Triangular Dual Actuator Rotor Blade Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotor systems for helicopters and tiltrotor aircraft rely on heavy and complex anti-drive mechanisms that are inefficient and prone to failure, leading to loss of controllability and increased weight.
Innovation Solution
A rotor blade control system featuring a swashplate actuation mechanism with substantially triangular dual actuator assemblies that are independently and concurrently operable, eliminating the need for an anti-drive mechanism by balancing rotational and non-rotational forces, and incorporating redundant actuation to ensure safety and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an anti-drive mechanism is used to restrain the non-rotating ring from rotating, then the rotor system can maintain controllability, but the system becomes heavy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the anti-drive mechanism entirely from the rotor system. Instead of restraining the non-rotating ring with a separate mechanism, the invention uses the swashplate actuation mechanism itself to control the non-rotating ring's position, thereby eliminating the need for the anti-drive mechanism and reducing system complexity while maintaining controllability
Solution Approach 2:
The swashplate actuation mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it actuates the swashplate for collective and cyclic control while simultaneously controlling the non-rotating ring's position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate anti-drive mechanism, reducing overall system complexity
2Strength
If a robust anti-drive mechanism is designed to withstand strong rotational forces, then the non-rotating ring can be restrained effectively, but the mechanism adds significant weight to the rotor system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the anti-drive mechanism entirely, removing its weight from the rotor system. The non-rotating ring control is integrated into the swashplate actuation mechanism, which is already designed to withstand and manage rotational forces through its actuator assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
The dual actuator assemblies are configured to balance and counteract rotational forces through their geometric arrangement and actuation forces, eliminating the need for additional weight-bearing structures that would be required in a traditional anti-drive mechanism
3Productivity
If a conventional swashplate actuation mechanism is used, then the swashplate can be actuated, but the system lacks redundancy and is prone to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The swashplate actuation mechanism is divided into multiple independent actuator assemblies (typically three), each capable of actuating the swashplate. This segmentation provides redundancy, as the failure of one actuator assembly does not prevent the others from maintaining control of the rotor system
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple actuator assemblies with independent control capabilities, changing the system's redundancy parameter from single-point failure to multi-point failure tolerance, thereby improving overall reliability while maintaining full actuation capability
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor blade control system and methods therefor including a hub assembly pivotally attached to a rotor blade; a mast attached to the hub assembly; a swashplate assembly engaged with the mast and including a swashplate actuation mechanism pivotally coupled with the non-rotating ring at a plurality of coupling locations for moving the non-rotating ring and pivotally coupled with the base at a plurality of base locations, the swashplate actuation mechanism comprises a plurality of substantially triangular dual actuator assemblies that are independently and concurrently operable to move the respective coupling location so as to impart movement on the non-rotating ring. The swashplate actuation mechanism is configured to move the swashplate assembly about a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis in response to a cyclic input. The swashplate actuation mechanism is configured to move the swashplate assembly along the mast in response to a collective input.