A ram air turbine lock mechanism

Abstract

This invention discloses a ram air turbine locking mechanism, comprising: a recovery controller, an angle sensor, a position sensor, a recovery solenoid valve, and a power supply; the angle sensor is installed at the pivot position of the support arm to monitor the rotation angle of the support arm; the position sensor is installed on the side of the turbine locking pin on the support arm to monitor the position of the turbine locking pin; the recovery solenoid valve is installed on the inlet and outlet oil lines of the retraction actuator; the recovery controller, connected to the recovery solenoid valve, controls the recovery of the ram air turbine system by controlling the opening and closing of the recovery solenoid valve; during the recovery process, when the turbine angle is incorrect, the recovery controller automatically sends a power-off command to the recovery solenoid valve, terminating the recovery; when the turbine is in the correct position, the recovery solenoid valve remains energized, and the ram air turbine system can complete the recovery. This invention solves the problems of traditional ram air turbines lacking interlocking function or having a high failure rate of mechanical stop mechanisms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to, but is not limited to, the field of aviation emergency energy, and relates to a ram air turbine lock mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional ram air turbine lock mechanisms mainly include several types such as mechanical interlock mechanisms, micro-switch interlock mechanisms, and non-interlock turbine locks.

[0003] Non-interlocking turbine locks are prone to malfunctions such as unintended retrieval, and are therefore less commonly used. Interlocking turbine locks effectively prevent unintended retrieval malfunctions, and are thus more widely used. However, existing interlocking turbine locks all have mechanical stop structures, which are prone to mechanical failures during actual use, affecting the reliability and maintainability of the ram air turbine. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a ram air turbine locking mechanism to solve the problems of traditional ram air turbines lacking interlocking functions or having high failure rates of mechanical stop mechanisms.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention: The present invention provides a ram air turbine lock mechanism, comprising: the ram air turbine lock mechanism being configured in a ram air turbine system, the ram air turbine system including a connected ram air turbine 10 and a support arm 13, a retraction and extension actuator 14 connected to the support arm 13, and a recovery controller 1 for retracting and controlling the ram air turbine system; the ram air turbine lock mechanism including: the recovery controller 1, an angle sensor 2, a position sensor 3, a recovery solenoid valve 4, and a power supply 5;

[0006] The ram air turbine 10 is supported on the support arm 13 by the turbine output shaft 11. A turbine locking pin 8 is installed at one end of the support arm 13 near the turbine output shaft 11. The ram air turbine 10 is locked by inserting the turbine locking pin 8 into the locking pin hole 12 of the turbine output shaft 11 of the ram air turbine 10.

[0007] Angle sensor 2 is installed at the pivot position of support arm 13 to monitor the rotation angle of support arm 13. Position sensor 3 is installed on the side of turbine locking pin 8 on support arm 13 to monitor the position of turbine locking pin 8. Recovery solenoid valve 4 is installed on the oil line at the inlet and outlet of the retraction actuator cylinder 14. Recovery controller 1 connected to recovery solenoid valve 4 is used to control the recovery of ram air turbine system by controlling the opening and closing of recovery solenoid valve 4.

[0008] The recovery controller 1 is used to automatically send a power-off command to the recovery solenoid valve 4 during the recovery process of the ram air turbine system when the turbine angle is incorrect, thereby terminating the recovery; when the turbine is in the correct position, the recovery solenoid valve 4 remains energized, and the ram air turbine system can complete the recovery.

[0009] Optionally, in the ram air turbine lock mechanism as described above,

[0010] The ram air turbine lock mechanism is used to control the ram air turbine system to perform the ram air turbine operation during the recovery operation. The recovery controller 1 controls the recovery solenoid valve 4 to be energized, so that the inner cavity of the recovery and release actuator cylinder 14 is connected to high pressure oil, thereby driving the ram air turbine system to perform the recovery operation.

[0011] Optionally, in the ram air turbine lock mechanism as described above,

[0012] The ram air turbine 10 is supported on a support arm 13 via a turbine output shaft 11, on which a locking pin hole 12 is designed. A turbine locking pin 8 is mounted on the support arm 13 via a flexible shaft 7, and a spring 9 is fitted onto the turbine locking pin 8. The upper end of the flexible shaft 7 is connected to a fixing ring 6 fitted onto the rotating shaft of the support arm 13. When the ram air turbine 10 is in the correct retraction position, during the ram air turbine system's retraction process, the turbine locking pin 8, under the action of the spring 9, inserts into the locking pin hole 12 on the shaft 11, at which point the ram air turbine 10 is locked. Conversely, when the ram air turbine 10 is in an incorrect retraction position, the turbine locking pin 8 cannot insert into the locking pin hole 12, and the ram air turbine 10 is not locked and can rotate freely.

[0013] Optionally, in the ram air turbine lock mechanism as described above,

[0014] An angle sensor 2 is installed on the shaft of the support arm 13 of the ram air turbine system. During the recovery process, the angle of the ram air turbine system is monitored by the rotation of the support arm 13, and the recovery angle signal is fed back to the recovery controller 1 in real time.

[0015] Optionally, in the ram air turbine lock mechanism as described above,

[0016] The position sensor 3, installed on the side of the turbine locking pin 8 of the ram air turbine system, is used to monitor the position of the turbine locking pin 8 during the recovery process and to feed back the turbine locking pin position signal to the recovery controller 1 in real time. When the turbine locking pin 8 is inserted into the locking pin hole 12, the turbine locking pin 8 triggers the position sensor 3 to feed back the turbine position locking signal to the recovery controller 1.

[0017] Optionally, in the ram air turbine lock mechanism as described above,

[0018] The recycling controller 1 is specifically used to send a recycling termination command to the recycling solenoid valve 4 based on the signals fed back by the angle sensor 2 and the position sensor 3 during the recycling process, through logical judgment.

[0019] Optionally, in the ram air turbine lock mechanism described above, the recovery controller 1 issues a command to terminate the recovery by logically determining whether to do so, including:

[0020] When the angle sensor 2 detects that the ram air turbine system recovery angle has reached the set angle, the recovery controller 1 determines whether to continue to maintain power supply to the recovery solenoid valve 4 based on the turbine lock pin position signal fed back by the position sensor 3. If the position sensor 3 does not detect the turbine position lock signal, the recovery controller 1 automatically sends a power-off command to the recovery solenoid valve 4, the retraction actuator 14 stops recovery, and the ram air turbine system recovery terminates. If the position sensor 3 detects the turbine position lock signal, the recovery solenoid valve 4 maintains power supply, and the ram air turbine system completes recovery.

[0021] Optionally, in the ram air turbine lock mechanism as described above,

[0022] The recycling controller 1 is equipped with a manual button. When the button is pressed, the recycling controller 1 is powered on by the power supply 5 and begins to supply power to the recycling solenoid valve 4. After the recycling solenoid valve 4 is energized, the retraction and release actuator 14 begins to recycle.

[0023] Beneficial effects of the present invention: The embodiments of the present invention provide a ram air turbine lock mechanism, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] 1. The ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention adopts an electrical automatic control scheme, which avoids mechanical failure of the mechanically stopped turbine lock mechanism and improves the reliability of the ram air turbine system;

[0025] 2. The ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention adopts an interlock design, which avoids mechanical failure caused by the turbine being retracted in an incorrect position; with this interlock design, no maintenance personnel intervention is required, and the implementation process is automatically judged, which improves the maintainability of the ram air turbine system;

[0026] 3. The ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention uses two sensors to monitor the angle and position separately, avoiding the use of mechanical stop structures and effectively reducing the weight of the system;

[0027] 4. The ram air turbine locking mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention avoids the use of mechanical stop structures, thus reducing the installation strength requirements of the ram air turbine system;

[0028] 5. The ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention adopts an integrated design scheme, which is compact and does not affect the system installation interface. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the technical solutions of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this application to explain the technical solutions of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment provides a schematic diagram of the application of the ram air turbine lock mechanism in a ram air turbine system;

[0032] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment shows a schematic diagram of the layout of the ram air turbine lock mechanism in the ram air turbine system.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0034] 1-Recovery controller, 2-Angle sensor, 3-Position sensor, 4-Recovery solenoid valve, 5-Power supply, 6-Fixing ring, 7-Flexible shaft, 8-Turbine locking pin, 9-Spring, 10-Impact air turbine, 11-Turbine output shaft, 12-Locking pin hole, 13-Support arm, 14-Retraction and extension actuator. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

[0036] As explained in the background section, interlocking turbine locks can effectively prevent retrieval failures at unintended locations, hence their widespread application. However, existing interlocking turbine locks all have mechanical stop structures, which are prone to mechanical failures during actual use, affecting the reliability and maintainability of the ram air turbine.

[0037] To address the problems of existing interlocking turbine locks, this invention proposes a ram air turbine lock mechanism. This turbine lock mechanism is a non-mechanically stopped mechanism, which can improve system reliability and maintainability.

[0038] The present invention provides the following specific embodiments, which can be combined with each other. For the same or similar concepts or processes, they may not be described again in some embodiments.

[0039] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment provides a schematic diagram of the application of the ram air turbine lock mechanism in a ram air turbine system. Figure 3 for Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment shows a schematic diagram of the layout of the ram air turbine lock mechanism in the ram air turbine system.

[0040] The ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention is configured in a ram air turbine system, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the ram air turbine system includes a ram air turbine 10 and a support arm 13 connected together, a retraction and extension actuator 14 connected to the support arm 13, and a recovery controller 1 for retracting and controlling the ram air turbine system.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention includes: a recovery controller 1, an angle sensor 2, a position sensor 3, a recovery solenoid valve 4, and a power supply 5.

[0042] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the structure of the ram air turbine system in this embodiment of the invention is as follows: the ram air turbine 10 is supported on the support arm 13 by the turbine output shaft 11. A turbine locking pin 8 is installed at one end of the support arm 13 near the turbine output shaft 11. The ram air turbine 10 is locked by inserting the turbine locking pin 8 into the locking pin hole 12 of the turbine output shaft 11 of the ram air turbine 10.

[0043] Additionally, angle sensor 2 is installed at the pivot position of support arm 13 to monitor the rotation angle of support arm 13, and position sensor 3 is installed on the side of turbine locking pin 8 on support arm 13 to monitor the position of turbine locking pin 8. Recovery solenoid valve 4 is installed on the inlet and outlet oil lines of the retraction actuator cylinder 14. Recovery controller 1, connected to recovery solenoid valve 4, controls the recovery of the ram air turbine system by controlling the opening and closing of recovery solenoid valve 4. During the recovery process of the ram air turbine system, recovery controller 1 can automatically send a power-off command to recovery solenoid valve 4 when the turbine angle is incorrect, terminating the recovery; when the turbine is in the correct position, recovery solenoid valve 4 remains energized, and the ram air turbine system can complete recovery.

[0044] Based on the structure of the ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in the above examples of the present invention, the structure of the ram air turbine system to which it is applied, and its installation position and installation form on the applied ram air turbine system, the ram air turbine lock mechanism in the embodiments of the present invention, during the retrieval operation, controls the retrieval solenoid valve 4 to be energized by the retrieval controller 1, so that high-pressure oil is connected to the inner cavity of the retrieval actuator cylinder 14, thereby driving the ram air turbine system to perform the retrieval action by the retrieval actuator cylinder 14.

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the specific structure of the ram air turbine system is as follows: the ram air turbine 10 is supported on the support arm 13 via a turbine output shaft 11, and a locking pin hole 12 is designed on the shaft 11; the turbine locking pin 8 is mounted on the support arm 13 via a flexible shaft 7, and a spring 9 is sleeved on the turbine locking pin 8; the upper end of the flexible shaft 7 is connected to a fixing ring 6 sleeved on the rotating shaft of the support arm 13; when the ram air turbine 10 is in the correct retraction position [i.e., 8 can be inserted into 12], during the ram air turbine system retraction process, the turbine locking pin 8 is inserted into the locking pin hole 12 on the shaft 11 under the action of the spring 9, at which time the ram air turbine 10 is locked. Conversely, when the ram air turbine 10 is in an incorrect retraction position, the turbine locking pin 8 cannot be inserted into the locking pin hole 12, the ram air turbine 10 is not locked, and can rotate freely.

[0046] It should be noted that in the ram air turbine lock mechanism of this embodiment of the invention, the function of the angle sensor 2 installed on the rotating shaft of the support arm 13 of the ram air turbine system is to monitor the recovery angle of the ram air turbine system through the rotation of the support arm 13 during the recovery process and to feed back the recovery angle signal to the recovery controller 1 in real time.

[0047] Furthermore, in the ram air turbine lock mechanism of this embodiment, the position sensor 3 installed on the side of the turbine lock pin 8 of the ram air turbine system functions as follows: monitoring the position of the turbine lock pin 8 during the recovery process and feeding back the turbine lock pin position signal to the recovery controller 1 in real time; when the turbine lock pin 8 is inserted into the lock pin hole 12, the turbine lock pin 8 triggers the position sensor 3 to feed back a turbine position locking signal to the recovery controller 1. In practical applications, the default is not inserted, i.e., an unlock signal.

[0048] In one implementation of the present invention, the recovery controller 1 in the ram air turbine lock mechanism is a ram air turbine system recovery command control unit, which is designed with a manual button. When the button is pressed, the recovery controller 1 connects to the power supply 5 and starts to supply power to the recovery solenoid valve 4. After the recovery solenoid valve is energized, the retraction actuator 14 starts to recover.

[0049] During the recycling process, the recycling controller 1 can send a command to the recycling solenoid valve 4 to terminate the recycling process based on the signals fed back by the angle sensor 2 and the position sensor 3.

[0050] In practice, when the angle sensor 2 detects that the ram air turbine system recovery angle has reached the set angle, the recovery controller 1 determines whether to continue to maintain the power supply to the recovery solenoid valve 4 based on the turbine locking pin position signal fed back by the position sensor 3. If the position sensor 3 does not detect the turbine position locking signal, it indicates that the turbine locking pin 8 has not locked the ram air turbine 10. At this time, the recovery controller 1 automatically sends a power-off command to the recovery solenoid valve 4, the retraction actuator 14 stops recovery, and the ram air turbine system recovery terminates. If the position sensor 3 detects the turbine position locking signal, the recovery solenoid valve 4 maintains power supply, and the ram air turbine system completes recovery.

[0051] The ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0052] 1. The ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention adopts an electrical automatic control scheme, which avoids mechanical failure of the mechanically stopped turbine lock mechanism and improves the reliability of the ram air turbine system;

[0053] 2. The ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention adopts an interlock design, which avoids mechanical failure caused by the turbine being retracted in an incorrect position; with this interlock design, no maintenance personnel intervention is required, and the implementation process is automatically judged, which improves the maintainability of the ram air turbine system;

[0054] 3. The ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention uses two sensors to monitor the angle and position separately, avoiding the use of mechanical stop structures and effectively reducing the weight of the system;

[0055] 4. The ram air turbine locking mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention avoids the use of mechanical stop structures, thus reducing the installation strength requirements of the ram air turbine system;

[0056] 5. The ram air turbine lock mechanism provided in this embodiment of the invention adopts an integrated design scheme, which is compact and does not affect the system installation interface.

[0057] While the embodiments disclosed in this invention are as described above, they are merely illustrative of the embodiments to facilitate understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains may make any modifications and variations in the form and details of the implementation without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein; however, the scope of patent protection for this invention shall still be determined by the scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ram air turbine lock mechanism, characterized in that, The ram air turbine lock mechanism is configured in the ram air turbine system, which includes a ram air turbine (10) and a support arm (13) connected to each other, a retraction actuator (14) connected to the support arm (13), and a recovery controller (1) for retracting control of the ram air turbine system; the ram air turbine lock mechanism includes: a recovery controller (1), an angle sensor (2), a position sensor (3), a recovery solenoid valve (4), and a power supply (5); The ram air turbine (10) is supported on the support arm (13) via the turbine output shaft (11). A turbine locking pin (8) is installed at one end of the support arm (13) near the turbine output shaft (11). The ram air turbine (10) is locked by inserting the turbine locking pin (8) into the locking pin hole (12) of the turbine output shaft (11) of the ram air turbine (10). An angle sensor (2) is installed at the pivot position of the support arm (13) to monitor the rotation angle of the support arm (13). A position sensor (3) is installed on the side of the turbine lock pin (8) on the support arm (13) to monitor the position of the turbine lock pin (8). A recovery solenoid valve (4) is installed on the oil line at the inlet and outlet of the retraction actuator (14). A recovery controller (1) connected to the recovery solenoid valve (4) is used to control the recovery of the ram air turbine system by controlling the opening and closing of the recovery solenoid valve (4). The recovery controller (1) is used to automatically send a power-off command to the recovery solenoid valve (4) during the recovery process of the ram air turbine system. When the turbine is in an incorrect recovery position, the recovery is terminated. When the turbine is in the correct recovery position, the controller sends a power-off command to the recovery solenoid valve (4) to terminate the recovery based on the signals fed back by the angle sensor (2) and the position sensor (3) through logical judgment. The command includes: when the angle sensor (2) detects that the recovery angle of the ram air turbine system reaches the set angle, that is, when the turbine is in the correct recovery position, the recovery controller (1) determines whether to continue to keep the recovery solenoid valve (4) powered based on the turbine locking pin position signal fed back by the position sensor (3); if the position sensor (3) does not detect the turbine position locking signal, the recovery controller (1) automatically sends a power-off command to the recovery solenoid valve (4), the retraction actuator (14) stops the recovery, and the ram air turbine system recovery is terminated; if the position sensor (3) detects the turbine position locking signal, the recovery solenoid valve (4) keeps powered, and the ram air turbine system recovery is completed. The ram air turbine (10) is supported on the support arm (13) via the turbine output shaft (11), and the turbine output shaft (11) is designed with a locking pin hole (12). The turbine locking pin (8) is installed on the support arm (13) via a flexible shaft (7), and a spring (9) is sleeved on the turbine locking pin (8). The upper end of the flexible shaft (7) is connected to a fixing ring (6) sleeved on the rotating shaft of the support arm (13). When the ram air turbine (10) is in the correct retraction position, that is, the turbine locking pin (8) can be inserted into the locking pin hole (12), during the ram air turbine system retraction process, the turbine locking pin (8) is inserted into the locking pin hole (12) on the turbine output shaft (11) under the action of the spring (9), and the ram air turbine (10) is locked at this time. Conversely, when the ram air turbine (10) is in an incorrect retraction position, the turbine locking pin (8) cannot be inserted into the locking pin hole (12), the ram air turbine (10) is not locked, and can rotate freely.

2. The ram air turbine lock mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ram air turbine lock mechanism is used to control the ram air turbine system to perform the ram air turbine operation during the ram air turbine operation. The ram air turbine system is powered by the ram air turbine controller (1) to make the ram air turbine valve (4) connected to high pressure oil in the cavity of the ram air turbine actuator (14). The ram air turbine actuator (14) drives the ram air turbine system to perform the ram air turbine operation.

3. The ram air turbine lock mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, An angle sensor (2) installed on the shaft of the support arm (13) of the ram air turbine system is used to monitor the recovery angle of the ram air turbine system by rotating the support arm (13) during the recovery process and to feed back the recovery angle signal to the recovery controller (1) in real time.

4. The ram air turbine lock mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, A position sensor (3) installed on the side of the turbine lock pin (8) of the ram air turbine system is used to monitor the position of the turbine lock pin (8) during the recovery process and to feed back the turbine lock pin position signal to the recovery controller (1) in real time. When the turbine lock pin (8) is inserted into the lock pin hole (12), the turbine lock pin (8) triggers the position sensor (3) to feed back the turbine position locking signal to the recovery controller (1).

5. The ram air turbine lock mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The recycling controller (1) is equipped with a manual button. When the button is pressed, the recycling controller (1) is powered on (5) and begins to supply power to the recycling solenoid valve (4). After the recycling solenoid valve (4) is powered on, the retraction actuator (14) begins to recycle.

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