ACTUATOR HOUSING FOR A DYNAMIC AIR TURBINE DEPLOYMENT ACTUATOR

Abstract

ACTUATOR HOUSING FOR A DYNAMIC AIR TURBINE DEPLOYMENT ACTUATOR The invention relates to an actuator housing (200). The actuator housing (200) may include a body (206) and a first side (222) of the body (206) having a first pin interface and a first threaded hole fixed relative to the first pin interface. The first pin interface and the first threaded hole may be configured to interface with a solenoid housing. A second side (202) of the body (206) may be orthogonal to the first side (222). The second side (202) may have a circular geometry with a cylindrical element (242) disposed centrally within the circular geometry. A button assembly interface may be hollowed out in the second side (202) and disposed within the cylindrical element (242). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 3A

Description

Title of the invention: ACTUATOR HOUSING FOR A DYNAMIC AIR TURBINE DEPLOYMENT ACTUATOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a ram air turbine (RAT), and, more specifically, an actuator housing for a RAT.

[0002] CONTEXT

[0003] Dynamic air turbines are generally used in an aircraft to provide supplemental and / or emergency power to the aircraft by using an airflow to rotate a turbine. Dynamic air turbines can provide electrical or hydraulic power. Electric dynamic air turbines produce electrical power by transferring the rotational energy of the turbine to a generator. Dynamic air turbines can be located in a forward section of the aircraft, such as the nose. Dynamic air turbines can also be located in a rear section of the aircraft, such as the tail. Dynamic air turbines can be retracted when not in use and deployed when power is required. In this regard, dynamic air turbines may include an actuator for deploying and retracting the turbine.Actuators may incorporate integrated hydraulic circuits designed to specific dimensions. Current deployment actuators can be difficult and / or expensive to manufacture to the specified dimensions.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] An actuator housing may include a body and a first side of the body comprising a first pin interface and a first threaded hole fixed relative to the first pin interface. The first pin interface and the first threaded hole may be configured to interface with a solenoid housing. A second side of the body may be orthogonal to the first side. The second side may include a circular geometry with a cylindrical element disposed centrally within the circular geometry. A toggle assembly interface may be recessed in the second side and disposed within the cylindrical element.

[0006] In various embodiments, the first dowel interface may include a dowel hole and a dowel protruding from the dowel hole. The dowel may be configured to rest in the dowel hole. The dowel may also include a diamond-shaped stud. The first threaded hole may include an insert he Helical. The button assembly interface may include a second threaded hole, an interface hole aligned with the second threaded hole, and a second dowel interface. The second side may include a plurality of third threaded holes arranged around the cylindrical part. A dowel interface may be arranged on the second side radially outward from the cylindrical part.

[0007] A dynamic air turbine (RAT) may include a housing, a bracket coupled to the housing, a turbine at a distal end of the bracket, and a deployment actuator attached to the bracket and the housing. The deployment actuator may include an actuator housing comprising a body. A first side of the body may have a first pin interface and a first threaded hole fixed relative to the first pin interface. The first pin interface and the first threaded hole may be configured to interface with a solenoid housing. A second side of the body may be orthogonal to the first side and comprise a circular geometry with a cylindrical element disposed centrally within the circular geometry. A button assembly interface may be hollowed out in the second side and disposed within the cylindrical element.

[0008] The preceding features and elements may be combined in various non-exclusive combinations, unless expressly stated otherwise. These features and elements, as well as their operation, will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be non-limiting examples. Brief description of the drawings

[0009] The subject matter of this disclosure is specifically indicated and distinctly claimed in the concluding section of the memorandum. A more complete understanding of this disclosure may, however, be better obtained by referring to the detailed description and the claims when examined in conjunction with the figures, in which identical numerals denote identical elements.

[0010] [fig. 1] illustrates a perspective view of an aircraft, according to various embodiments;

[0011] [fig.2] illustrates a perspective view of a dynamic air turbine for an aircraft, in accordance with various embodiments; and

[0012] [fig.3A] illustrates a perspective view of an actuator housing, according to various embodiments;

[0013] [fig.3B] illustrates an elevation view of a solenoid housing interface of an actuator housing, according to various embodiments;

[0014] [fig.3C] illustrates a cross-sectional view of a dowel hole and a dowel of a solenoid housing interface, according to various embodiments; and

[0015] [fig.3D] illustrates a button assembly in an actuator housing, according to various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments. For example, the steps listed in any of the descriptions of a method or process can be carried out in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order shown.

[0017] Similarly, any reference to the terms attached, fixed, connected, or similar may include a permanent, removable, temporary, partial, total, and / or any other possible attachment option. Furthermore, any reference to the expression "contactless" (or similar phrases) may also include the meaning of reduced contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to designate different parts but not necessarily to designate identical or different materials.

[0018] As used herein, "rear" means the direction associated with the tail (e.g., the rear end) of an aircraft, or generally, the exhaust direction of the gas turbine. As used herein, "forward" means the direction associated with the nose (e.g., the forward end) of an aircraft, or generally, the direction of flight or movement.

[0019] As used herein, "distal" means the direction radially outward, or generally away from the axis of rotation of a turbine engine. As used herein, "proximal" means the direction radially inward, or generally toward the axis of rotation of a turbine engine.

[0020] In various embodiments and with reference to Figures 1 and 2, an aircraft 10 may include a dynamic air turbine 100. The dynamic air turbine 100 (RAT 100) may be lowered in the aircraft 10 and in the airflow path to generate electrical power and / or hydraulic power.

[0021] In various embodiments, the RAT 100 can be attached to the nose 12 of the aircraft 10 by the housing 114. The housing 114 can support a post 116 with a turbine 118 at a distal end of the post 116. The turbine 118 can include blades 120 configured to rotate in response to the deployment of the RAT 100. Rotation of the blades 120 can drive a generator. A deployment actuator 124 can be attached to the post 116 and the housing 114. The deployment actuator 124 can provide force to deploy and retract the turbine 118.

[0022] With reference to Figure 3A, a perspective view of an actuator housing 200 is shown, according to various embodiments. The actuator housing 200 may include a body 206 having a polygonal shape with many sides. For example, the body 206 may have six sides, each side being approximately orthogonal to the adjacent sides. The body 206 of the actuator housing 200 has interfaces for various components related to the actuation of the RAT.

[0023] With reference to Figures 3A and 3B, a solenoid housing interface 208 in an actuator housing 200 is shown, according to various embodiments. The solenoid housing interface 208 and the switch interface 210 can be formed on adjacent sides of the body 206. For example, the solenoid housing interface 208 can be formed on side 222, and the switch interface 210 can be formed on side 204. Side 204 can be adjacent and orthogonal to side 222 of the body 206. The solenoid housing interface 208 and the switch interface 210 can include an assortment of pin interfaces, threaded holes, and / or component openings for snapping components coupled to the body 206 of the actuator housing 200. The solenoid housing interface 208 can include a pin interface 219 and a pin interface 218.One or more of the peg interface 218 and peg interface 219 may include a peg hole formed in the surface 222 of the body 206. The cylindrical member 242 may be formed in the body 206.

[0024] With brief reference to Figure 3C, a cross-sectional view of a pin interface 218 receiving a pin 230 of a solenoid housing interface 208 is shown along line AA of Figure 3B, according to various embodiments. The dowel interface 218 includes a dowel hole 228 formed in the surface 222 of the body 206. The dowel hole 228 has a bottom surface 234 defining the depth of the dowel hole 228. The depth of the dowel hole 228 in the surface 222 can be chosen according to the length of the dowel 230. In various embodiments, the depth can be configured so that the dowel hole 228 can accept the dowel 230 with the bottom surface 240 of the dowel 230 resting on (i.e., coming into contact with) the bottom surface 234 of the dowel hole 228. The bottom surface 234 of the dowel hole 228 can have a conical contour with a flat ridge surrounding the conical contour.

[0025] In various embodiments, the dowel body 236 may have a cylindrical contour and be configured to contact the lateral walls 238 of the dowel hole 228 so that the dowel 230 is forcibly fitted into the dowel hole 228. The head 232 may extend out of the dowel hole 228 when the dowel 230 is fully inserted into the dowel hole 228. The head 232 may have a geometry different from the geometry of the dowel body 236. The head 232 may have a rhombic contour, or a rectangular contour, a polygonal contour, and / or any Another suitable contour. The head 232 can also have a circular contour with a smaller diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical geometry of the pin body 236. In various embodiments, the pin 230 can be a diamond-shaped stud. In this respect, the pin 230 can be force-fitted in the body 206 and have a loose fit (loose relative to the force fit of the pin 230 in the body 206) in the solenoid housing coupled by the solenoid housing interface 208.

[0026] Referring back to Figures 3A and 3B, the pin interface 219 and the pin interface 218 may have similar configurations or may vary as described above. Threaded holes 216 may be formed by making a cylindrical opening in the body 206 and inserting a helical coil 217 into the cylindrical opening. The threaded holes 216 may receive threaded fasteners for coupling a solenoid housing to the actuator housing 200. The interface hole 220 may be defined in the surface 222 of the body 206 and may be formed to interface with a solenoid housing. The interface hole 220 has a solenoid housing location 221 against which a coupled solenoid housing rests.The relative positions of the threaded holes 216, the pin interface 218, the pin interface 219, and the interface hole 220 are fixed relative to each other to ensure a precise interface with the solenoid housing interface 208 at the solenoid housing location 221. In this respect, the threaded holes 216, the pin interface 218, the pin interface 219, and the interface hole 220 may have a consistent position relative to each other but may be placed in a different location relative to other parts of the actuator housing 200 such as the switch interface 210.

[0027] With reference to Figure 3D, a button assembly interface 241 is shown in a cylindrical element 242 of side 202 of the actuator housing 200, according to various embodiments. Side 202 may include a perimeter of circular geometry. The cylindrical element 242 may be hollowed out in side 202 with the cylindrical element 242 centered with respect to the perimeter of the circular side 202. Threaded holes 249 may be arranged around the cylindrical element 242 in side 202 of the body 206. Side 202 may be substantially orthogonal to side 204 and side 222. The button assembly interface 241 may be hollowed out in side 202 and arranged within the cylindrical element 242.

[0028] In various embodiments, the button assembly interface 241 has threaded holes 243 arranged on opposite sides of the central opening 247 and aligned with the central opening 247 (i.e., with the center of the threaded holes 243 aligned with the center of the central opening 247). The threaded holes can be formed in the body 206 as openings containing a helical coil insert. The spring-loaded interface 246 is configured to receive a spring retainer from a button assembly. The dowel interface 245 can receive a protruding dowel from a button assembly to be coupled to the body 206 via the button assembly interface 241. The dowel interface 245 can be similar to the dowel interface 218 (of Figure 3C). The dowel interface 245, the threaded holes 243, the central opening 247, and the spring-loaded interface 246 can all be fixed relative to each other to ensure a precise interface with a button assembly coupled to the button assembly interface 241.

Claims

Claims

1. An actuator housing (200), comprising: a body (206); a first side (222) of the body (206) comprising a first peg interface (218) and a first threaded hole (216) fixed relative to the first peg interface (218), wherein the first peg interface (218) and the first threaded hole (216) are configured to interface with a solenoid housing; a second side (202) of the body (206) orthogonal to the first side (222) and comprising a circular geometry with a cylindrical member (242) disposed centrally to the circular geometry, a knob assembly interface (241) recessed in the second side (202) and disposed within the cylindrical member (242), and wherein the second side (202) comprises a plurality of third threaded holes (249) disposed around the cylindrical member (242).

2. The actuator housing of claim 1, wherein the first peg interface (218) comprises: a peg hole (228); and a peg (230) protruding from the peg hole (228).

3. The actuator housing of claim 2, wherein the peg (230) is configured to rest in the peg hole (228).

4. An actuator housing according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the pin (230) comprises a diamond stud.

5. An actuator housing according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the pin (230) comprises a head (232) having a polygonal geometry.

6. An actuator housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the first threaded hole (216) comprises a helical insert.

7. An actuator housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the knob assembly interface (241) comprises a second threaded hole (243); an interface hole (247) aligned with the second threaded hole (243); and a second peg interface (245).

8. An actuator housing according to any preceding claim, further comprising a dowel interface disposed on the second side (202) radially outwardly of the cylindrical member

9. (242). A ram air turbine (RAT) comprising: a housing (114); a strut (116) coupled to the housing (114); a turbine (118) at a distal end of the strut (116); and a deployment actuator (124) secured to the strut (116) and the housing (114), the deployment actuator (124) comprising the actuator housing (200) of any preceding claim.

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