Upward locking device of landing gear system

Abstract

Disclosed is an uplock device (300, 500) of a landing gear system, the uplock device comprising: a hook (310) defining a gap (314), wherein the hook is movable between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the hook is used to hold a movable element (299, 499) of the landing gear system in the gap, and in the second position, the hook is used to allow the element to move into and out of the gap; a lock (320) capable of changing between a locked state and an unlocked state, in the locked state, the lock prevents the hook from moving from the first position to the second position, and in the unlocked state, the lock allows the hook to move from the first position to the second position; and a sensor device (330) for sensing whether the element is present in the gap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an uplock device of a landing gear system, and to a landing gear system and an aircraft comprising the uplock device. Background Art

[0002] In some known aircraft, the landing gear is maintained in an extended position when the aircraft is on the ground and is retracted to a retracted position in the landing gear well once the aircraft takes off. This retraction of the landing gear helps to reduce aircraft drag and noise as well as the risk of damage to the landing gear in flight. Subsequently, the landing gear is extended again to the extended position before the aircraft lands. The movement of the landing gear is usually controlled by the pilot using the aircraft's cockpit flight controls, such as a landing gear control lever.

[0003] One or more landing gear doors may be employed to at least partially cover the landing gear well when the landing gear is in the retracted position, and in some cases when the landing gear is in the extended position. The landing gear doors are movable between a closed position, in which the landing gear doors at least partially cover the landing gear well, and an open position, in which the landing gear is movable between an extended position and a stowed position. In some aircraft, the landing gear doors are opened before the landing gear moves between the retracted position and the extended position, and the doors are closed again once the landing gear has reached the desired extended or retracted position. In other aircraft, the landing gear doors are driven by the movement of the landing gear.

[0004] During flight, it is known that the landing gear is held in the retracted position by a landing gear uplock device and one or more landing gear actuators for actuating the landing gear are depressurized until the landing gear is to be extended again to the extended position before landing the aircraft. The landing gear uplock device is intended to prevent the landing gear from resting on the landing gear door when the landing gear actuators are depressurized.

[0005] Additionally, during flight, the gear door may be held in the closed position by the gear door uplocks, and one or more gear door actuators for moving the gear door may be depressurized until the gear door is moved to the open position. When the gear door actuators are depressurized, the gear door uplocks prevent the gear door from opening. Summary of the invention

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides an upper lock device of a landing gear system, comprising: a hook, which defines a gap, wherein the hook is capable of moving between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the hook is used to hold a movable element of the landing gear system in the gap, and in the second position, the hook is used to allow the element to move into and out of the gap; a lock, which is capable of changing between a locked state and an unlocked state, in the locked state, the lock prevents the hook from moving from the first position to the second position, and in the unlocked state, the lock allows the hook to move from the first position to the second position; and a sensor device, which is used to sense whether the element is present in the gap.

[0007] Optionally, the hook is rotatable between a first position and a second position.

[0008] Optionally, the uplock arrangement comprises hook biasing means configured to bias the hook to the second position.

[0009] Optionally, the uplock device comprises a member movable relative to the gap by the element when the element is in the gap.

[0010] Optionally, the member is rigid.

[0011] Optionally, the member is rotatable relative to the gap by the element when the element is in the gap.

[0012] Optionally, the uplock arrangement comprises a member biasing arrangement configured to bias the member relative to the gap.

[0013] Optionally, the component includes a first part and a second part located on respective sides of a component pivot, the component being rotatable about the component pivot, wherein the first part of the component is capable of protruding into the gap or being aligned with the gap or overlapping the gap, and wherein the component biasing device engages with the second part of the component.

[0014] Optionally, the uplock arrangement comprises a stopper configured to limit the extent to which the member can move relative to the gap.

[0015] Optionally, the member comprises a first portion and a second portion on respective sides of a member pivot, wherein the first portion of the member is capable of protruding into, being aligned with or overlapping the gap, and wherein the stop is configured to act on the first portion of the member.

[0016] Optionally, the member is operatively connected to the lock such that movement of the member relative to the gap causes operation of the lock.

[0017] Optionally, the member is operatively connected to the lock via a link. Optionally, the link is pivotally connected to the member and pivotally connected to the lock. Optionally, the link is a rigid link.

[0018] Optionally, the member is operatively connected to the lock such that movement of the member in a direction away from the gap causes the lock to change to the locked state.

[0019] Optionally, the sensor means is used to sense whether the element is present in the gap based on the state of the lock.

[0020] Optionally, the sensor arrangement comprises a sensor configured to output a signal dependent on the position of the component relative to the gap.

[0021] Optionally, the sensor is configured to sense the state of the lock and output a signal depending on whether the lock is in a locked state or an unlocked state.

[0022] Optionally, the sensor is configured to output a signal when the lock is in a locked state. Optionally, the sensor is configured to output a signal when the lock is in an unlocked state. Optionally, the sensor is configured to output a signal when the lock is in a locked state and an unlocked state, and the signal is different depending on whether the lock is in a locked state or an unlocked state.

[0023] Optionally, the sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

[0024] Optionally, the proximity sensor is configured to sense the proximity of the lock to the proximity sensor and output a signal according to the proximity of the lock to the proximity sensor.

[0025] Optionally, the uplock device comprises a controller, wherein the sensor device is communicatively connected to the controller and configured to send a signal to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the integrity of the uplock device based on the signal.

[0026] Optionally, the controller is configured to determine that there is a fault in the upper locking device when the signal indicates that the lock is in an unlocked state, but the controller does not take an action to make the lock currently in an unlocked state.

[0027] Optionally, the controller is configured to take action when it is determined that there is a fault in the uplock device. Optionally, the action includes sending an alarm to the cockpit. Optionally, the action includes causing an identifier of the fault to be recorded in a memory connected to the controller.

[0028] Optionally, the locked state and unlocked state of the lock are respective locked and unlocked positions of the lock relative to the hook.

[0029] Optionally, the lock is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0030] Optionally, the uplock device comprises: a lock biasing device configured to bias the lock to the unlocked position; and a hook biasing device configured to bias the hook to the second position, wherein the lock biasing device is separate from the hook biasing device.

[0031] Optionally, the hook is movable between the first position and the second position independently of changing the lock to the locked state.

[0032] A second aspect of the present invention provides a landing gear system, comprising the uplock device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0033] Optionally, the landing gear system comprises: a landing gear which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein the hook of the uplock device is movable between a first position and a second position, in which the hook is used to hold a movable element of the landing gear in the gap, and in which the hook is used to allow the element of the landing gear to move into and out of the gap.

[0034] Optionally, the landing gear system includes: a landing gear, which is capable of moving between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein the landing gear is at least partially located in the landing gear bay when in the retracted position; and a landing gear door, which is capable of moving between a closed position and an open position, in which the landing gear door at least partially covers the landing gear bay, and in which the landing gear is allowed to move between the extended position and the retracted position in the open position; wherein the hook of the uplock device is capable of moving between a first position and a second position, in which the hook is used to hold an element of the landing gear door in a gap in the first position, and in which the hook is used to allow the element of the landing gear door to move into and out of the gap in the second position.

[0035] Optionally, the element comprises a rotatable element. Optionally, the rotatable element comprises a rolling element. Optionally, the element is a non-rotatable element, such as a pin.

[0036] A third aspect of the present invention provides an uplock device for an aircraft landing gear, the uplock device comprising: a coupler capable of changing between a first state and a second state, in the first state, the coupler is configured to engage with a portion of a landing gear system, and in the second state, the coupler is configured to disengage from the portion of the landing gear system; a retainer capable of changing between a locked state and an unlocked state, in the locked state, the retainer prevents the coupler from changing from the first state to the second state, and in the unlocked state, the retainer allows the coupler to change from the first state to the second state; and a linkage device configured to change the retainer from the locked state to the unlocked state when the portion of the landing gear system becomes disengaged from the coupler.

[0037] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an aircraft, comprising at least one uplock device according to the first aspect or the third aspect of the present invention, or comprising at least one landing gear system according to the second aspect of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the landing gear system;

[0040] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an uplock device of a landing gear system, wherein the hook of the uplock device is in a second position;

[0041] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an upper locking device, wherein the hook of the upper locking device is in a first position; and

[0042] Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the aircraft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The landing gear door uplock may include a hook for retaining a movable element of the landing gear door. Bending, breaking or other failure of the hook or the movable element may result in the movable element no longer being retained by the hook. As a result, the landing gear door may move from the closed position towards the open position under the action of gravity. This may result in the door being located in the airflow around the aircraft. This in turn may result in reduced aircraft performance and an increased risk of damage to the door and the landing gear retracted in the landing gear well associated with the door.

[0044] The landing gear uplock may include a hook for holding a movable element of the landing gear. Bending, breaking or other failure of the hook or the movable element may result in the movable element no longer being held by the hook. As a result, the landing gear may move under the action of gravity to rest on the landing gear door. Although the landing gear door is generally designed to bear the weight of the landing gear in this case, a failure of the landing gear door while the landing gear rests on the landing gear door may result in an uncommanded extension of the landing gear.

[0045] It would therefore be advantageous to provide a mechanism for detecting such a failure of the hook of the uplock device or of a movable element for engaging with the hook. Such a mechanism may be used to notify maintenance personnel of the failure so that the hook or element may be repaired or replaced at the next available opportunity. Additionally or alternatively, such a mechanism may be used to notify the crew so that they may take appropriate action. Such action may, for example, include contacting maintenance personnel at a predetermined destination during flight, causing operation of flight controls to compensate for any asymmetry that may be caused by uncommanded extension of the landing gear, or causing operation of one or more actuators to maintain the landing gear or landing gear door in a retracted position or a closed position, respectively.

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a landing gear system is shown. The landing gear system 10 includes a landing gear door 200 and an associated landing gear door actuator 202, a landing gear door uplock device 300 and an associated landing gear door uplock device actuator 302, a landing gear 400 and an associated landing gear actuator 402, and a landing gear uplock device 500 and an associated landing gear uplock device actuator 502. The landing gear 300 is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The landing gear door 500 is movable between a closed position and an open position. The landing gear system 10 also includes a sensor device 330 and a controller 100, the controller 100 being operatively connected to each of the actuators 202, 302, 402, 502 and being communicatively connected to the sensor device 330.

[0047] The landing gear door 200 is associated with a landing gear well (not shown). The landing gear door 200 at least partially covers the landing gear well when in the closed position. The landing gear 400 is at least partially located in the landing gear well when in the retracted position. In this way, the landing gear door 200 helps to protect the landing gear well and the landing gear 500 stowed in the well from debris that may be thrown into the well when the aircraft is moving on the ground or in flight. In addition, the landing gear door 200 helps to reduce drag (i.e., produce an aerodynamically smoother aircraft). The landing gear door 200 can be moved to an open position, in which the landing gear 400 is allowed to move between an extended position and a retracted position.

[0048] The landing gear door actuator 202 is used to move the landing gear door 200 from the closed position to the open position to allow movement of the landing gear 500 between the extended position and the retracted position. For example, the landing gear door actuator 202 can be a hydraulically actuated lock, an electro-hydraulically actuated lock, an electrically actuated lock, or a mechanically actuated lock. The landing gear door actuator 202 can also be used to move the landing gear door 200 from the open position to the closed position, or an alternative mechanism can be provided for such closing.

[0049] The landing gear door uplock 300 is used to hold the landing gear door 200 in the closed position, and will be described in more detail below. In some cases, the landing gear door uplock 300 may be omitted. For example, the landing gear door 200 may be held in the closed position by the landing gear door actuator 202 or by a mechanical linkage (such as a repetitively erected locking support). This may be the case when a landing gear uplock 500 (discussed below) is provided.

[0050] The landing gear door uplock device actuator 302 is used to move the lock 320 of the landing gear door uplock device 300 from a locked state to an unlocked state. For example, the landing gear door uplock device actuator 302 can be a hydraulically actuated lock, an electro-hydraulically actuated lock, an electrically actuated lock, or a mechanically actuated lock. The landing gear door uplock device actuator 302 can be depressurized when the lock is in the locked state, so that the actuator 302 can move relatively freely. When the actuator 302 is not pressurized, a spring can be provided to bias the position of the actuator 302.

[0051] The landing gear actuator 402 is used to move the landing gear 400 from the extended position to the retracted position. For example, the landing gear actuator 402 can be a hydraulically actuated lock, an electro-hydraulically actuated lock, an electrically actuated lock, or a mechanically actuated lock. The landing gear actuator 402 can also be used to move the landing gear 400 from the retracted position to the extended position, or an alternative mechanism can be provided for such extension.

[0052] The landing gear uplock 500 is used to hold the landing gear 400 in the retracted position and will be described in more detail below. In some cases, the landing gear uplock 500 may be omitted. For example, the landing gear 400 may be held in the retracted position by the landing gear actuator 402 or by a mechanical linkage (such as a repetitively erected locking support). This may be the case when the landing gear door uplock 300 is provided.

[0053] The landing gear uplock actuator 502 is used to move the lock 320 of the landing gear uplock 500 from a locked state to an unlocked state. For example, the landing gear uplock actuator 502 can be a hydraulically actuated lock, an electro-hydraulically actuated lock, an electrically actuated lock, or a mechanically actuated lock. The landing gear uplock actuator 502 can be depressurized when the lock is in the locked state so that the actuator 502 can move freely. When the actuator 502 is not pressurized, a spring can be provided to bias the position of the actuator 502.

[0054] The controller 100 is configured to actuate the actuators 202, 302, 402, 502 to move the landing gear door 200, the lock 320 of the landing gear door uplock 300, the landing gear 400, and the lock 320 of the landing gear uplock 500 as needed, for example in response to commands input by the crew into the cockpit flight controls of the aircraft.

[0055] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an uplock device of a landing gear system 10, wherein the engaging member or hook 310 of the uplock device is in a second position or a second state, and Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of an upper locking device, but wherein the engaging member or hook 310 of the upper locking device 300, 500 is in a first position or a first state. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The uplock device in the embodiment may be a landing gear door uplock device 300 or a landing gear uplock device 500 .

[0056] The uplock device 300, 500 includes a hook 310, and the hook 310 defines a gap 314. More specifically, the hook 310 has a first arm 311 and a second arm 312 that define the gap 314. The hook 310 can be in a first position (see Figure 3 ) and the second position (see Figure 2 ), in a first position, the hook 310 is used to hold the movable element 299, 499 of the landing gear system 10 in the gap 314, and in a second position, the hook 310 is used to allow the element 299, 499 to move into and out of the gap 314. The first position and the second position can be considered as a locked position and an unlocked position of the hook 310, respectively. In the case where the uplock device is a landing gear door uplock device 300, the movable element 299 is an element of the landing gear door 200, such as a rotatably mounted roller or other rotatable element, or a non-rotatable element such as a pin. In the case where the uplock device is a landing gear uplock device 500, the movable element 499 is an element of the landing gear 400, such as a rotatably mounted roller or other rotatable element, or a non-rotatable element such as a pin.

[0057] The hook 310 is rotatable about the hook pivot 315 between a first position and a second position. The uplock device 300, 500 includes a hook biasing device 390 configured to bias the hook 310 to a position such as Figure 2 That is, the hook biasing device 390 is configured to act on the hook 310 to tend to rotate the hook 310 about the hook pivot 315 to the second position. In some cases, the hook biasing device 390 can be omitted.

[0058] The upper locking device 300, 500 also includes a latch, a retainer or a lock 320. The lock 320 interacts with the hook 310. More specifically, the lock 320 can be in a locked state (see Figure 3 ) and unlocked state (see Figure 2 ), in the locked state, the retainer or lock 320 holds the engaging member or hook 310 in the first state to prevent the hook 310 from moving from the first position to the second position, and in the unlocked state, the lock 320 allows the hook 310 to move from the first position to the second position. The upper locking device actuator 302, 502 can be connected to the lock 320, and the upper locking device actuator 302, 502 is configured to move the lock 320 from the locked state to the unlocked state when actuated. As noted above, the controller 100 is configured to cause such actuation of the actuator 302, 502.

[0059] In this example, the lock 320 is movable relative to the hook 310. More specifically, the locked state and unlocked state of the lock 320 are the respective locked and unlocked positions of the lock 320 relative to the hook 310. In this example, the lock 320 is rotatable around the lock pivot 325 between the locked position and the unlocked position. The first portion 321 and the second portion 322 of the lock 320 are located on respective sides of the lock pivot 325. In this example, the hook 310 includes an engagement element such as a recess 316, with which an engagement device 324 of the lock 320 such as a pin or bolt or a rotatable element can engage when the lock 320 is in the locked position to lock the hook 310 in the first position. In this example, the engagement device 324 is included in the second portion 322 of the lock 320.

[0060] The upper lock device 300, 500 includes a lock biasing device 380, which is configured to bias the lock 320 to an unlocked position. Figure 2 . That is, the lock biasing device 380 is configured to act on the lock 320 to tend to rotate the lock 320 about the lock pivot 325 to the unlocked position. In this example, the lock biasing device 380 is engaged with the second portion 322 of the lock 320. The lock biasing device 380 is separate from the hook biasing device 390. More specifically, the hook biasing device 390 is not operatively connected to the lock 320. In some cases, the lock biasing device 380 can be omitted.

[0061] The hook 310 is movable between the first position and the second position without causing movement of the lock 320. More specifically, the hook is movable between the first position and the second position independently of the change of the lock 320 to the locked state. The movement of the lock 320 to the locked state is caused by a different mechanism, as will now be described.

[0062] The upper lock device 300, 500 includes a member 340, which is connected to the lock 320 by a connecting rod 370. The member 340 is rigid. The member 340 and the connecting rod 370 can be referred to as a linkage together. The connecting rod 370 is pivotally connected to the member 340 at a first pivot 371 and is pivotally connected to the lock 320 at a second pivot 372. The connecting rod 370 in this example is a rigid connecting rod. The member 340 includes a first part 341 and a second part 342 located on the respective sides of the member pivot 345, and the member 340 can rotate around the member pivot 345. The first pivot 371 is located at the second part 342 of the member 340. That is, the connecting rod 370 is directly pivotally connected to the second part 342 of the member 340. On the other hand, the connecting rod 370 is also directly pivotally connected to the second part 322 of the lock 320.

[0063] At least a portion of the first portion 341 of the member 340, which may be in the shape of an arm, can protrude into the gap 314 of the hook 310, or can align with or overlap the gap 314. The uplock device 300, 500 includes a stopper 360 configured to limit the extent to which the member 340 can move relative to the gap 314. The stopper serves to control the extent to which the member 340 can rotate about the member pivot 345. In this example, the stopper is configured to act on the first portion 341 of the member 340. In other words, the stopper is configured to contact the first portion 341 of the member 340 to limit the extent to which the member 340 can move relative to the gap 314. The uplock device 300, 500 also includes a member biasing device 350 configured to bias the member 340 relative to the gap 314. More specifically, the member biasing device 350 is configured to bias the member 340 to protrude into the gap 314 or to align with the gap 314 or to overlap the gap 314. In this example, the member biasing device 350 is engaged with the second portion 341 of the member 340.

[0064] The uplock device 300, 500 is configured such that when the element 299, 499 enters the gap 314, for example when driven by the landing gear door actuator 202 or the landing gear actuator 402, respectively, the element 299, 499 contacts the first arm 311 of the hook 310 and exerts a force on the hook 310, which tends to resist the bias of the hook biasing device 390 and rotate the hook 310 in the counterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 During this movement, the engagement means 324 of the lock 320 and the surface 318 of the hook 310 adjacent to the engagement element 316 of the hook 310 move relative to each other in such a way that the engagement means 324 follows the surface 318. This continues during the rotation of the hook 310 until the engagement means 324 passes the end of the hook surface 318 and is then free to move into the engagement element 316 of the hook 310.

[0065] When the element 299, 499 is in the gap 314 or moves into the gap 314, the member 340 can be rotated relative to the gap 314 about the member pivot 345 by the element 299, 499. That is, the element 299, 499 moves in the gap 314 or moves into the gap 314 so that the element 299, 499 contacts the member 340 and moves the member 340 relative to the gap 314 against the bias of the member biasing device 350. Figure 2 As shown, this movement of member 340 is in a clockwise direction.

[0066] The member 340 is operatively connected to the lock 320 by the link 370, so that movement of the member 340 relative to the gap 314 causes operation of the lock 320. More specifically, the rotation of the member 340 caused by the elements 299, 499 pulls the link 370. This in turn causes the link 370 to pull the second portion 322 of the lock 320, which causes the lock 320 to rotate against the bias of the lock biasing device 380. Figure 2 As shown, this movement of the lock 320 is in a clockwise direction. The upper lock device 300, 500 is configured so that the engagement device 324 has passed the end of the hook surface 318 at this stage. Therefore, under the influence of the tension applied to the lock 320 by the connecting rod 370, the lock 320 can be rotated from the unlocked position. This causes the engagement device 324 to engage with the engagement element 316 and thereby lock the hook 310 in place. Figure 3 In this stage shown in FIG. 3 , the lock 320 is in the locked state and the hook 310 is in the first position, at which the hook 310 holds the movable element 299, 499 of the landing gear system in the gap 314. In this way, the member 340 is operatively connected to the lock 320 so that movement of the member 340 in a direction away from the gap 314 causes the lock 320 to change to the locked state. For the avoidance of doubt, in some examples, when the lock 320 is in the locked state and the hook 310 is in the first position, the member 340 may not have completely vacated the gap 314. In other examples, when the lock 320 is in the locked state and the hook 310 is in the first position, the member 340 may have completely withdrawn from the gap 314.

[0067] The uplock device 300, 500 comprises a sensor device or detector 330 configured to sense whether an element 299, 499 is present in the gap 314. That is, the detector is configured to detect whether a component 299, 499 of the landing gear system is engaged with the engager 310. If the hook 310, such as the second arm 312 of the hook 310, or the element 299, 499 is broken, bent or otherwise fails in such a way that the element 299, 499 can leave the gap 314, or if the uplock is to be operated without the element 299, 499 being captured in the gap 314, the sensor device 330 is configured to sense the absence of the element 299, 499 from the gap 314.

[0068] In this example, the sensor device 330 includes a sensor 331, and the sensor 331 is configured to output a signal according to the position of the member 340 relative to the gap 314. More specifically, since the position of the member 340 is related to the state of the lock 320, the sensor 331 is configured to sense the state of the lock 320 and output a signal according to whether the lock 320 is in a locked state or an unlocked state. The sensor 331 can be configured to output a signal only when the lock 320 is in a locked state. The sensor 331 can be configured to output a signal only when the lock 320 is in an unlocked state. The sensor 331 can be configured to output a signal when the lock 320 is in a locked state and an unlocked state, in which case the signal will be different depending on whether the lock 320 is in a locked state or an unlocked state.

[0069] In this example, the sensor 331 is a proximity sensor or includes a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor 331 of this example is configured to sense the proximity of the lock 320 to the proximity sensor 331, and output a signal according to the proximity of the lock 320 to the proximity sensor 331. More specifically, in this example, the proximity sensor 331 is configured to sense the proximity of the first end 321 of the lock 320 to the proximity sensor 331.

[0070] As mentioned above, the upper locking device actuator 302, 502 can be depressurized when the lock 320 is in the locked state. If the hook 310, such as the second arm 312 of the hook 310, or the element 299, 499 were to break or bend or otherwise fail, for example under the influence of gravity, in such a way that the element 299, 499 would leave the gap 314, the lock 320 will move to the unlocked position. More specifically, since there is no movable element 299, 499 in the gap 314 to displace the member 340 from the stop 360, the member 340 and the lock 320 will be under the action of the biasing force of the biasing device 350, 380, 390, such as Figure 3 Freely rotates counterclockwise back to Figure 2340. As noted above, this rotation will be limited or controlled by the interaction of the stopper 360 and the member 340. Therefore, the combination of the member 340 and the link 370 can be considered as a linkage device, which is configured to change the lock 320 from a locked state to an unlocked state when the components 299, 499 of the landing gear system become disengaged from the hook 310. This may be due to the failure of the hook 310 in a manner that causes the components 299, 499 of the landing gear system to be disengaged from the hook 310. Alternatively or additionally, this may be due to a failure of a portion of the components 299, 499 of the landing gear system. In this example, this rotation of the lock 320 causes the distance between the lock 320 and the proximity sensor 331 to change, which can be detected by the sensor 331. The signal output by the sensor 331 will thus indicate that the lock 320 is in an unlocked state. In other words, the sensor device 330 is used to sense whether the elements 299, 499 are present in the gap 314 based on the state of the lock 320.

[0071] The sensor device 330, and in particular the sensor 331, may be communicatively connected to the controller 100 such that a signal from the sensor 331 can be received by the controller 100. The controller 100 may be configured to determine the integrity of the uplock device 300, 500 based on the signal. The controller 100 may be configured to determine that there is a fault in the uplock device 300, 500 when the signal indicates that the lock 320 is in an unlocked state but the controller 100 has not taken an action to make the lock 320 currently in an unlocked state. It is particularly advantageous to use only one sensor device 330 to both determine the state of the lock 320 and determine whether the hook 310 has failed, because this reduces the weight and complexity of the landing gear system 10 compared to having respective separate sensors and potential associated wiring for both functions.

[0072] The controller 100 may be configured to take action when the controller 100 determines that there is a fault in the uplock 300, 500. The action may include sending an alarm (such as visual, audible or tactile) to the cockpit. The crew can then determine what action should be taken, such as contacting maintenance personnel at a predetermined destination during the flight to alert them, causing the operation of the flight controls to compensate for any asymmetry caused by the uncommanded landing gear extension caused by the fault, or causing one or both of the actuators 202, 402 to operate to keep the landing gear or landing gear door in the retracted position or closed position, respectively. The action may include causing an identifier of the fault to be recorded in a memory connected to the controller 100 for subsequent identification by maintenance personnel. The maintenance personnel can then determine what action should be taken, such as checking the uplock 300, 500 and possibly repairing or replacing the hook 310.

[0073] Figure 4 is a schematic front view of an aircraft 1. The aircraft 1 comprises a front landing gear 30 and two main landing gears 20. The aircraft 1 also comprises a landing gear system as described herein, such as the one described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 The system 10 discussed. Therefore, the aircraft 1 comprises an uplock device 300 and / or an uplock device 500 .

[0074] It should be noted that the term “or” used herein should be interpreted as “and / or” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0075] The above embodiments should be understood as non-limiting illustrative examples of how the present invention and various aspects of the present invention can be implemented. Other examples of the present invention are contemplated. It should be understood that any feature described with respect to any one embodiment can be used alone or in combination with other features described, and can also be used in combination with one or more features of any other embodiment in the embodiment or any combination of any other embodiment in the embodiment. In addition, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be adopted without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An upper locking device of a landing gear system, comprising: a hook defining a gap, wherein the hook is movable between a first position, in which the hook is used to retain a movable element of the landing gear system in the gap, and a second position, in which the hook is used to allow the element to move into and out of the gap; a lock changeable between a locked state in which the lock prevents the hook from moving from the first position to the second position and an unlocked state in which the lock allows the hook to move from the first position to the second position; a sensor device for sensing whether the element is present in the gap; and a member capable of being moved relative to the gap by the element when the element is in the gap, wherein the member is operatively connected to the lock such that movement of the member relative to the gap causes operation of the lock.

2. The upper locking device according to claim 1, wherein: The member is rotatable relative to the gap by the element when the element is in the gap.

3. An uplock arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a member biasing arrangement configured to bias the member relative to the gap.

4. The uplock device according to claim 3, comprising a stopper configured to limit the extent to which the member can move relative to the gap.

5. The upper locking device according to claim 1, wherein: Movement of the member in a direction away from the gap causes the lock to change to the locked state.

6. The upper locking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The sensor arrangement is for sensing whether the element is present in the gap based on a state of the lock.

7. The upper locking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The sensor arrangement includes a sensor configured to output a signal based on a position of the member relative to the gap.

8. The upper locking device according to claim 7, wherein: The sensor is configured to sense a state of the lock and output the signal according to whether the lock is in the locked state or the unlocked state.

9. The upper locking device according to claim 7, wherein: The sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

10. The upper locking device according to claim 7, comprising a controller, wherein: The sensor device is communicatively connected to the controller and configured to send the signal to the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the integrity of the uplock device based on the signal.

11. The upper locking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The locked state and the unlocked state of the lock are respective locked and unlocked positions of the lock relative to the hook.

12. The upper locking device according to claim 11, comprising: a lock biasing device configured to bias the lock to the unlocked position; and a hook biasing device configured to bias the hook to the second position, wherein the lock biasing device is separate from the hook biasing device.

13. The upper locking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The hook is movable between the first position and the second position independent of changing of the lock to the locked state.

14. A landing gear system, comprising the uplock device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The landing gear system according to claim 14, comprising: a landing gear movable between a retracted position and an extended position; Wherein, the hook of the uplock device is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the hook is used to hold the movable element of the landing gear in the gap, and in the second position, the hook is used to allow the element of the landing gear to move into and out of the gap.

16. The landing gear system according to claim 14, comprising: a landing gear movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the landing gear is at least partially located in a landing gear well when in the retracted position; and a landing gear door movable between a closed position in which the landing gear door at least partially covers the landing gear well and an open position in which the landing gear door allows movement of the landing gear between the extended position and the retracted position; The hook of the uplock device is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the hook is used to hold the element of the landing gear door in the gap, and the hook is used to allow the element of the landing gear door to move into and out of the gap in the second position.

17. An uplock device for an aircraft landing gear, the uplock device comprising: an adapter changeable between a first state in which the adapter is configured to engage with a portion of the landing gear system and a second state in which the adapter is configured to disengage from the portion of the landing gear system; a retainer capable of changing between a locked state in which the retainer prevents the clutch from changing from the first state to the second state and an unlocked state in which the retainer allows the clutch to change from the first state to the second state; as well as A linkage is configured to cause the retainer to change from the locked state to the unlocked state in the event that the portion of the landing gear system becomes disengaged from the adapter, the linkage comprising a member (340) movable relative to the adapter by the portion of the landing gear system when the portion of the landing gear system is engaged with the adapter, wherein the linkage is operatively connected to the retainer such that movement of the member relative to the adapter causes operation of the retainer.

18. An aircraft comprising at least one uplock device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or claim 17, or comprising at least one landing gear system according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

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