Patent · US Expired

Latch pin inhibitor for folding wing-tip aircraft

US5350135A · kind A · utility

55Cited by
5References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 12, 1993
Grant dateSep 27, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 12, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64C3/56
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A folding wing tip (14) on an aircraft (2) carries a lug (16) that moves into alignment with lugs (6, 10) on the inboard wing portion (4) as the wings spread. The lug (16) pivots an inhibitor (28) that is interconnected by linkage to a valve spool (122). The pivoting of the inhibitor (28) causes the spool (122) to shift its position so that a sense port is brought into communication with a return port. Return pressure in the sense port indicates a spread wing condition. When the wing tip (14) is folded, springs move the inhibitor (28) and the valve spool (122) back to their original positions. This communicates the sense port with a pressure port to indicate a folded wing condition. The spool (122) is preferably also biased into its original position by fluid pressure. In addition, the lug (16) has a cam (92) that engages a roller (84) carried by the inhibitor (28) when the wing tip (14) is moved into a folded position. Abutment of the cam (92) and roller (84) pivots the inhibitor (28) back into its original position.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.