4
If the spanwise movement of the first track sensed by the second guiding element exceeds a threshold value, the drive system is stopped
Data Source
AI summary
A drive system for a lift control device of an aircraft. The drive system has first and second connection assemblies. The first connection assembly comprises a first track comprising a first end coupled to the lift control device and a track curvature having a radius of curvature; a first guiding element to absorb side loads from the first track; a first drive device to drive the first track, and a second guiding element to sense spanwise movement of the first track. The second connection assembly comprises a second track comprising a first end coupled to the lift control device; a third guiding element to absorb side loads from the second track, and a second drive device to drive the second track. The first and second drives are mechanically coupled by a transmission shaft. When the spanwise movement exceeds a threshold value, the drive system is stopped.