Aircraft Wingtip Lock Actuation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuator systems require multiple electrical sensors to diagnose the status of multiple actuated components, which can reduce the overall reliability due to the unreliability of electrical sensors.
Innovation Solution
An actuator system that uses a single electrical sensor and mechanical summing mechanisms to determine the status of multiple actuatable components, increasing reliability by reducing the number of electrical components and incorporating additional mechanical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple electrical sensors are used to diagnose the status of multiple actuated components, then the measurement capability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to the unreliability of electrical sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple status detection functions into a single electrical sensor by using mechanical summing mechanisms that aggregate the status of multiple actuated components into a single mechanical indicator position, which is then detected by one sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces multiple electrical sensors with a mechanical detection system where mechanical summing mechanisms convert the status of multiple components into a single mechanical position that can be detected by one electrical sensor, thereby substituting electrical sensing with mechanical signal aggregation
2Measurement precision
If multiple electrical sensors are used to monitor multiple actuatable components, then the measurement completeness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple status signals into a single mechanical indicator through summing mechanisms, allowing one sensor to monitor what would otherwise require multiple sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The single electrical sensor performs multiple detection functions by reading the position of a mechanical indicator that represents the combined status of multiple actuatable components, making the sensor multi-functional
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is a system that includes an actuator (102) with a movable input, a first summing mechanism (106) with an input (112B), a first output, and a second output (114A, 116A). The input of the first summing mechanism is movably driven by the movable input of the actuator (102) and the first output (116A) of the first summing mechanism is movably coupled to a first actuatable element (122A). The system also includes an end mechanism (108) with an input (114B) and a first output (116B). The input of the end mechanism is movably driven by the second output (114A) and the first output of the end mechanism is movably coupled to a second actuatable element (122B). The system further includes a sensor (104) that senses a position of the rotational input of the actuator (102). A status of the first and second actuatable elements (122A, 122B) is based on a sensed position of the movable input of the actuator (102).