Landing Gear Wheel Drive Sensing for Transmission Error Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drive systems for aircraft landing gear wheels lack effective means to measure and indicate transmission errors caused by misalignment, deflection, or wear, leading to potential damage from vibrations, despite the use of compliance devices like rotary dampers.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a transmission error measurement apparatus within the drive system that includes sensors to monitor torque, speed, and vibration data over time, allowing for the assessment of transmission errors and scheduling of maintenance based on observed trends and patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rotary damper is added to reduce vibrations from transmission error, then the drive system protection is improved, but the device complexity increases and the damper has a limited absorption capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive system protectionVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by using sensors (accelerometers, vibration sensors, torque sensors) to continuously monitor transmission error and vibration levels, then comparing actual performance against expected performance to detect deviations. This feedback loop enables proactive identification of transmission errors before they cause damage, resolving the contradiction by providing protection through monitoring rather than passive mechanical damping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical vibration absorption approach (rotary damper) with an electronic monitoring and detection system. Instead of mechanically absorbing vibrations, the system uses sensors and data processing to detect and indicate transmission errors, thereby avoiding the need for complex mechanical compliance devices while achieving similar protective functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If transmission error measurement apparatus is added to monitor torque and vibrations, then the measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission error measurementVSAvoiddrive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves multi-functionality by using existing drive system components (motor, sensors already present for other purposes) to also perform transmission error measurement. The system uses accelerometers, vibration sensors, and torque sensors that may already be present for other monitoring functions, thereby achieving precise transmission error measurement without adding dedicated complex measurement apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive system performs self-diagnosis by using its own operational data (torque, speed, vibration) to detect transmission errors. The system monitors its own performance characteristics and compares actual torque and speed against commanded values, enabling self-assessment of transmission health without requiring external complex measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If existing drive systems operate without transmission error monitoring, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to undetected vibrations causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive system complexityVSAvoiddrive system reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring transmission error and detecting potential issues before they lead to damage. The system proactively identifies misalignment, wear, or deflection problems through sensor data analysis, allowing maintenance to be scheduled before catastrophic failure occurs, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex intervention mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11514728B2Drive system for rotating a wheel of a landing gear having a transmission error measurement apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.11.29 AIRBUS OPERATIONS LTD
  • US11514728B2 patent drawing
  • US11514728B2 patent drawing
  • US11514728B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A drive system 20, 20′ for rotating a wheel 11, 11′ of an aircraft landing gear 10, 10′, is disclosed having a drive element 24, 24′, a motor 21, 21′ operable to rotate the drive element, and a driven gear 25, 25′ adapted to be attached to the wheel. The drive system has a drive configuration in which the drive element is capable of meshing with the driven gear to drive the driven gear, wherein the drive system further comprises a transmission error measurement apparatus 30, 40, the apparatus configured to obtain, over time, measurement data of one or more characteristics of the drive system when in the drive configuration, the measurement data providing an indication of a transmission error between a torque commanded by the motor and a resulting torque at the driven gear. An aircraft 100 and a method of providing an indication of a transmission error in a drive system is disclosed.