Anisotropic magneto-resistive sensor flap measuring systems
A rotor-hub flap-measurement system includes a rotor hub operable to flap relative to a main-rotor axis, a flap-linkage arm, a first end of the flap-linkage arm rotatably coupled to the rotor hub, the flap-linkage arm responsive to flapping of the rotor hub, and a magneto-resistive sensor system rotatably coupled to a second end of the flap-linkage arm and responsive to movement of the flap-linkage arm.
1. A rotor-hub flap-measurement system comprising:
a rotor hub operable to flap relative to a main-rotor axis;
a flap-linkage arm, a first end of the flap-linkage arm rotatably coupled to the rotor hub, the flap-linkage arm responsive to flapping of the rotor hub; and
a magneto-resistive sensor system rotatably coupled to a second end of the flap-linkage arm and responsive to movement of the flap-linkage arm;
wherein the magneto-resistive sensor system comprises:
a first magneto-resistive sensor;
a second magneto-resistive sensor; and
a magnet having a first side and a second side, wherein the magnet is positioned between the first magneto-resistive sensor and the second magneto-resistive sensor such that the first side of the magnet is directly adjacent the first magneto-resistive sensor and the second side of the magnet is directly adjacent the second magneto-resistive sensor.
2. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the rotor-hub flap-measurement system is aligned azimuthally with a rotor blade associated with the rotor hub.
3. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the magneto-resistive sensor system comprises at least one anisotropic magneto-resistive sensor.
4. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 1 , comprising a platform to which the magneto-resistive sensor system is mounted.
5. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 4 , wherein the platform is integrated into a spinner-spoke mount.
6. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the flap-linkage arm is rotatably coupled to the magneto-resistive sensor system via a spherical bearing.
7. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the flap-linkage arm is rotatably coupled to the rotor hub via a spherical bearing.
8. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 1 , wherein the magneto-resistive sensor system comprises:
a rotatable sensor arm rotatably coupled to the flap-linkage arm and coupled to one of the magnet, the first magneto-resistive sensor, and the second magneto-resistive sensor.
9. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 8 , wherein the first and second magneto-resistive sensors are anisotropic magneto-resistive sensors.
10. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 8 , wherein the magnet is rotatable responsive to rotation of the rotatable sensor arm.
11. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 8 , wherein the first and second magneto-resistive sensors are rotatable responsive to rotation of the rotatable sensor arm.
12. The rotor-hub flap-measurement system of claim 8 , comprising:
a mounting bracket to which one of the magnet, the first magneto-resistive sensor, and the second magneto-resistive sensor is mounted; and
a bearing having a rotational axis about which the rotatable sensor arm rotates.
13. A rotor-hub flap-measurement method comprising:
flapping, by a rotor hub, relative to a main-rotor axis;
responsive to the flapping, a first end of a flap-linkage arm rotatably coupled to the rotor hub moving, at least in part, parallel to the main-rotor axis; and
responsive to the moving by the flap-linkage arm, a magneto-resistive sensor system rotatably coupled to a second end of the flap-linkage arm sensing movement of the flap-linkage arm;
wherein the magneto-resistive sensor system comprises:
a first magneto-resistive sensor;
a second magneto-resistive sensor; and
a magnet having a first side and a second side, wherein the magnet is positioned between the first magneto-resistive sensor and the second magneto-resistive sensor such that the first side of the magnet is directly adjacent the first magneto-resistive sensor and the second side of the magnet is directly adjacent the second magneto-resistive sensor.
14. The rotor-hub flap-measurement method of claim 13 , wherein the flap-linkage arm is aligned azimuthally with a rotor blade associated with the rotor hub.
15. The rotor-hub flap-measurement method of claim 13 , wherein the magneto-resistive sensor system comprises at least one anisotropic magneto-resistive sensor.
16. The rotor-hub flap-measurement method of claim 13 , wherein the flap-linkage arm is rotatably coupled to the magneto-resistive sensor system via a spherical bearing.
17. The rotor-hub flap-measurement method of claim 13 , wherein the flap-linkage arm is rotatably coupled to the rotor hub via a spherical bearing.
18. The rotor-hub flap-measurement method of claim 13 , wherein the sensing by the magneto-resistive sensor system comprises sensing relative movement between the magnet of the magneto-resistive sensor system and the first and second magneto-resistive sensors of the magneto-resistive sensor system.
19. The rotor-hub flap-measurement method of claim 18 , wherein the first and second magneto-resistive sensors are anisotropic magneto-resistive sensors.
20. The rotor-hub flap-measurement method of claim 18 , wherein one of the magnet, the first magneto-resistive sensor, and the second magneto-resistive sensor is rotatable responsive to movement of the flap-linkage arm.