Load sensing system

Abstract

An actuator including a pair of load sensors arranged in the load path through the actuator. The load sensors are antagonistically preloaded and their outputs electrically connected to a processor for calculating a load in the actuator from the difference in loads measured by the respective load sensors.

Claims

1. A system for measuring a load in a ball screw actuator comprises a pair of load sensors arranged in the load path through the actuator, wherein the load sensors are antagonistically preloaded and their outputs electrically connected for calculating the load from the loads measured by the respective load sensors; wherein the load sensors are preloaded between respective sensor mounts, with a load transfer element being sandwiched between the load sensors, wherein the load transfer element comprises the outer race of a bearing supporting a rotational nut of the ball screw actuator; wherein the sensor mounts are formed as respective recessed shoulders in opposed first and second parts of an actuator housing which are fixed to one another by threaded fasteners wherein said first part of said actuator housing receiving the rotational nut and having an opening at one end of the actuator housing through which a screw shaft of the ball screw protrudes; and said second part of said actuator housing closing a second end of said actuator housing opposite said first end of said actuator housing.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the load transfer element is coupled to an actuator part movable relative to the housing.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the load transfer element comprises a bearing supporting a rotational part of the actuator.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensors are load cells.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein one or both of the load cells are annular load cells.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein one or both of the load cells are pancake load cells.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a processor for receiving load signals from the load sensors and calculating the actuator load therefrom.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the processor is configured to subtract the load measured by one of the load sensors from the load measured by the other sensor and dividing the remainder by 2 to calculate the actuator load.

9. A ball screw actuator comprising a pair of load sensors arranged in the load path through the actuator, wherein the load sensors are antagonistically preloaded and their outputs electrically connected for calculating a load in the actuator from the loads measured by the respective load sensors; wherein the load sensors are preloaded between respective sensor mounts, with a load transfer element being sandwiched between the load sensors, wherein the load transfer element comprises the outer race of a bearing supporting a rotational nut of the ball screw actuator; wherein the sensor mounts are formed as respective recessed shoulders in opposed first and second parts of an actuator housing which are fixed to one another by threaded fasteners wherein said first part of said actuator housing receiving the rotational nut and having an opening at one end of the actuator housing through which a screw shaft of the ball screw protrudes; and said second part of said actuator housing closing a second end of said actuator housing opposite said first end of said actuator housing.

10. The actuator of claim 9 wherein the load transfer element is coupled to an actuator part movable relative to the housing.

11. The actuator of claim 9 wherein the load transfer element comprises a bearing supporting a rotational part of the actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) A non-limiting embodiment will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows, schematically, an actuator incorporating a load measurement system in accordance with this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) With reference to FIG. 1, an actuator 2 comprises a housing 4 and a movable actuator part 6. A first pin connection 8 or other interface is provided on the housing 4 for mounting to a static structure (not shown) such as an aircraft airframe. A second pin connection 10 or other interface is provided on the movable actuator part 6 for connection to a movable structure (not shown) such as a movable aircraft surface such as a flap, aileron, spoiler, hatch, thrust reversing cowl, etc. The pin connectors 8, 10 are intended to receive pins, but it will be appreciated that other types of connectors, such as spherical connectors may be provided.

(4) In this embodiment, the actuator 2 comprises a rotational to translational movement converter, such as a ballscrew. In the embodiment, a nut 12 is mounted on a screw shaft 14. The screw shaft 14 is prevented from rotating relative to the housing 4 by conventional means, and the nut 12 is rotated relative to the housing 4, for example by an electric motor (not shown) such that rotation of the nut 12 will cause the screw shaft 14 to either extend from or retract into the housing 4, depending on the direction of rotation of the nut 12.

(5) The nut 12 is supported rotationally in the housing 4 by a bearing 16. As can be seen, the outer race 18 of the bearing 16 is sandwiched between first and second load sensors 20, 22 and acts to transfer the load from the nut 12 (and thus from the screw shaft 14) into the first and second load sensors 20, 22 and from there into the housing 4.

(6) In this embodiment, the load sensors 20, 22 are load cells and in particular annular pancake type load sensors. Such sensors are widely available. The annular shape of the load cells 22, 24 allows them to be arranged around the actuator nut 12.

(7) The housing 4 is formed in first and second sections 24, 26. The two sections 24, 26 are fixed together by threaded fasteners such as screws or bolts 28 (illustrated schematically), which may be arranged circumferentially around the housing 4. The first housing section 24 is provided with a first shoulder 30 for receiving the first load cell 20 and the second section 26 is provided with a second shoulder 32 for receiving the second load cell 22.

(8) As can be seen, the first and second load cells 20, 22 and the bearing outer race 18 are retained between the first and second shoulders 30, 32. The fastening of the first and second housing sections 24, 26 will apply a compressive load to the first and second load cells 20, 22 and the bearing outer race 18. In this manner, the first and second load cells 20, 22 are antagonistically preloaded against one another through the bearing outer race 18 and will experience the same degree of preload.

(9) The preload can be adjusted to a desired level by adjusting the screw fasteners 28. The preload should be such that the first and second load cells 20, 22 do not become fully unloaded when the actuator 2 is subject to either a tensile or compressive load in use.

(10) As illustrated schematically, the first and second load cells 20, 22 are connected to a processor 34 which receives the outputs from the load cells 20, 22.

(11) As will be understood from the FIGURE, if a preload Fi is applied to the load cells 20, 22 and a tensile force T is applied between the connections 8, 10, then the load F.sub.20 measured by the first load sensor 20 will be FiT. In addition, the load F.sub.22 measured by the second load sensor 22 will be Fi+T. The traction force T can be calculated in the processor by simply subtracting the first measured load F.sub.20 from the second measured load F.sub.22, and dividing by 2 as (F.sub.22F.sub.20)/2=[(Fi+T)(FiT)]/2=2T/2=T.

(12) Similarly, if a compressive load C is applied between the connections 8, 10, then the load F.sub.20 measured by the first load sensor 20 will be Fi+C. The load F.sub.22 measured by the second load sensor 22 will be FiC. The compressive force C can be calculated in the processor 34 by subtracting the first measured load F.sub.20 from the second measured load F.sub.22, and dividing by 2 as (F.sub.22F.sub.20)/2=[(FiC)(Fi+C)]/2=2C/2=C. In this case as the result is a negative value, it represents a compressive force, rather than a tensile force.

(13) The processor 34 can therefore calculate the tensile force using these simple equations.

(14) The disclosed system has several advantages over prior art systems using just a single load sensor, since the load measurement is no longer affected by the load cell preload. Thus changes in the preload, which may occur due to stress relief or temperature changes for example, will no longer be of concern meaning that there is no need to calibrate the system as frequently. Load measurement is therefore much more reliable, providing for improved flight control systems where monitoring or limitation of forces is desirable.

(15) It will be appreciated that the description above is of just one embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

(16) For example, while a rotational to translational actuator is illustrated, the disclosure is not limited to such, and would extend to other types of actuator such as linear actuators. Thus it is not essential that the load transfer element 16 sandwiched between the load cells 20, 22 is able to accommodate rotational movement of a movable actuator part. It could, for example, simply be a flange coupled to the movable actuator part in any convenient manner.

(17) In addition, while an electrically powered actuator is described, the disclosure is not limited to such and the actuator may be operated by other means, for example hydraulically or pneumatically.

(18) Also, while the load sensors 20, 22 are shown as being mounted in a static housing 4, they could be mounted on or coupled to a movable part, for example the nut 12, if a suitable load transfer element is provided on or coupled to the housing 4.

(19) Also, in other arrangements, both pin connectors or interfaces 8, 10 may be attached to movable structures, for example where the actuator 2 forms part of a kinematic linkage. Thus the housing 4 may not be static, but also movable in absolute terms.