Aircraft Wheel Eddy Current Brake With Adjustable Air Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic braking devices with Foucault current for aircraft wheels are typically heavy and bulky due to the need for powerful magnets, and they face challenges in actuator implementation due to limited space.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic braking device with Foucault current is designed with a unique actuator system that includes a first and second stator linked to the wheel support and a rotor connected to the rim, utilizing a transmission set with gables and maneuvering bars to optimize magnetic flow and generate a high braking torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If powerful magnets are used to achieve high braking power, then braking torque is improved, but device mass and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic braking device is divided into multiple independent braking sets, each comprising a rotor and two stators. This segmentation allows the magnetic flux to be concentrated and optimized in each set, generating sufficient eddy currents and braking torque without requiring excessively large or powerful individual magnets, thus controlling the overall mass and volume of the device.
2Power
If multiple rotors and stators are installed to increase braking capacity, then braking torque is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple braking sets are arranged in a compact, integrated configuration around the wheel hub, with stators positioned on opposite sides of the rotor. This merging approach consolidates the magnetic components into a unified structure that maximizes braking torque through optimized magnetic flux concentration, while the compact arrangement simplifies the overall actuator installation compared to distributed configurations.
3Ease of operation
If stators are moved relative to rotors to operate magnetic braking, then braking control is improved, but available space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The stators are designed to be movable relative to the rotors through integrated actuators, enabling dynamic adjustment of the air gap between stator and rotor faces. This dynamic capability allows precise control of the magnetic flux and braking torque while the actuators are compactly positioned within the wheel assembly, efficiently utilizing the limited available space.
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 configuration optimizes magnetic flow, generates a surplus of Foucault current, and provides a high braking torque while minimizing the mass and size of the device, addressing the constraints of aircraft applications.
Implementation Method 1
the stators carrying a plurality of magnets emitting via the first face a magnetic flux capable of generating, depending on the air gap, eddy currents in the rotor when the rotor pivots with the wheel
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic flux capable of generating, depending on the air gap, eddy currents in the rotor when the rotor pivots with the wheel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel provided with a magnetic braking device comprising two stators (2a, 2b) flanking a rotor (1) and having faces separated by an air gap (e) to generate, in accordance with the air gap, eddy currents when the rotor and the stator are in relative movement in a direction of rotation of the wheel. The device comprises an actuator for varying the air gap. The actuator comprises at least one transmission assembly (4a) comprising a pinion (6a), an operating bar (5a) extending along the rotational axis of the pinion, and members (21a, 22a) for mechanically connecting the operating bar to the pinion and the stator, respectively, which are arranged in such a way that the rotation of the pinion causes the stator to move parallel to the secondary axis, at least one of the mechanical connection members being a screw-nut connection. The invention also relates to a landing gear and an aircraft comprising such a wheel.