Patent · US Active

Landing gear uplock mechanism employing thermal phase-change actuation

US8567716B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by

8References

17Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Messier-Dowty Limited · GB

Inventors

R. Kyle Schmidt · Pickering, CA
Michael B. Sinclair · Albuquerque, US
Edward Chan · Fremont, US

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 19, 2008
Grant date	Oct 29, 2013
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Aug 25, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
CPC primaryF03G7/066
WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An uplock assembly for retaining and releasing landing gear systems, said uplock assembly comprising: a thermal actuator comprising: a chamber configured to contain expansible material therein; a heating mechanism coupled to said chamber for heating said expansible material and causing volumetric expansion thereof; a piston slidably coupled to said chamber and adapted to extend in response to said volumetric expansion; and an uplock release mechanism releasably engaged by said piston when extended such that said engaged uplock release mechanism causes the release of said landing gear.

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