A locking mechanism for a retractable actuator cylinder for a ram air turbine and the retractable actuator cylinder itself.

Abstract

This invention proposes a locking mechanism for a retractable actuator cylinder used in a ram air turbine, and the retractable actuator cylinder itself. It includes upper and lower locking mechanisms for the retractable actuator cylinder and a triggering mechanism. The triggering mechanism is located at the tail end of the retractable actuator cylinder and is connected to a locking piston within the upper and lower locking mechanisms. When unlocking is required, the triggering mechanism pulls the locking piston axially for a certain stroke, ensuring the retractable actuator cylinder is unlocked and fully extended, thus allowing the ram air turbine to enter the working position. When retraction and locking are required, the retractable actuator cylinder is hydraulically driven to position the upper and lower locking mechanisms in the upper locked position, while the triggering mechanism automatically resets to the locked state. This invention features a compact design, enabling the retractable actuator cylinder to be unlocked with less driving force, making it easier for the ram air turbine to extend to the working position. The reduced unlocking driving force can be provided by a smaller-sized extension electromagnet, thereby reducing the installation space and weight of the ram air turbine on the machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to, but is not limited to, the field of aircraft emergency power system technology, and particularly to a locking mechanism for a retractable actuator cylinder of a ram air turbine. Background Technology

[0002] The ram air turbine system (RAT) is an emergency device for aircraft. In an emergency, the RAT deploys from the cabin, converting the kinetic energy of ram air into hydraulic and / or electrical energy to provide emergency power to the aircraft. The retraction actuator, acting as the RAT's deployment and retraction mechanism, is normally in a retracted and locked state. In an emergency, the aircraft sends an deployment signal to the RAT, causing it to spring out under preload, pushing the RAT to its working position. After landing, the RAT is retracted into the cabin via an onboard hydraulic system and locked in its upper position. Figure 2 The diagram shows a typical upper-position lock structure for a retractable actuator cylinder in the prior art. Traditional RAT retractable actuator cylinder lock mechanisms are typically large in size and consist of multiple linkages. When unlocking, they need to overcome significant resistance, requiring the unfolding electromagnet to have a large driving force. This necessitates a larger unfolding electromagnet and higher power consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a clever locking mechanism for the retractable actuator cylinder of a ram air turbine, which unlocks the RAT retractable actuator cylinder with minimal unlocking driving force, allowing the RAT to enter the working position more quickly. This reduces the size of the deploying electromagnet and the power consumption, while the compact structure allows the RAT retractable actuator cylinder to have a smaller circumferential size.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: a locking mechanism for a retractable actuator cylinder of a ram air turbine, the locking mechanism comprising an upper and lower locking mechanism for the retractable actuator cylinder and a triggering mechanism; the triggering mechanism is disposed at the tail end of the retractable actuator cylinder and connected to the locking piston in the upper and lower locking mechanism of the retractable actuator cylinder; when unlocking is required, the triggering mechanism pulls the locking piston to move axially for a certain stroke to ensure that the retractable actuator cylinder is unlocked and unfolded into place, thereby allowing the ram air turbine to enter the working position; when retraction and locking are required, the retractable actuator cylinder is hydraulically driven to place the upper and lower locking mechanism in the upper locked position, while the triggering mechanism automatically resets to the locked state.

[0005] Furthermore, the triggering mechanism includes an unfolding electromagnet, a hook, an unfolding control rod, a rotating shaft, a torsion spring, a V-shaped locking block, a roller, and a cylindrical pin. The V-shaped locking block is installed inside the retraction actuator housing via the rotating shaft and can rotate circumferentially around a fixed rotating shaft. The unfolding control rod passes through the V-shaped locking block and is driven by the hook of the unfolding electromagnet during unlocking. One end of the torsion spring passes through the rotating shaft and is limited by the side protrusion of the V-shaped locking block, while the other end is inserted into the torsion spring positioning hole in the inner wall of the housing for limitation. When the locking mechanism is locked, the locking piston is driven by the preload spring to move the roller to the right and press against the side of the V-shaped locking block, while the other side protrusion of the V-shaped locking block is blocked by the housing. At the limit position, the mechanism reaches equilibrium. When unlocking, the unfolding electromagnet is energized, the hook is attracted, and the unfolding control lever moves, causing the V-shaped locking block to overcome the rolling friction with the roller and rotate counterclockwise around the axis. At this time, the roller contacts the inner arc surface of the V-shaped locking block, and the arc surface, under force, causes the V-shaped block to continue rotating counterclockwise until the roller simultaneously contacts the two symmetrical inner surfaces of the V-shaped locking block. At this point, the V-shaped locking block is in equilibrium and stops rotating. Because the locking piston drives the cylindrical roller to move a certain displacement to the right, the upper locking pin loses its support and is driven by the inner cylinder to retract into the piston head, the upper lock is released, and the retraction and extension actuator cylinder unfolds.

[0006] Furthermore, the opening size of the V-shaped locking block is determined by the axial movement stroke of the locking piston.

[0007] Furthermore, one side of the V-shaped locking block passes through the drive deployment control rod, and deployment electromagnets are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the V-shaped locking block.

[0008] Furthermore, the locking limiting surface of the square boss of the V-shaped locking block is limited by the shell wall, forming a force balance and creating a locked state.

[0009] Furthermore, in the unlocked state, the displacement difference of the lock piston caused by the contact between the locking roller and the V-shaped lock block on different arc surfaces causes the upper lock assembly to lose the support of the cylindrical roller and retract inward, thus unfolding the retraction and extension actuator cylinder.

[0010] Furthermore, the V-shaped opening of the V-shaped locking block has an arc-shaped surface structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the piston end has a notch that engages with a rotating pin for mounting rollers.

[0012] Working Principle: The V-shaped locking block of the locking mechanism forms a rotating pair structure with the rotating shaft. When locked, the outer surface of the V-shaped locking block contacts the roller, and the locking limiting surface of the square boss of the V-shaped locking block is limited by the housing wall, forming a force balance and achieving the locked state. When unlocking, the unfolding electromagnet is energized, the hook is attracted and driven through the unfolding control rod of the V-shaped locking block, causing the V-shaped locking block to rotate counterclockwise around the rotating shaft against the resistance of the torsion spring. At this time, the inner V-shaped arc surface contacts the roller, forming a force balance and achieving the unlocked state. The displacement difference of the locking piston caused by the different arc surfaces of the roller and the V-shaped locking block in the unlocked and locked states causes the upper locking assembly to lose the support of the cylindrical roller and retract inward, thus unfolding the retraction and extension actuation cylinder.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention can unlock and retract the actuator cylinder with a smaller driving force, thereby making it easier for the ram air turbine to unfold to the working position. The smaller unlocking driving force can be provided by a smaller unfolding electromagnet. At the same time, the compact mechanism structure can be adapted to a smaller housing, thereby reducing the circumferential dimension of the housing end of the retractable actuator cylinder, and thus reducing the installation space and weight of the ram air turbine retractable actuator cylinder on the machine. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the locking position structure of a typical upper-level lock on a retractable actuator cylinder.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lower locking position structure after the typical actuator cylinder is deployed;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking mechanism for the retractable actuator cylinder of the present invention:

[0017] Among them, 1-locking piston, 2-deployment electromagnet, 3-hook, 4-deployment control lever, 5-rotating shaft, 6-torsion spring, 7-V-locking block, 8-roller, 9-cylindrical pin.

[0018] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the unlocking process of the lock mechanism;

[0019] Wherein, a-locked state, b-unlocking moment action diagram, c-unlocked unfolded state, 10-shell wall, 11-torsion spring positioning hole;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the piston stroke difference.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the upper locking pin after the locking piston moves.

[0022] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of V-shaped locking block structure:

[0023] Among them, 12-outer arc surface, 13-inner V-shaped arc surface, 14-locking and limiting surface. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. (See attached drawings for details.) Figure 1-7 As shown, this invention specifically designs a locking mechanism for the retraction and extension actuator of a ram air turbine (RAT). The locking mechanism includes an extension electromagnet 2, a hook 3, a locking piston 1, a roller 8, a cylindrical pin 9, a V-shaped locking block 7, an extension control rod 4, a rotating shaft 5, and a torsion spring 6. The V-shaped locking block 7 is installed inside the retraction and extension actuator housing via the rotating shaft 5 and can rotate circumferentially around the shaft 5. The extension control rod 4 passes through the V-shaped locking block 7 and is driven by the extension electromagnet 2 and hook 3 during unlocking. The torsion spring 6 passes through the rotating shaft 5 and is limited by the side boss of the V-shaped locking block 7; its other end is inserted into the torsion spring positioning hole 11 on the housing wall 10 for further limitation. When the locking mechanism is locked, the locking piston 1 is pre-loaded. The compression spring drives the roller 8 to press against the side of the V-shaped locking block 7 to the right, while the protrusion on the other side of the V-shaped locking block 7 is limited by the housing wall 10. At this time, the mechanism is balanced. When unlocking, the unfolding electromagnet is energized, the hook 3 is attracted, and the unfolding control rod 4 is driven to move, causing the V-shaped locking block 7 to overcome the rolling friction with the roller 8 and rotate counterclockwise around the rotating shaft 5. At this time, the roller 8 contacts the inner arc surface of the V-shaped locking block 7, and the arc surface, after being subjected to force, causes the V-shaped to continue to rotate counterclockwise until the roller 8 simultaneously contacts the two symmetrical inner surfaces of the V-shaped locking block 7. At this time, the V-shaped locking block 7 is in equilibrium and stops rotating. Since the locking piston 1 drives the cylindrical roller to move a certain displacement to the right, the upper locking pin loses its support and is driven by the inner cylinder to retract into the piston head. The upper lock is released, and the retraction and extension actuator cylinder unfolds. This invention enables the unlocking and retraction of the actuator cylinder with a smaller driving force, making it easier for the ram air turbine to unfold to the working position. The smaller unlocking driving force can be provided by a smaller unfolding electromagnet, and the compact mechanism structure can be adapted to a smaller housing, thereby reducing the circumferential dimension of the housing end of the retraction actuator cylinder, and thus reducing the installation space and weight of the ram air turbine on the machine.

[0025] In the structure designed above, the unfolding control rod 4 passes through the V-shaped locking block 7 and is driven by the unfolding electromagnet hook 3 when unlocking. The V-shaped locking block 7 can rotate around the rotating shaft 5, overcoming the resistance of the torsion spring 6 to form a rotary pair mechanism. The roller 8 is installed on the head of the locking piston 1 through the cylindrical pin 9, forming a rolling pair with the arc surface of the V-shaped locking block 7.

[0026] In terms of the specific design structure, the locking surface of the V-shaped locking block 7 is composed of the outer arc surface 12 and the inner V-shaped arc surface 13. When the locking mechanism is locked, the roller 8 contacts the outer arc surface 12, and the locking limiting surface 14 is limited by the housing wall 10 to form a balance mechanism.

[0027] The locking mechanism designed above can be widely used in retractable actuators. One typical feasible application is the use of a retractable actuator equipped with a locking mechanism in a ram air turbine. This allows the retractable actuator to be unlocked with less driving force, making it easier for the ram air turbine to extend to the working position. The smaller unlocking driving force can be provided by a smaller-sized deployment electromagnet. At the same time, the compact mechanism structure can be adapted to a smaller-sized housing, thereby reducing the circumferential dimension of the housing end of the retractable actuator, and thus reducing the installation space and weight of the ram air turbine retractable actuator on the machine.

[0028] The invention will be further explained below in conjunction with its specific working principle. When the lock mechanism is unlocked, the electromagnet hook 3 is deployed to drive the deployment control rod 4, which in turn drives the V-shaped lock block 7 to rotate around the rotating shaft 5. After rotating a certain distance, the roller 8 leaves the outer arc surface 12 of the V-shaped lock block 7 and contacts the inner V-shaped arc surface 13 until the V-shaped arc surface 13 and the roller 8 are in force balance. At this time, the lock piston 1 also forms a balance mechanism with the V-shaped lock block 7. Since the lock piston has moved a certain stroke, the upper lock pin loses the support of the cylindrical roller. The inner cylinder is driven by the pre-compression spring force to press the upper lock pin into the piston head, thereby unfolding the actuating cylinder and achieving the unlocked state.

[0029] The stroke difference of the lock piston from the retracted locked state to the unlocked state is ΔS; that is, the stroke difference of the lock piston from the outer arc surface 12 of the V-shaped lock block to the inner V-shaped arc surface 13.

[0030] When the locking piston moves △S to the right, it drives the cylindrical roller to move △S to the right as well. At this time, the bottom plane of the upper locking pin loses support. Because the upper locking pin is in contact with the inner cylinder through the inclined surface when the actuator cylinder is locked, when the upper locking pin loses vertical support, it will be squeezed into the piston head by the inclined surface of the inner cylinder orifice. This causes the inner cylinder to move to the left under the drive of the compression spring outside the actuator cylinder. At this time, the upper locking pin will completely enter the inner hole of the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder continues to move to the left under the drive of the spring until it is limited by the tail of the piston head. At this time, the retractable actuator cylinder reaches the unfolded lower locking state.

[0031] The above specific embodiments or examples are only used to explain the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present application. Parts not described in detail are considered to be conventional technical means or common knowledge in the field. Those skilled in the art should understand that, based on the design concept of the present application, it is possible to make adaptive modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or to make equivalent substitutions for some or all of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for a retractable actuator cylinder of a ram air turbine, characterized in that, The locking mechanism includes an upper and lower locking mechanism for the retractable actuator and a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism is located at the tail end of the retractable actuator and is connected to the locking piston in the upper and lower locking mechanism. When unlocking is required, the trigger mechanism pulls the locking piston axially for a certain stroke to ensure that the retractable actuator is unlocked and unfolded into place, thereby allowing the ram air turbine to enter the working position. When retraction and locking are required, the retractable actuator is hydraulically driven to place the upper and lower locking mechanism in the upper locked position, while the trigger mechanism automatically resets to the locked state. The triggering mechanism includes an unfolding electromagnet, a hook, an unfolding control rod, a rotating shaft, a torsion spring, a V-shaped locking block, a roller, and a cylindrical pin. The V-shaped locking block is installed inside the retraction actuator housing via the rotating shaft and can rotate circumferentially around a fixed rotating shaft. The unfolding control rod passes through the V-shaped locking block and is driven by the hook of the unfolding electromagnet during unlocking. One end of the torsion spring passes through the rotating shaft and is limited by the side boss of the V-shaped locking block, while the other end is inserted into the torsion spring positioning hole in the inner wall of the housing for limitation. When the locking mechanism is locked, the locking piston is driven by the preload spring to move the roller to the right to abut against the side of the V-shaped locking block, while the other side boss of the V-shaped locking block is limited by the housing. At this point, the mechanism reaches equilibrium. When unlocking, the electromagnet is energized, the hook is attracted, and the unfolding control lever moves, causing the V-shaped locking block to overcome the rolling friction with the roller and rotate counterclockwise around the axis. At this time, the roller contacts the inner arc surface of the V-shaped locking block, and the arc surface, under force, causes the V-shaped block to continue rotating counterclockwise until the roller simultaneously contacts the two symmetrical inner surfaces of the V-shaped locking block. At this point, the V-shaped locking block is in equilibrium and stops rotating. Because the locking piston drives the cylindrical roller to move a certain displacement to the right, the upper locking pin loses its support and is driven by the inner cylinder to retract into the piston head, the upper lock is released, and the retraction actuator cylinder unfolds.

2. The locking mechanism for the retractable actuator cylinder of a ram air turbine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The opening size of the V-shaped locking block is determined by the axial movement stroke of the locking piston.

3. The locking mechanism for the retractable actuator cylinder of a ram air turbine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, One side of the V-shaped locking block passes through the drive deployment control rod, and deployment electromagnets are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the V-shaped locking block.

4. The locking mechanism for the retractable actuator cylinder of the ram air turbine as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The locking and limiting surface of the square boss of the V-shaped locking block is limited by the shell wall, forming a force balance and creating a locked state.

5. The locking mechanism for the retractable actuator cylinder of a ram air turbine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The piston end has a notch, which works with a rotating pin to install a roller.

6. The locking mechanism for the retractable actuator cylinder of a ram air turbine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In the unlocked state, the displacement difference of the lock piston caused by the contact between the locking roller and the V-shaped lock block on different arc surfaces causes the upper lock assembly to lose the support of the cylindrical roller and retract inward, thus unfolding the retraction and extension actuator cylinder.

7. The locking mechanism for the retractable actuator cylinder of a ram air turbine as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The V-shaped opening of the V-shaped locking block has an arc-shaped surface structure.

8. A retractable actuator cylinder, characterized in that, The retraction actuator is used in conjunction with the locking mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A retractable actuator cylinder as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The retraction and extension actuator is used on the ram air turbine.

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