Patent Application
20230265937
The present disclosure relates to actuator systems and more particularly to solenoid driven actuator systems.
In many turbine engines, effector actuation systems (vanes angle, nozzle area, etc) are usually modulated, but sometimes a two-position system may be advantageous. In modern turbine engines, weight and space are more critical than previous engines because of the increased externals content added to improve engine efficiency. A traditional modulating actuator system usually has two Electro-Hydraulic Servo Valves (EHSVs) and a solenoid driven transfer valve, which tend to be heavy.
The conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is a need for improved actuator systems. This disclosure provides a solution for this need.
A solenoid driven actuator system includes a first solenoid having at least one pressure input and a pressure outlet downstream from the at least one pressure input. A second solenoid has at least one pressure input and a pressure outlet downstream from the at least one pressure input. A transfer solenoid operatively coupled to the first and second solenoids. An actuator valve operatively coupled to a pressure outlet of the transfer solenoid.
In some embodiments, the at least one pressure input of the first solenoid includes a first pressure input and a second pressure input. The at least one pressure input of the second solenoid can include a first pressure input and a second pressure input. The transfer solenoid can be in fluid communication with the pressure outlet of the first solenoid and the pressure outlet of the second solenoid. A first pressure inlet of the transfer solenoid can be in fluid communication with the pressure outlet of the first solenoid. A second pressure inlet of the transfer solenoid can be in fluid communication with the pressure outlet of the second solenoid.
In some embodiments, depending on safety requirements of the component/program, first and second solenoids are configured and adapted to be operated on a single common channel. The first and second solenoids can be configured and adapted to be operated on separate channels. The transfer solenoid can be configured and adapted to operate on a transfer solenoid channel separate from channels controlling the first and second solenoids. The first solenoid can include a low-pressure conduit. The low-pressure conduit can include an orifice. The second solenoid can include a low-pressure conduit. The low-pressure conduit can include an orifice. The first and second solenoids each can include a low-pressure conduit and a low-pressure conduit. The low-pressure conduit of the first solenoid can include an orifice and the high-pressure conduit of the second solenoid can include an orifice.
In accordance with another aspect, a method for controlling an actuator valve with dual redundant solenoids includes providing a control signal to at least one of a first solenoid or a second solenoid to prompt an output from at least one of the first solenoid or the second solenoid, receiving the output in a transfer solenoid, providing a transfer control signal to the transfer solenoid to prompt the transfer solenoid to provide a control pressure from the output to an actuator valve via at least one of a high-pressure side or a low pressure side, and providing the control pressure from the transfer solenoid to the actuator valve.
In some embodiments, the method can include controlling actuator valve with an output of the transfer solenoid by exposing an actuator control cavity of the actuator valve to the high pressure source. The method can include controlling the actuator valve with an output of the transfer solenoid by exposing an actuator control cavity of the actuator valve to the low-pressure source.
These and other features of the systems and methods of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.
So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:
Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the solenoid driven actuator system in accordance with the disclosure is shown in
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As solenoids 102 and 108 are smaller and lighter than EHSVs system 100 provides reduced weight and reduced size envelope as compared with traditional EHSVs. Moreover, if the effector system that the actuator body 140 controls does not have its own means of tracking performance (position sensor, pressure sensor, temp sensor, etc) embodiments of system 100 can use proximity probes (which have good resolution to determine position in a non-modulated actuator) to determine the left or right position of the actuator body 140. Proximity probes are magnetic sensors that can be installed in the actuator valve 116 to determine position of actuator body 140 (e.g., is the actuator body in the left or right position). Proximity probes are lighter than a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT), which would typically be used to detect the position of the actuator in an EHSV system. The ability to use these proximity probes results in further potential weight and size reduction as compared with traditional EHSV systems. Additionally, because solenoids 102 and 108 have little to no internal leakage, system 100 also provides for improved fuel system efficiency and reliability as compared with EHSVs. The simplified control nature of solenoids, e.g., the simple I/O control structure, provides easier control as compared with EHSVs. As such, in situations where a non-modulated effector is appropriate, system 100 offers considerable benefits over traditional EHSVs.
A method for controlling an actuator valve, e.g. actuator valve 116, with dual redundant solenoids, e.g. first and second solenoids 102 and 108, includes providing a control signal to at least one of a first solenoid or a second solenoid to prompt an output from at least one of the first solenoid or the second solenoid. The method includes receiving the output in a transfer solenoid, e.g. transfer solenoid 114, and providing a transfer control signal to the transfer solenoid to prompt the transfer solenoid to provide a control pressure from the output to the actuator valve via a high-pressure side, e.g. inlet 110, and/or a low pressure side, e.g. inlet 111.
The method includes providing the control pressure from the transfer solenoid to the actuator valve. The method includes controlling the actuator valve with an output of the transfer solenoid by exposing an actuator control cavity, e.g. actuator control cavity 136, of the actuator valve to the high pressure source. In some embodiments, the method includes controlling the actuator valve with an output of the transfer solenoid by exposing the actuator cavity of the actuator valve to the low pressure source. The method includes communicating commands to the transfer solenoid through a transfer channel, e.g. channel 147. The method includes communicating commands to the first solenoid through a first channel, e.g. channel 155, and communicating commands to the second solenoid through a second channel, e.g. channel 157, where the first and second channels are separate from one another. The transfer channel is separate from both first and second channels. In some embodiments, the method can include communicating commands to the first and second solenoids through a common channel, e.g. common channel 149. In this instance, transfer channel is still separate from common channel 149.
The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for solenoid driven actuator system, with superior properties including reduced weight and size, and increased reliability and efficiency. The systems and methods of the present invention can apply to a variety of actuators, or the like. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure.
