Spring Track Roller Assembly Axial Motion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft flap track roller assemblies experience reduced service life due to axial motion relative to the track surface, leading to increased maintenance costs and downtime, as vibrations from flight phases cause wear and tear, necessitating costly repairs or replacements.
Innovation Solution
A roller assembly with a race assembly comprising a first and second race, where the first race is axially movable relative to the second race, and at least one biasing member is used to absorb axial motion, preventing or minimizing axial motion between the roller and track surfaces, thereby extending the service life and reducing maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the roller assembly uses a fixed race structure, then the construction is simple, but the axial motion relative to the track surface reduces service life
Solution Approach 1:
The roller assembly is divided into separate components: an inner race, an outer race, and a biasing member. The inner race and outer race are axially displaceable relative to each other, allowing the assembly to segment the axial motion absorption function from the rolling contact function. This segmentation enables the track surface to have extended service life while maintaining reasonable construction complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The race assembly transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic structure where the inner race can axially displace relative to the outer race. The biasing member provides a dynamic restoring force that absorbs axial vibrations. This dynamic capability increases track surface service life while adding only moderate complexity through the inclusion of spring elements.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If high-hardness coating is applied to repair the track surface, then the service life is extended, but the repair cost and labor time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is pre-installed in the roller assembly to proactively absorb axial vibrations before they can damage the track surface. This preliminary protective action prevents wear accumulation that would eventually require costly high-hardness coating repairs, making maintenance easier and less expensive.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member acts as a cushioning element that absorbs axial vibrations before they reach the track surface. By providing this beforehand cushioning, the track surface is protected from vibrational damage that would otherwise require expensive repair procedures involving high-hardness coating application.
3Reliability
If the flap track is replaced instead of repaired, then the service life is restored, but the aircraft downtime and replacement cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is installed in advance to prevent vibrational damage to the track surface. By taking this preliminary protective action, the flap track maintains its reliability for longer periods without requiring replacement, thereby reducing aircraft downtime and avoiding the time-consuming replacement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member converts the harmful axial vibrations into a beneficial protective mechanism. By absorbing the vibrational energy that would otherwise damage the track surface, the assembly transforms potential harm into extended reliability, preventing the need for track replacement and reducing aircraft downtime.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the roller assembly absorbs axial motion through race displacement, then the track surface integrity is maintained, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The race assembly is segmented into an inner race and an outer race that can axially displace relative to each other. This segmentation allows the axial motion absorption function to be separated from the rolling contact function, maintaining track surface integrity while adding only moderate complexity through the use of standard spring elements and bearing components.
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 effectively increases the service life of the track surface and reduces maintenance costs by controlling axial displacement within the roller assembly, mitigating the effects of vibrations and maintaining the track surface integrity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one biasing member is interposed between the first and second races and is configured to absorb axial motion of the first race relative to the second race
Data Source
AI summary
A roller assembly comprises a first race and a second race. The second race is coaxial with the first race and is axially movable relative to the first race. The first and second races are movable between a static axial position and a dynamic axial position relative to one another. The roller assembly includes at least one biasing member that is operative to bias the first and second races from the dynamic axial position toward the static axial position.