Lift bracket for ram air turbine

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of lifting bracket of stamping air turbine, comprising: balance bar assembly (1), one end is connected for stamping air turbine;Supporting mechanism, between the one end and the other end of balance bar assembly is configured, and it is configured to support balance bar assembly from the lower of balance bar assembly can swing up and down around supporting mechanism;Clamping assembly (4), set in one end of balance bar assembly (1), for clamping stamping air turbine (5);And counterweight assembly (3), set in the other end of balance bar assembly (1), for the height of the stamping air turbine (5) clamped by clamping assembly (4) is adjusted, supporting mechanism includes: rotating shaft, along vertical direction is arranged in the lower part of balance bar assembly (1);And turnover adjusting mechanism (2), set in the lower part of balance bar assembly (1), for adjusting the turnover angle of balance bar assembly (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a lifting bracket for a ram air turbine, belonging to the field of aerospace technology. Specifically, this utility model relates to a special auxiliary device for the installation and removal of aircraft ram air turbines. Background Technology

[0002] As a core component of an aircraft's emergency power system, the ram air turbine (RAT) must deploy quickly and reliably in the event of a main hydraulic or power failure, providing crucial assurance for flight safety. Currently, ram air turbines are generally installed using a three-point integrated bracket structure directly connected to the fuselage. This method achieves basic support through rigid fixing, but it has significant technical limitations.

[0003] Existing technologies primarily achieve the installation and disassembly of ram air turbines through multi-bolt coordinated fastening and manual positioning adjustments. Specifically, a three-point rigid connection structure is employed, connecting the turbine to pre-embedded parts in the fuselage via fixing holes on the bracket, relying on manual positioning and bolt tightening using traditional tools. Some solutions also utilize simple hoisting equipment for assisted handling and employ mechanical limit devices for coarse-grained attitude adjustments. While these methods achieve basic installation functions, they are essentially passive mechanical fixing methods.

[0004] Current technology suffers from the following drawbacks. First, the three-point support structure is complex, requiring multiple people to work together during installation, which is time-consuming and leads to low maintenance efficiency. Second, existing supports lack precision adjustment capabilities, making it impossible to fine-tune the installation posture of the ram air turbine, which can easily lead to docking deviations and affect equipment reliability. Finally, relying on manual handling and simple mechanical assistance poses a risk of loss of center of gravity, easily causing equipment collisions or personnel injuries, resulting in low operational safety. These problems severely restrict the rapid deployment and reliable operation of ram air turbines.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a special lifting bracket with precise adjustment capabilities, easy operation, and high safety to solve the fundamental defects of existing installation methods in terms of processability, maintainability, and safety. This is the core purpose of this utility model. Utility Model Content

[0006] This utility model was developed in view of the above-mentioned problems. Its purpose is to overcome the problems of complex structure, insufficient adjustment capacity and high operation risk of existing three-point support structures, and to provide a special lifting bracket structure. This utility model will realize precise control of the installation process, simplify operation and improve safety, thereby meeting the urgent needs of the aviation field for efficient maintenance and reliable operation.

[0007] This utility model provides a lifting bracket for a ram air turbine, which includes:

[0008] A stabilizer bar assembly, one end of which is connected to the ram air turbine;

[0009] A support mechanism is disposed between one end and the other end of the balance bar assembly and is configured to support the balance bar assembly from below, allowing it to swing up and down about the support mechanism.

[0010] A clamping assembly, disposed at one end of the balance bar assembly, for clamping the ram air turbine; and

[0011] A counterweight assembly, disposed at the other end of the balance bar assembly, is used to adjust the height of the ram air turbine clamped by the clamping assembly, wherein...

[0012] The support mechanism includes:

[0013] A rotating shaft, which is vertically disposed at the lower part of the balance bar assembly; and

[0014] A flip adjustment mechanism is provided at the lower part of the balance bar assembly and is used to adjust the flip angle of the balance bar assembly.

[0015] The stabilizer bar assembly is based on the lever principle. The first end supports the weight of the ram air turbine, while the second end provides a counter-torque via a counterweight assembly, achieving force balance. The vertically oriented rotation axis allows the stabilizer bar assembly to rotate in the horizontal plane, providing a degree of freedom for orientation adjustment. A tilting adjustment mechanism adjusts the tilting angle of the stabilizer bar assembly, enabling vertical adjustment of the ram air turbine's attitude. This lever-balancing principle significantly reduces the manual input required to operate the ram air turbine, improving the efficiency and safety of installation and disassembly processes. The rotation axis and tilting adjustment mechanism together provide multi-degree-of-freedom motion control, allowing the ram air turbine to be precisely aligned with the aircraft mounting point, reducing adjustment time and avoiding installation errors. The overall structure simplifies the maintenance process, improving manufacturability and maintainability.

[0016] In another embodiment of the lifting bracket of the ram air turbine of this utility model, the flipping adjustment mechanism includes an upper mounting panel and a lower mounting panel, one end of the upper mounting panel and the first end of the lower mounting panel are rotatably hinged together.

[0017] The articulated connection is a low-friction rotary joint that allows the upper and lower mounting panels to rotate relative to each other around the hinge point, thereby changing the tilt angle of the stabilizer bar assembly. The articulated design provides a stable axis of rotation, ensuring linearity and reliability in angle adjustments. The articulated structure enables smooth and controllable angle changes, reducing energy loss and mechanical wear during adjustment. This enhances the durability and precision of the tilt adjustment mechanism, making ram air turbine attitude adjustments more stable and repeatable, suitable for frequent maintenance operations.

[0018] In another embodiment of the lifting bracket for the ram air turbine of this utility model, the tilting adjustment mechanism further includes an adjusting bolt for adjusting the angle between the upper mounting panel and the lower mounting panel. Preferably, the end of the adjusting bolt is also provided with an adjusting handle, which allows the operator to easily rotate the adjusting bolt to adjust the angle between the upper mounting panel and the lower mounting panel by rotating the adjusting handle.

[0019] The adjusting bolt is a threaded mechanism that uses the tightening of the nut to create linear displacement, thereby pushing or pulling the mounting panel to change its relative angle. The thread provides a self-locking characteristic, preventing accidental angle changes and ensuring the adjusted position remains stable. Threaded adjustment enables precise control of the tilting adjustment mechanism's angle, allowing operators to make fine adjustments to accurately match the installation requirements of the ram air turbine. The self-locking feature eliminates the risk of loosening due to vibration or load, improving system reliability and safety, and making it suitable for high-precision installation environments.

[0020] Preferably, the clamping assembly is a clamping assembly.

[0021] In another embodiment of the lifting bracket of the ram air turbine of this utility model, the clamp assembly includes two semi-circular clamping members, which are fixed together by a connector.

[0022] The clamp assembly is a ring-shaped clamping device that provides uniform radial clamping force by surrounding the ram air turbine. The clamp structure enhances clamping stability and safety, preventing the ram air turbine from slipping or rotating during lifting. The uniform force distribution reduces the risk of surface deformation, making it suitable for fragile or precision components and improving installation reliability. The adjustable clamping range enhances the versatility and adaptability of the device, handling various sizes of ram air turbines. The connector provides a reliable mechanical lock, ensuring continuous and effective clamping force, reducing adjustments during maintenance, and improving operational efficiency.

[0023] Preferably, a buffer pad is provided on the inner side of the clamp assembly. The buffer pad is made of an elastic material, such as rubber or polyurethane, and has high damping characteristics, absorbing vibration and impact energy, and enhancing the clamping force by increasing the coefficient of friction. The material selection is based on its compression resistance and wear resistance. The buffer pad reduces the dynamic load during clamping, protecting the surface of the ram air turbine from scratches or deformation. Simultaneously, it increases the static friction of the clamping, preventing relative displacement of the object during movement, thus enhancing overall safety and equipment lifespan.

[0024] In another embodiment of the lifting bracket for the ram air turbine of this invention, the balance bar assembly is rotatable around the rotation axis. The rotation axis serves as a fixed fulcrum, allowing the balance bar assembly to rotate 360 ​​degrees in the horizontal plane. Low-resistance movement is achieved based on bearings or sliding mechanisms, enabling operators to easily adjust its orientation.

[0025] In another embodiment of the lifting bracket for the ram air turbine of this invention, the counterweight assembly includes one or more weights. By adding or removing weights, the total mass of the counterweight assembly can be adjusted, thereby changing the balance point of the lever system. The adjustable counterweight allows for precise matching of the weight of the ram air turbine, ensuring the lever system is always in a balanced state, making operation effortless and stable. This design adapts to weight variations of different ram air turbine models, improving the flexibility and versatility of the device.

[0026] In another embodiment of the ram air turbine lifting bracket of this utility model, a movable device is also included, through which the lifting bracket of the ram air turbine can move freely on the ground. The movable device typically includes wheels, casters, or a sliding mechanism, reducing movement resistance based on the principle of rolling friction. The casters may have a locking mechanism to ensure the stability of the bracket when it is in a fixed position. The mobility function enhances the portability of the device, allowing the ram air turbine to be easily transported to the working position. The locking mechanism provides stability during operation, prevents accidental movement, and improves safety and operational efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings are only used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of this specification. They are used to explain the principles of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0028] In the diagram:

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the lifting bracket for the ram air turbine according to this utility model; and

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the ram air turbine mounted on the lifting bracket of the ram air turbine according to the present invention.

[0031] List of reference numerals

[0032] 1. Stabilizer bar assembly

[0033] 11. Stabilizer Bar Assembly Installation Section

[0034] 2. Flip Adjustment Mechanism

[0035] 21 Upper mounting panel

[0036] 22 Lower mounting panel

[0037] 23 Adjustment handle

[0038] 24 Adjusting Bolt

[0039] 25 Base Mounting Section

[0040] 3 counterweight components

[0041] 31 weights

[0042] 4 clamping components

[0043] 5-ram air turbine Detailed Implementation

[0044] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0045] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate for the embodiments of this application described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, for example, that a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units must precede those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0046] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate directions or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated devices, elements, or components to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0047] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in certain circumstances to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0048] Furthermore, the terms "installation," "setting," "arrangement," "equipped with," "connection," "linking," and "socketing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediary medium, or an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances. Some technical terms used in this utility model will be described below.

[0049] Ram air turbine (RAT): An emergency aircraft device, typically installed on aircraft, used to generate emergency power and hydraulic support by driving a turbine with ram air when the aircraft loses its main hydraulic or power supply. The ram air turbine is the object of this invention and needs to be supported and positioned during installation and disassembly.

[0050] Balance bar assembly: A lever-type structure having a first end and a second end. The first end is used to connect a clamping assembly to secure the ram air turbine, and the second end is used to connect a counterweight assembly. Utilizing the lever principle, this assembly allows the operator to manually adjust the weight balance of the ram air turbine and achieve rotation about a rotation axis.

[0051] Rotating axis: A mechanical axis positioned vertically around which the balance bar assembly can rotate. This rotating axis provides the lifting device with a degree of rotational freedom about a vertical axis, allowing the ram air turbine to be oriented horizontally for easy alignment during installation.

[0052] X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis: In this invention, referring to the typical mounting direction of a ram air turbine, such as... Figure 1The Y-axis refers to the axis that extends approximately along the direction of the balance bar assembly 1; the Z-axis refers to a vertical axis that is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the ground, i.e., the axis of rotation where the lifting bracket is placed; the X-axis is perpendicular to the Y-axis and the Z-axis.

[0053] In this invention, flipping around the X-axis refers to tilt adjustment in a vertical plane, which is achieved by a balance bar assembly; flipping around the Y-axis refers to tilt adjustment in another vertical plane, which is achieved by a flipping adjustment mechanism.

[0054] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. To make the solution of this utility model clearer, the utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0055] This utility model discloses a ram air turbine lifting bracket, a specialized auxiliary device used for the safe and efficient installation and removal of ram air turbines (RATs) during aircraft maintenance. A ram air turbine is an emergency aircraft device, typically installed on aircraft, used to generate emergency power and hydraulic support by driving a turbine with ram air when the aircraft loses its main hydraulic or power supply. The ram air turbine is the object of this utility model and requires support and positioning during installation and removal.

[0056] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the lifting bracket adopts a modular design, including a balance bar assembly 1, a clamping assembly 4, a counterweight assembly 3, a rotating shaft, and a tilting adjustment mechanism 2. The balance bar assembly 1 is the core load-bearing structure of the lifting bracket, designed using the lever principle. It is a long rod-shaped structure with a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly connected to the clamping assembly 4 to support the ram air turbine 5, and the second end is connected to the counterweight assembly 3 to provide a balancing torque. A balance bar assembly mounting part 11 is also provided in the middle of the balance bar assembly 1, providing a stable rotation fulcrum. The clamping assembly 4 adopts a clamp-type structure and is installed at the first end of the balance bar assembly 1. The clamping assembly 4 includes two semi-circular clamping parts made of stainless steel. The two clamping parts are connected by high-strength bolts to form a complete ring structure. Rubber cushioning pads are evenly applied to the inner side of the clamping parts, protecting the surface of the ram air turbine 5, increasing the coefficient of friction, reducing vibration, and providing a more uniform clamping force. The counterweight assembly 3 is located at the second end of the balance bar assembly 1 and consists of multiple standardized weights 31. The operator can adjust the counterweight assembly 3 by adding or removing weights 31, i.e., by using different combinations of weights, thereby achieving fine-tuning of the height of the second end of the balance bar assembly 1. The weights 31 are installed in a stacked manner, with a guide rod at the center to ensure accurate positioning. The total weight of the counterweight can be precisely matched according to the actual weight of the ram air turbine 5 to achieve the optimal balance of the system. The rotating shaft is set vertically at the lower part of the balance bar assembly 1, allowing the balance bar assembly 1 to rotate freely within a 360-degree range in the horizontal plane around the rotating shaft.

[0057] A tilting adjustment mechanism 2 is located at the lower part of the balance bar assembly 1 and is used to adjust the tilting angle of the ram air turbine 5 around the Y-axis. This mechanism includes an upper mounting panel 21, a lower mounting panel 22, and an adjusting bolt 24. The upper mounting panel 21 is fixedly connected to the balance bar assembly 1, and the lower mounting panel 22 is fixedly connected to the base frame. The upper mounting panel 21 and the lower mounting panel 22 are connected by a hinge shaft. The adjusting bolt 24 uses threaded drive; by rotating the adjusting bolt 24, the included angle between the two panels is changed, achieving fine-tuning of the angle. Specifically, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, the end of the adjusting bolt 24 is also provided with an adjusting handle 23. When the adjusting handle 23 is rotated, the adjusting screw can be rotated in one piece, which makes it convenient for the operator to adjust the angle between the upper mounting panel 21 and the lower mounting panel 22 with little effort.

[0058] In another embodiment of this invention, the lifting bracket further includes a movable device (not shown), such as casters or wheels, mounted on the bottom of the lifting bracket, allowing the entire device to move freely on the ground. This facilitates the transport of the ram air turbine 5 to different locations, improving operational efficiency.

[0059] In some embodiments of the lifting bracket of this utility model, the clamping component 4 may also take other forms, such as a three-jaw chuck structure or a gripping device with a locking mechanism.

[0060] In some embodiments of the lifting bracket of this utility model, the counterweight component 3 can be replaced by a hydraulic balancing system instead of a standardized weight 31, and weight balance can be achieved by adjusting the hydraulic pressure.

[0061] In some embodiments of the lifting bracket of this utility model, the flipping adjustment mechanism 2 can be replaced by an electric push rod instead of a manually operated adjusting bolt 24 to achieve more precise angle adjustment.

[0062] Preferably, such as Figure 2 As shown, the lifting bracket of this utility model also includes a base mounting part 25, through which the main body of the lifting bracket can be detachably connected to the movable device.

[0063] The following is a brief description of the use of the lifting bracket of this utility model.

[0064] During the preparation phase, the operator first moves the lifting bracket to the designated working area using the swivel casters of the movable device and locks the caster brake mechanism to prevent the device from shifting. Then, an integrity check is performed on the balance bar assembly 1, the clamp assembly, and the tilting adjustment mechanism 2 to confirm that all connecting parts are secure, and in particular, to verify that the buffer pad inside the clamp assembly is not detached or worn.

[0065] Secure the ram air turbine 5 and adjust its balance. Hoist the ram air turbine 5 to the working position of the clamp assembly, ensuring that the annular structure formed by the two semi-circular clamping members completely covers the outer shell of the ram air turbine 5. Connect the two clamping members with high-strength bolts, ensuring that the clamp notch is precisely aligned with the heading reference line of the ram air turbine 5 during tightening. Install standardized weights 31 on the counterweight hanging rod at the second end of the balance bar assembly 1. By increasing or decreasing the number of weights 31, the balance bar assembly 1 is brought to a horizontal equilibrium state. At this point, the torque generated by the counterweight assembly 3 precisely cancels out the gravitational torque of the ram air turbine 5.

[0066] The spatial position of the lifting bracket of this utility model is adjusted to adjust the spatial positioning and attitude of the ram air turbine 5. The operator pushes the balance bar assembly 1 to rotate it horizontally around the vertical axis of rotation, so that the air inlet of the ram air turbine 5 is initially aligned with the aircraft mounting interface. Then, the operator operates the flip adjustment mechanism 2, slowly turns the adjustment handle 23 and then rotates the adjustment bolt 24 to drive the upper mounting panel 21 to produce angular displacement relative to the lower mounting panel 22, so as to achieve the pitch adjustment of the ram air turbine 5 around the Y-axis; at the same time, the operator manually controls the balance bar assembly 1 to correct the flip angle around the X-axis until the mounting part of the ram air turbine 5 and the fuselage interface are in a completely coaxial state.

[0067] After confirming that all mounting parts and connection points are aligned, the ram air turbine 5 is finally tightened to the aircraft structure. The connecting bolts of the clamp assembly are then loosened sequentially to release the constraint on the ram air turbine 5. The balance of the balance bar assembly 1 is adjusted by reducing the weights 31, and the moving device is released from the work area after being locked.

[0068] The following is a brief description of the operation process for disassembling the ram air turbine 5 using the lifting bracket of this utility model.

[0069] Position the lifting bracket precisely below the ram air turbine 5 to be disassembled, ensuring that the center line of the clamp assembly coincides with the axis of the ram air turbine 5. Thoroughly check that the adjusting bolts 24 of the tilting adjustment mechanism 2 are in the neutral position to prevent interference during subsequent operations.

[0070] During the process of raising the lifting bracket by adjusting the balance assembly, when the clamp assembly contacts the housing of the ram air turbine 5, the raising should be stopped immediately and all connecting bolts tightened. After the mechanical connection between the ram air turbine 5 and the aircraft structure is released, the balance bar assembly is slowly lowered by adjusting the counterweight assembly 3, which in turn slowly lowers the lifting bracket. At this time, the horizontal status of the balance bar assembly 1 needs to be monitored simultaneously, and the configuration of the counterweight assembly 3 should be adjusted in a timely manner to maintain system stability.

[0071] After transferring the bracket carrying the ram air turbine 5 to the maintenance area, first release the clamp assembly and then remove the ram air turbine 5.

[0072] The implementation of this utility model is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be adjusted and optimized according to different design requirements and usage environments. The scope of protection of this utility model should be determined by the content of the claims, and not limited to the embodiments described above. Although this utility model has been described through specific embodiments, any modifications, changes, and combinations made by those skilled in the art to various embodiments and implementation methods of this utility model without departing from the spirit of this utility model should be within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A lifting bracket for a ram air turbine, characterized in that, include: A balance bar assembly (1), one end of which is connected to the ram air turbine; A support mechanism is disposed between one end and the other end of the balance bar assembly (1) and is configured to support the balance bar assembly (1) from below and allow it to swing up and down about the support mechanism. A clamping assembly (4), the clamping assembly (4) being disposed at one end of the balance bar assembly (1), is used to clamp the ram air turbine (5); and A counterweight assembly (3) is disposed at the other end of the balance bar assembly (1) and is used to adjust the height of the ram air turbine (5) clamped by the clamping assembly (4). The support mechanism includes: A rotating shaft, which is vertically disposed at the lower part of the balance bar assembly (1); and A flip adjustment mechanism (2) is provided at the lower part of the balance bar assembly (1) and is used to adjust the flip angle of the balance bar assembly (1).

2. The lifting bracket for the ram air turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flip adjustment mechanism (2) includes an upper mounting panel (21) and a lower mounting panel (22), with one end of the upper mounting panel (21) and the first end of the lower mounting panel (22) rotatably hinged together.

3. The lifting bracket for the ram air turbine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flip adjustment mechanism (2) also includes an adjustment bolt (24) for adjusting the angle between the upper mounting panel (21) and the lower mounting panel (22).

4. The lifting bracket for the ram air turbine according to claim 3, characterized in that, An adjustment handle (23) is provided at the end of the adjusting bolt (24).

5. The lifting bracket for the ram air turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping component (4) is a clamping assembly.

6. The lifting bracket for a ram air turbine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The clamp assembly includes two semi-circular clamping members, which are fixed together by a connector.

7. The lifting bracket for a ram air turbine according to claim 5, characterized in that, A cushioning pad is provided on the inner side of the clamp assembly.

8. The lifting bracket for a ram air turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The balance bar assembly (1) is rotatable around the rotation axis.

9. The lifting bracket for a ram air turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The counterweight assembly (3) includes one or more weights (31).

10. The lifting bracket for a ram air turbine according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a movable device through which the ram air turbine (5) lifting bracket can move freely on the ground.

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