Development of a new system for reducing the temperature increase during the positioning of spoilers using pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM)
Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
ISSN: 0002-2667
Article publication date: 17 July 2020
Issue publication date: 21 August 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The usage of pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) is becoming increasingly widespread across a variety of industries because of its advantages such as its lightness and its ability to generate a huge amount of force using the fewest components. The purpose of this paper is to develop a piece of hardware to minimize and equally distribute the thermal changes on the surface of a PAM when positioning using PAMs. A classic PAM and a PAM that contains the hardware suggested for tasks, such as the positioning of spoilers decelerating control surfaces for aircrafts, were compared experimentally.
Design/methodology/approach
Rapid thermal changes were detected in the classic PAM, especially at the tip of the PAM. These thermal changes decrease the positioning sensitivity and reliability, thus shortening life span of the PAMs. A component was developed that could create a circulation of air around the tip of the PAM, preventing the temperature increase caused by still air. It is installed inside the PAM and makes it possible to control the pressurized air volume in crucial areas. Shaped as a perforated metal pipe, the component was embedded inside the PAM and effects of this component were investigated.
Findings
The experiment results have shown that, thanks to the system that was developed, cool air that comes from outside is able to reach the tip of the PAM every time, thus keeping regional temperature increase to a minimum. The temperature increase in the pressurized air inlet was minimized by creating a circulation of air in the area.
Originality/value
With this study, the distribution of heat in different areas on PAM was homogenized at a low cost using the component that was developed.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge funding from the Erciyes University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit under the contract no: FYL-2016-6355.
Citation
Soylak, M. and Bakır, M. (2020), "Development of a new system for reducing the temperature increase during the positioning of spoilers using pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM)", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 92 No. 8, pp. 1257-1261. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-12-2019-0235
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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