Trying to scale an actuator
Trying to scale an actuator
(OP)
Hello,
I have a design problem: I have a known large airplane and aileron actuator definition, and would like to scale the actuator down for a smaller aircraft study. If the ratio of the aileron areas times their centroid distance from the centerline is, say 2, how do I apply this to scale down the actuator size?
If it was by volume, it would be the cube root of 2. If it was by piston area, it would be the square root of 2.
I just need a rule of thumb.
Any ideas? Thanks if so.
I have a design problem: I have a known large airplane and aileron actuator definition, and would like to scale the actuator down for a smaller aircraft study. If the ratio of the aileron areas times their centroid distance from the centerline is, say 2, how do I apply this to scale down the actuator size?
If it was by volume, it would be the cube root of 2. If it was by piston area, it would be the square root of 2.
I just need a rule of thumb.
Any ideas? Thanks if so.





RE: Trying to scale an actuator
More generally, I'd avoid taking that approach, just reverse engineer the original installation and then use the same sums for the new one. I think one of your assumptions is very dodgy.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: Trying to scale an actuator
RE: Trying to scale an actuator
RE: Trying to scale an actuator
Let me simplify the question:
If I have a known actuator that is capable of 10,000 lb of force, and I want to scale it down to a notional one capable of 5,000 lb force, what will be it's size? I know it won't scale linearly, that is be half as big.
Careers must have been built on scaling laws, but I'm having trouble getting info on this now.
RE: Trying to scale an actuator
RE: Trying to scale an actuator
RE: Trying to scale an actuator
if you are trying to design an actuator, see israelkk's first post ... i'd suggest not proceding with caution, rather don't proceed at all ... designing an actuator isn't something to be taken lightly.
RE: Trying to scale an actuator
Also be aware that aircraft control surface actuators are typically designed with very generous power margins (>100%), to account for unusal conditions such as icing, hinge binding, or jamming.