Saturation-Controlled Variable Damper for Aircraft Nose Wheel Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary dampers in aircraft nose wheel actuators with fixed damping coefficients limit responsiveness and performance due to constant drag torque, requiring larger sizes to compensate, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A saturation-controlled variable damper system with a stator assembly comprising high and low damping cores and a control winding that adjusts drag torque by varying the current applied, allowing for a variable damping coefficient based on the speed of the rotor shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed damping coefficient is used in the rotary damper, then the drag torque is constant and simple to control, but the responsiveness and performance of the nose wheel actuator are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed damping coefficient to a variable damping coefficient that changes with rotor shaft speed. The control winding receives a current that varies the damping coefficient in real-time, allowing the drag torque to adapt to different operating conditions and improve actuator responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of damping coefficient from fixed to variable. By adjusting the current through the control winding, the damping coefficient becomes a variable parameter that depends on rotor shaft speed, enabling optimized performance across different operational ranges.
2Device complexity
If a fixed damping coefficient is used in the rotary damper, then the structure is simple, but the size of the nose wheel actuator must increase to overcome the constant drag torque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to make the damping coefficient variable rather than fixed. This allows the drag torque to be optimized at different speeds, reducing the peak torque requirements and enabling a smaller, lighter actuator design while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the damping coefficient parameter dynamically based on rotor shaft speed, the system reduces the maximum drag torque that the actuator must overcome, thereby reducing the required actuator size and weight.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed damping coefficient is used in the rotary damper, then the design is straightforward, but the drag torque creates energy loss and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the damping coefficient from a fixed parameter to a variable parameter controlled by the current through the control winding. This allows the drag torque to be optimized at different operating speeds, reducing energy losses and improving overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing dynamic control of the damping coefficient based on rotor shaft speed, the system minimizes energy losses that occur with fixed damping, allowing for more efficient operation across the full range of speeds.
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 system enhances responsiveness and performance by dynamically controlling drag torque, reducing the need for increased size and improving efficiency by adjusting damping in real-time with the controller.
Implementation Method 1
a permanent magnet electric machine configured to create drag on the nose wheel actuator through rotation of a motor shaft and permanent magnet assembly about an electromagnetic stator
Implementation Method 2
a stator assembly comprising a high damping core, a low damping core coaxially aligned with the high damping core
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a stator assembly comprising a high damping core (210), a low damping core (220) coaxially aligned with the high damping core (210), a plurality of slots (312, 322) defined in at least one of the high damping core (210) and the low damping core (220) and extending between a first axial end face (602) and a second axial end face (603) of the at least one of the high damping core (210) and the low damping core (220), and a control winding (230) being integrally continuous and successively wound through the plurality of slots (312, 322), such that the control winding (230) enters the plurality of slots (312, 322) from at least one of the first axial end face (602) and the second axial end face (603). In various embodiments, the control winding (230) is configured to receive a current.