Method and apparatus for sensing skews and disconnects of adjacent movable components
US6483436B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64D2045/001
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A sensor detects skewed adjacent movable component. The sensor may be used to detect harmful skews of aircraft control surfaces, such as slats or flaps on aircraft wings, which may be caused by an actuator disconnection from the surface it drives. Harmful skew, which is a relative asymmetrical motion of control surfaces beyond a predetermined limit, is detected by the sensor, but the relatively smaller harmless skew caused by normal flight is ignored. The sensor comprises first and second arms connected to a common base that may be attached to a first control surface. A constraining means such as a mechanical fuse holds the arms together while a separating means such as a spring exerts a separating force on the arms when the fuse breaks. A switching means is integral to the two arms. A striker pin on a second control surface strikes the first or second sensor arm when the relative motion between the control surfaces exceeds a certain predetermined limit. The force of the striker pin breaks the constraining means at a predetermined tension. Then the switching means operates to provide an indication that the arms have been opened.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.