Variable Horn Radius Actuation for Lower Aircraft Hydraulic Peaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft hydraulic systems face challenges in efficiently actuating flight control surfaces against varying loads due to peak hydraulic power demands, which limit the aircraft's range and payload capacity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control surface actuator assembly that includes a torque-generating hydraulic actuator and a variable horn radius (VHR) hydraulic actuator, which pivot relative to each other, allowing the actuator moment arm length to be selectively varied to regulate the torque applied to the flight control surface, thereby accommodating varying load demands without requiring substantial reconfiguration of the hydraulic system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the hydraulic system operates at a fixed pressure with variable flow rate, then the actuator can provide consistent force, but significant pressure loss occurs due to metering of flow at the actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable pressure hydraulic system where the hydraulic pump dynamically adjusts operating pressure based on real-time load demands of flight control surfaces. This replaces the fixed pressure system with a dynamic pressure regulation mechanism that matches system pressure to actual actuator needs, eliminating excessive pressure generation and reducing energy losses during flow metering.
2Reliability
If the operating pressure is configured to correspond to the largest load, then all actuators can handle peak loads, but peak hydraulic power demands increase limiting aircraft range and payload capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the hydraulic pressure parameter based on varying load conditions. During normal operation with moderate loads, the system operates at reduced pressure levels. When peak loads are detected on any flight control surface, the system automatically increases pressure to the required level. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain reliability for peak loads while minimizing average power consumption, thereby extending aircraft range and payload capacity.
3Power
If a variable pressure hydraulic system is implemented, then peak power demands are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The variable pressure hydraulic system incorporates feedback mechanisms where load sensors or pressure transducers continuously monitor the actual load on each flight control surface. This information feeds back to a control system that adjusts the hydraulic pump output pressure accordingly. The feedback loop enables automatic pressure regulation without requiring complex manual intervention, balancing system intelligence with manageable complexity.
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 peak hydraulic power demands, enhances the aircraft's performance and range, and increases payload capacity by dynamically adjusting the torque applied to flight control surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the torque-generating hydraulic actuator and the VHR hydraulic actuator additionally includes a respective hydraulic valve that regulates a flow of hydraulic fluid relative to the respective hydraulic actuator housing to control a position of the respective rod relative to the respective hydraulic actuator housing
Implementation Method 2
The torque-generating hydraulic actuator is configured to apply a torque to the flight control surface to pivot the flight control surface relative to the support structure
Implementation Method 3
The VHR hydraulic actuator is configured to selectively vary an actuator moment arm length, as measured between the control surface pivot axis and the actuator coupling axis, to at least partially regulate the torque applied to the flight control surface by the torque-generating hydraulic actuator
Data Source
AI summary
Control surface actuator assemblies, aircraft hydraulic systems including the same, and associated aircraft and methods. A control surface actuator assembly includes a flight control surface operatively coupled to a support structure, a torque-generating hydraulic actuator configured to apply a torque to pivot the flight control surface, and a variable horn radius (VHR) hydraulic actuator configured to vary an actuator moment arm length for pivoting the flight control surface. In some examples, an aircraft hydraulic system includes such control surface actuator assemblies, and an aircraft includes such aircraft hydraulic systems. In some examples, a method of operating one or more flight control surfaces of an aircraft includes controlling a selected flight control surface by adjusting, with a VHR hydraulic actuator, an actuator moment arm length corresponding to the selected flight control surface and pivoting, with a torque-generating hydraulic actuator, the selected flight control surface.