Trim actuators for horizontal stabilizers and methods of controlling horizontal stabilizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing horizontal-stabilizer trim actuators face challenges in verifying the integrity of the irreversibility function, which is crucial for aircraft safety, due to the difficulty and laboriousness of functional testing, leading to increased aircraft downtime.
Innovation Solution
A trim actuator system comprising a power screw, rotary actuator, nut, and anti-back-drive mechanism, along with a sensor to measure internal loading, facilitating controlled motion and structural health monitoring of the horizontal stabilizer, enabling direct verification of the irreversibility function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the irreversibility function is integrated within the actuator, then the actuator can prevent involuntary variation of horizontal stabilizer inclination, but the functional test becomes difficult and laborious, increasing aircraft downtime
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary element between the anti-back-drive mechanism and the control system. The sensor detects internal loading conditions and transmits this information externally, enabling functional verification without direct manual testing of the integrated irreversibility function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides feedback about the internal loading of the anti-back-drive mechanism to the control system. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring and verification of the irreversibility function's integrity, allowing for automated testing and reduced aircraft downtime.
2Ease of operation
If the irreversibility function is integrated within the actuator, then the actuator can maintain effective control, but direct verification of the function becomes difficult and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor acts as an intermediary that makes the internal state of the anti-back-drive mechanism accessible for detection and measurement. By converting internal loading conditions into measurable signals, the sensor enables easy verification of the irreversibility function without disassembling or complicating the integrated actuator design.
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 the time and labor required for testing, improves aircraft availability, and provides real-time monitoring of the anti-back-drive mechanism's health, enhancing safety and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor, configured to measure internal loading of the anti-back-drive mechanism
Implementation Method 2
a power screw, a rotary actuator, configured to rotate the power screw, and a nut, configured to translate along the power screw when the power screw is rotated by the rotary actuator
Implementation Method 3
an anti-back-drive mechanism, configured to prevent the power screw from rotating in a first rotational direction when a first force is applied to the nut in a first axial direction along the power screw and also configured to prevent the power screw from rotating in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, when a second force is applied to the nut in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A trim actuator for a horizontal stabilizer comprises a power screw, a rotary actuator, configured to rotate the power screw, and a nut, configured to translate along the power screw when the power screw is rotated. Trim actuator also comprises an anti-back-drive mechanism, configured to prevent the power screw from rotating in a first rotational direction when a first force is applied to the nut in a first axial direction and to prevent the power screw from rotating in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, when a second force is applied to the nut in a second axial direction. Trim actuator further comprises a sensor, configured to measure internal loading of the anti-back-drive mechanism when the first force is applied to the nut in the first axial direction or when the second force is applied to the nut in the second axial direction.