Torque Limiter with Brake: Roller-Jammer Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing torque limiter and separate friction brake devices in aerospace applications result in an undesirable duplication of brake components, increased weight, and size, as they are designed to handle excessive torque and motor failures independently, which is inefficient due to the added weight.
Innovation Solution
A combined torque limiter device incorporating a roller-jammer mechanism and an electromagnetic brake, where the roller-jammer applies a braking load when excessive torque is detected, and the brake device activates the roller-jammer, eliminating the need for separate devices by using a roller cage with rollers and a worm gear to resist rotation and a series of brake discs with an electromagnetic actuator to apply a braking load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate torque limiter and brake devices are provided, then torque limiting and braking functions are achieved, but device complexity and weight increase due to component duplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the torque limiter and brake device into a single integrated unit. The brake device is positioned within the torque limiter housing, and both mechanisms share common components such as the drive shaft, rollers, and housing structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate torque limiting and braking devices, reducing overall system complexity and component duplication while maintaining both functions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions: torque limitation through the roller-jammer mechanism and selective braking through the electromagnetic brake. The brake discs and actuator system serve dual purposes by既能 applying braking load to the drive shaft directly,也能 activating the roller-jammer mechanism. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require separate torque limiter and brake components.
2Reliability
If separate torque limiter and brake devices are provided, then torque limiting and braking functions are achieved, but weight increases due to duplicated components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the torque limiter and brake device into a single integrated unit. The brake device is positioned within the torque limiter housing, and both mechanisms share common components such as the drive shaft, rollers, and housing structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate torque limiting and braking devices, reducing overall system complexity and component duplication while maintaining both functions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates redundant components by integrating functions. Instead of having separate torque limiters and brakes, the design recovers and reuses components like the drive shaft, housing, and mounting structures for both functions. The brake discs and actuator are positioned to work within the existing torque limiter framework, effectively discarding the need for duplicate independent systems and recovering the weight savings from shared components.
3Reliability
If separate torque limiter and brake devices are provided, then torque limiting and braking functions are achieved, but size increases due to component duplication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the torque limiter and brake device into a single integrated unit. The brake device is positioned within the torque limiter housing, and both mechanisms share common components such as the drive shaft, rollers, and housing structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate torque limiting and braking devices, reducing overall system complexity and component duplication while maintaining both functions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake device is nested within the torque limiter housing. The brake discs are positioned concentrically with the drive shaft, and the electromagnetic actuator is housed within the existing torque limiter structure. This nesting arrangement allows the brake components to occupy space already allocated for the torque limiter, significantly reducing the overall volume required compared to having separate side-by-side devices.
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
This solution reduces weight and size by integrating torque limiting and braking functions within a single device, allowing efficient locking of actuators against movement while minimizing component duplication and weight, achieving both torque limitation and braking in a low-weight, compact design.
Implementation Method 1
the rollers to bear against the abutment surfaces, resisting relative rotation therebetween
Implementation Method 2
The actuator is preferably an electromagnetic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A torque limiter device for an aircraft wing-mounted flap includes a drive input, an output rotatable in response to rotation of the drive input, and a roller-jammer operable in the event that the torque transmitted between the drive input and the output exceeds a predetermined level to apply a braking load to the drive input and/or the output, and a brake device operable to apply a braking load to the roller-jammer device to cause activation thereof.