A canopy locking system

Abstract

A canopy locking system comprising a body 2 located on an air vehicle; a cockpit; a canopy 3 located on the body in a movable manner and provides protection of the cockpit; at least one chamber (4, fig 4) located on the body 2 in the form of a groove; at least one pin 5 located on the body, wherein the pin 5 is at least partially placed inside the chamber (4), thus enabling the canopy 3 to be fixed to the body; a first position (I) in which the pin 5 is located outside the chamber (4) to allow the canopy 3 to move; a second position (II) in which the pin 5 is placed at least partially in the chamber (4) to prevent the canopy 3 from moving; an actuator (6, fig 3) providing movement of the canopy and movement of the pin 5 between the first position (I) and the second position (I); at least one transmission mechanism 7 between the pin 5 and the actuator (6), and enables the pin 5 to enter and exit the chamber (4); and a main shaft 8 which allows the actuator 6 to move the pin 5.

Description

A CANOPY LOCKING SYSTEM The present invention relates to a mechanism that enables a canopy in an air and / or space vehicle to be moved and locked. In air and / or space vehicles, cockpits are surrounded by transparent structures called canopies, with the aim of isolating noise and meteorological effects, increasing visibility and reducing friction caused by air flow. By creating a pressurized area within the canopy, pilots are protected from atmospheric effects during high-speed flights. However, canopies are considered a component of pilot rescue systems used to evacuate pilots from the air vehicle in emergencies. Canopies are made of acrylic plastic or polycarbonate materials, which require expertise, by forming transparent shapes in order to provide a good viewing angle to the pilots. The high-level of sealing properties and lightness of the canopy are important factors that affect pilot health and air vehicle performance. During pilots' access to the cockpit, the canopies are opened or closed by actuating mechanisms provided at the air vehicle. Today, while opening and closing operations of the canopy are carried out by a mechanism, the process of locking the canopy on the air vehicle body for sealing is performed by a different mechanism. While the required power for said mechanisms is provided by various motors and actuators, the closed and locked states of the canopy are controlled by sensors. Using a plurality of actuator mechanisms and actuators will increase the space occupied in the canopy, causing the need for larger cockpit volumes and increasing the weight of the air vehicle. US3194517A, which is included in the known-state of the art, discloses opening, closing, locking and jettisoning of air vehicle canopies, especially fighter jet canopies, by a practical mechanism. According to this document, the mechanism is manually triggered by the latches, wherein locking, unlocking, canopy opening and canopy closing functions can be performed by a single continuous motion. In said document, it is opened towards the flight direction of the air vehicle. WO2022146288A1, which is included in the known-state of the art, discloses opening, closing, and locking a canopy on air or space vehicles, and applying jettison in case of a 1 possible emergency. Using a single actuator, the canopy is first released from the locks by sliding towards the flight direction of the air vehicle, then it is opened towards the nose of the air vehicle, after which it is closed and brought to the locked position. Thanks to a canopy locking system according to the present invention, opening, closing and locking of the canopy is triggered by a single actuator. Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighter, compact and reliable canopy locking system. The canopy locking system realized to achieve the object of the invention, which is defined in the first claim and other claims dependent thereon, comprises a body which is a structural part of an air vehicle; a cockpit located on the body; and a canopy placed on the body by at least partially surrounding the cockpit, and providing protection of the cockpit. There is provided at least one chamber located on the body in the form of a hollow cylinder; at least one pin located on the body and locking the canopy by moving in and out of the chamber. There is a first position (I) in which the pin is located outside the chamber, allowing the canopy to slide, open and close, so that the contact of the canopy with the body is at least partially interrupted; a second position (II) in which the pin is located in the chamber to restrict the sliding, opening and closing of the canopy. At least one actuator is provided on the body, wherein the actuator opens and closes telescopically, allowing the canopy to slide, open and close in the flight direction of air vehicle and vice versa. The actuator enables the canopy to move, open and / or close by moving the pin from the first position (I) to the second position (II) and / or from the second position (II) to the first position (I). There is at least one transmission mechanism between the pin and the actuator, which transfers the movement of the actuator to the pin, allowing the pin to be locked and unlocked. At least one main shaft, with one end connected to the transmission mechanism and the other end to the actuator, transfers the moment of the actuator to the pin by means of the transmission mechanism. The canopy locking system according to the invention comprises the actuator, with one end connected to the canopy and the other end connected to the main shaft, wherein the actuator is opened telescopically to move the canopy, and is moved angularly to move the main shaft. There is a connecting element between the actuator and the main shaft, wherein the connecting element is connected to the main shaft in an off-center or 2 eccentric manner, with a distance to the actuator and in a movable manner, thus allowing the first shaft to rotate around its own axis while the actuator moves angularly. A stopper is provided on the body, such that if the pin is outside the chamber, the connecting element rests on the stopper and one end of the actuator is fixed and opened telescopically, thereby allowing the canopy to be moved and opened in the flight direction. When the actuator is closed telescopically, it enables the canopy to slide in a direction opposite to the flight direction, and when the canopy moves angularly to achieve a complete closure, it enables the pin to be located in the chamber and the canopy to be locked. In an embodiment of the invention, in the canopy locking system, if one end of the same actuator rests on the stopper, one end of the actuator is fixed and the actuator also removes the pin from the chamber; and if the other end of the actuator is opened linearly, the canopy is slid and opened. The actuator closes linearly, allowing the canopy to be placed almost completely on the body, and the pin enters the chamber and prevents the canopy from moving in the flight direction, thus ensuring locking. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking system comprises the connecting element, with one end movably connected to the actuator, and the other end connected to the axis along which the main shaft extends, at a distance predetermined by the manufacturer, thus allowing the main shaft to move rotationally / circularly while the actuator is moved linearly. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking system comprises the stopper in cylindrical form. The connecting element is form-compatible with the stopper, in the form of a hook, thus completely surrounding the stopper and enabling one end of the actuator to be completely fixed. By fixing one end of the canopy, the canopy is allowed to move. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking system comprises at least one auxiliary shaft connected to the main shaft and allowing to movement transfer from the main shaft to the pin. There is at least one bracket in L-form, which is connected to the auxiliary shaft and supported on the body at a single point. While the pin is moved from the first position (I) to the second position (II) and / or from the second position (II) to the first position (I), the bracket transfers the rotational movement, which is applied by the main shaft to the auxiliary shaft, to the pin so as to move the pin at least partially angularly. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking system comprises at least one arm located between the bracket and the pin. The arm enables the pin to enter the chamber with a linear motion and to exit the chamber with a linear motion. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking system comprises the connecting element which has a concave form relative to the stopper. The connecting element completely surrounds the stopper when the pin is in the first position (I), and enables one end of the actuator to be fixed, thus enabling the actuator to be telescopically opened and the canopy to be opened and / or closed by sliding. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking system comprises at least one hook located on the canopy and extending outward from the canopy. There is a security mechanism, wherein when the pin is in the first position (I) and the actuator is telescopically opened, the security mechanism is triggered by the hook to close the chamber entrance, thus preventing the pin from entering the chamber unless locking is ensured. The same security mechanism is triggered by the hook when the actuator telescopically closes and the pin is in the first position (I), thereby allowing the chamber entrance to be opened, the pin to be locked, and thus preventing the movement of the canopy after closure. In an embodiment of the invention, in the canopy locking system, the security mechanism consists of at least one channel, at least one rod, at least one spring and at least one wall. The channel is provided in a hollow form on the security mechanism. The rod is located in the channel and is moved in the channel by the contact of the hook while the canopy is making a sliding movement. The spring is located in the security mechanism such that when the pin is in the second position (II), the spring is compressed, allowing pressure to be applied to the pin at its lateral walls, thus allowing the pin to remain stable in the chamber. The same spring is released when the canopy starts to slide when the pin is in the first position (I). The wall is located at one end of the spring and it is activated by the spring. The wall enters and / or exits the chamber through an opening on at least one of the lateral walls of the chamber. The wall applies a force to the pin inside the chamber when it is in the second position (II), and enables the pin to remain in the chamber. The same wall is triggered by the hook when the canopy starts to slide when the pin is in the first position (I), almost completely closing the chamber entrance and enabling the pin to remain outside the chamber when the canopy is opened. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking system comprises at least one transmission element located at one end of the main shaft so as to make an angular movement around the axis on which the main shaft rotates. There is at least one support element, with one end connected to the transmission element to extend outwards from the transmission element, and the other end connected to the auxiliary shaft, wherein the transmission element transfers the rotational movement of the main shaft to the transmission element to move the other end of the auxiliary shaft linearly. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking system comprises the canopy, which is moved by the actuator when the pin is in the first position (I), slides open in the flight direction of the air vehicle, and slides closed in the opposite direction to the flight direction of the air vehicle. The canopy locking system realized to achieve the object of the present invention is illustrated in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the canopy in an open position. Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the canopy in a closed position. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the canopy locking system. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pin, main shaft, connecting element and stopper in the first position (I). Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pin in the second position (II). Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pin in the first position (I). Figure 7 is a perspective view of the transmission mechanism. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the transmission mechanism. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the transmission mechanism. All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below: 1. Canopy locking system 2. Body 3. Canopy 4. Chamber 5. Pin 6. Actuator 7. Transmission mechanism 701. Auxiliary shaft 702. Bracket 703. Arm 704. Transmission element 705. Support element 8. Main shaft 9. Connecting element 10. Stopper 11. Hook 12. Security mechanism 121. Channel 122. Rod 123. Spring 124. Wall (I)      First position (II)    Second position The canopy locking system (1) comprises a body (2) which is located on an air vehicle; a cockpit (C) which is located on the body (2) and in which a user controls the air vehicle; a canopy (3) which is located on the body (2) in a movable manner and provides protection of the cockpit (C); at least one chamber (4) which is located on the body (2) in the form of a groove; at least one pin (5) which is located on the body (2), wherein the pin (5) is at least partially placed inside the chamber (4), thus enabling the canopy (3) to be fixed to the body (2); a first position (I) in which the pin (5) is located outside the chamber (4) to allow the canopy (3) to move; a second position (II) in which the pin (5) is placed at least partially in the chamber (4) to prevent the canopy (3) from moving; an actuator (6) that provides the movement of the canopy (3) and the movement of the pin (5) between the first position (I) and the second position (I); at least one transmission mechanism (7) which is located between the pin (5) and the actuator (6), and enables the pin (5) to enter 6 and exit the chamber (4); a main shaft (a rotary shaft) (8) which allows the actuator (6) to move the pin (5) (Figure - 1, Figure - 2). The canopy locking system (1) according to the invention comprises the actuator (6), with one end connected to the canopy (3) and the other end to the main shaft (8), wherein the actuator (6) enables the canopy (3) and the main shaft (8) to move; a connecting element (9), with one end connected to the actuator (6) and the other end connected to the main shaft (8), thus enabling the main shaft (8) to move rotationally while the actuator (6) moves; a stopper (10) which is located on the body (2), in contact with the connecting element (9) in the first position (I), wherein the stopper (10) allows the end of the actuator (6) connected to the connecting element (9) to be fixed at a distance predetermined by the manufacturer, thus allowing the canopy (3) to be moved (Figure - 3, Figure - 4, Figure -5)- The body (2) is located on the air vehicle, and the canopy (3) can move on the body (2) relative to the body (2), in connection with the body (2). The canopy (3) provides the protection of the pilot and the creation of a suitable atmosphere during a flight. The cockpit (C) is located on the body (2), in which the user controls the air vehicle, wherein the canopy (3) provides almost complete protection of the cockpit (C). At least one chamber (4) is located on the body (2) in the form of a groove. At least one pin (5) is located on the body (2), which is placed inside the chamber (4) and enables the canopy (3) to be fixed to the body (2). There is a first position (I) in which the pin (5) is located outside the chamber (4) and allows the canopy (3) to move; and a second position (II) in which the pin (5) is placed inside the chamber (4) and prevents the canopy (3) from moving. The actuator (6) located on the body (2) enables both the canopy (3) to move, and the pin (5) to move between the first position (I) and the second position (II). The transmission mechanism (7) is located between the pin (5) and the actuator (6), and enables the pin (5) to enter and exit the chamber (4). The main shaft (8) located on the body (2) enables the actuator (6) to move the canopy (3) and pin (5). The actuator (6) is located between the canopy (3) and the main shaft (8), such that when the actuator (6) is opened telescopically, the canopy (3) is moved, and when the actuator (6) moves at least partially angularly, the main shaft (8) is moved. The connecting element (9) is located between the actuator (6) and the main shaft (8). The axis along which the first shaft (8) extends and the end to which the connecting element (9) is connected are 7 located at a distance predetermined by the manufacturer, thus enabling the rotational movement of the main shaft (8) during the movement of the actuator (6). The stopper (10) is located on the body (2). When the pin (5) is in the first position (I), the connecting element (9) contacts the stopper (10), so that the stopper (10) enables said end of the actuator (6) connected to the connecting element (9) to be fixed at the distance predetermined by the manufacturer, thereby allowing the canopy (3) to be moved. Therefore, using a single actuator (6), both the locking process and activation of the canopy (3) are provided (Figure - 6). In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking mechanism (1) comprises the stopper (10) in contact with the connecting element (9) in the first position (I), which provides antitorque to the actuator (6), allows the actuator (6) to be opened and closed telescopically, thus allowing the canopy (3) to be opened and closed. The stopper (10) enables at least partial fixation of the actuator (6). In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking mechanism (1) comprises the connecting element (9), with one end connected to the actuator (6) in a movable manner, the other end connected to the main shaft (8) to almost completely surround the main shaft (8), thereby allowing the main shaft (8) to move rotationally while the actuator (6) is moved. The connecting element (8) enables the first shaft (8) to make a rotational movement while the actuator (6) moves at least partially linearly. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking mechanism (1) comprises the stopper (10) which is provided in a form predetermined by the manufacturer; the connecting element (9) which is form-compatible with the stopper (10), thereby almost completely surrounding the stopper (10) in the first position (I), so that the canopy (3) is moved. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking mechanism (1) comprises at least one auxiliary shaft (701) connected to the main shaft (8) and allowing the movement of the main shaft (8) to be transferred to the pin (5); at least one bracket (702) in L-shape, which is connected to the auxiliary shaft (701), wherein the bracket (702) is supported on the body (2) at a single point, thereby transferring the rotational movement, which is applied by the main shaft (8) to the auxiliary shaft (701), to the pin (5) while the pin (5) is moved from the first position (I) to the second position (II) and from the second position (II) 8 to the first position (I), so that the pin (5) is moved angularly. The bracket (702) makes a rotational movement such that it is supported by a single-point. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking mechanism (1) comprises at least one arm (703) which is located between the bracket (702) and the pin (5) and transfers the rotational movement applied by the main shaft (8) to the auxiliary shaft (701) as linear movement to the pin (5), thereby enabling the pin (5) to enter the chamber (4) at least partially with a linear movement and to exit the chamber (4) at least partially with a linear movement. By design, the arm (703) carries the movement in the desired axis in case there is a level difference on the body (2). In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking mechanism (1) comprises the connecting element (9) in a concave form relative to the stopper (10), which almost completely surrounds the stopper (10) when the pin (5) is in the first position (I), so that the movement of the actuator (6) is stopped and the canopy is allowed to be opened and closed. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking mechanism (1) comprises at least one hook (11) which is located in the form of a protrusion on the canopy (3); at least one security mechanism (12) on the chamber (4), which is triggered by the hook (11) when the pin (5) is in the first position (I), thereby closing the entrance to the chamber (4) and thus preventing the pin (5) from entering the chamber (4), so that the canopy (3) is allowed to move, wherein the security mechanism (12) is triggered by the hook (11) when the pin (5) is in the first position (I), thereby allowing the pin (5) to enter the chamber (4), providing antitorque to the actuator (6) and allowing the movement of the canopy (3). The security mechanism (12) is triggered when the actuator (6) moves the canopy (3) (Figure -7). In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking mechanism (1) comprises at least one channel (121) which is located in the form of a groove on the security mechanism (12), and forms the security mechanism (12); at least one rod (122) located on the security mechanism (12), triggered by the hook (11) and moving in the channel (121); at least one spring (123) which is compressed to apply a force to the pin (5) when the pin (5) is in the second position (II), thus creating an antitorque to the actuator (6) such that the actuator (6) moves the canopy (3), wherein the spring (123) is released when the pin (5) is in the first position (I); at least one wall (124), with one end connected to the spring (123) so as to be activated by the spring (123), wherein the wall (124) moves in the chamber (4) 9 to apply a force to the pin (5) in the second position (II), so that the pin (5) remains in the chamber (4), wherein the wall (124) is activated by the spring (123) in the first position (I) so as to close the entrance of the chamber (4), and prevents the pin (5) from entering the chamber (4) to allow one end of the actuator (6) to remain fixed, thus allowing the canopy (3) to move. The wall (124) is form-compatible with the opening on the lateral surface of the chamber (Figure - 8, Figure - 9). In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking mechanism (1) comprises at least one transmission element (704) supported on one end of the main shaft (8) so as to make an angular movement around the axis on which the main shaft (8) rotates; at least one support element (705), with one end connected to the transmission element (704) so as to extend outwards from the transmission element (704), the other end being connected to the auxiliary shaft (701), wherein the support element (705) transfers the rotational movement of the main shaft (8) to the auxiliary shaft (701) as linear movement. The rotational movement of the first shaft (8) is transferred to the pin (5) as linear movement, thus saving space within the body for the transmission of the movement. In an embodiment of the invention, the canopy locking mechanism (1) comprises the canopy (3) which slides open in the flight direction of air vehicle when the pin (5) is in first position (I), and slides closed in the opposite direction.

Claims

1. A canopy locking system (1) comprising a body (2) which is located on an air vehicle; a cockpit (C) which is located on the body (2) and in which a user controls the air vehicle; a canopy (3) which is located on the body (2) in a movable manner and provides protection of the cockpit (C); at least one chamber (4) which is located on the body (2) in the form of a groove; at least one pin (5) which is located on the body (2), wherein the pin (5) is at least partially placed inside the chamber (4), thus enabling the canopy (3) to be fixed to the body (2); a first position (I) in which the pin (5) is located outside the chamber (4) to allow the canopy (3) to move; a second position (II) in which the pin (5) is placed at least partially in the chamber (4) to prevent the canopy (3) from moving; an actuator (6) that provides the movement of the canopy (3) and the movement of the pin (5) between the first position (I) and the second position (I); at least one transmission mechanism (7) which is located between the pin (5) and the actuator (6), and enables the pin (5) to enter and exit the chamber (4); a main shaft (a rotary shaft) (8) which allows the actuator (6) to move the pin (5), characterized by the actuator (6), with one end connected to the canopy (3) and the other end to the main shaft (8), wherein the actuator (6) enables the canopy (3) and the main shaft (8) to move; a connecting element (9), with one end connected to the actuator (6) and the other end connected to the main shaft (8), thus enabling the main shaft (8) to move rotationally while the actuator (6) moves; a stopper (10) which is located on the body (2), in contact with the connecting element (9) in the first position (I), wherein the stopper (10) allows the end of the actuator (6) connected to the connecting element (9) to be fixed at a distance predetermined by the manufacturer, thus allowing the canopy (3) to be moved.

2. A canopy locking system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the stopper (10) in contact with the connecting element (9) in the first position (I), which provides antitorque to the actuator (6), allows the actuator (6) to be opened and closed telescopically, thus allowing the canopy (3) to be opened and closed.

3. A canopy locking system (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the connecting element (9), with one end connected to the actuator (6) in a movable manner, the other end connected to the main shaft (8) to almost completely 11surround the main shaft (8), thereby allowing the main shaft (8) to move rotationally while the actuator (6) is moved.

4. A canopy locking system (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the stopper (10) which is provided in a form predetermined by the manufacturer; the connecting element (9) which is form-compatible with the stopper (10), thereby almost completely surrounding the stopper (10) in the first position (I), so that the canopy (3) is moved.

5. A canopy locking system (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by at least one auxiliary shaft (701) connected to the main shaft (8) and allowing the movement of the main shaft (8) to be transferred to the pin (5); at least one bracket (702) in L-shape, which is connected to the auxiliary shaft (701), wherein the bracket (702) is supported on the body (2) at a single point, thereby transferring the rotational movement, which is applied by the main shaft (8) to the auxiliary shaft (701), to the pin (5) while the pin (5) is moved from the first position (I) to the second position (II) and from the second position (II) to the first position (I), so that the pin (5) is moved angularly.

6. A canopy locking system (1) according to claim 5, characterized by at least one arm (703) which is located between the bracket (702) and the pin (5) and transfers the rotational movement applied by the main shaft (8) to the auxiliary shaft (701) as linear movement to the pin (5), thereby enabling the pin (5) to enter the chamber (4) at least partially with a linear movement and to exit the chamber (4) at least partially with a linear movement.

7. A canopy locking system (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the connecting element (9) in a concave form relative to the stopper (10), which almost completely surrounds the stopper (10) when the pin (5) is in the first position (I), so that the movement of the actuator (6) is stopped and the canopy is allowed to be opened and closed.

8. A canopy locking system (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by at least one hook (11) which is located in the form of a protrusion on the canopy (3); at least one security mechanism (12) on the chamber (4), which is 12triggered by the hook (11) when the pin (5) is in the first position (I), thereby closing the entrance to the chamber (4) and thus preventing the pin (5) from entering the chamber (4), so that the canopy (3) is allowed to move, wherein the security mechanism (12) is triggered by the hook (11) when the pin (5) is in the first position (I), thereby allowing the pin (5) to enter the chamber (4), providing antitorque to the actuator (6) and allowing the movement of the canopy (3).

9. A canopy locking system (1) according to claim 8, characterized by at least one channel (121) which is located in the form of a groove on the security mechanism (12), and forms the security mechanism (12); at least one rod (122) located on the security mechanism (12), triggered by the hook (11) and moving in the channel (121); at least one spring (123) which is compressed to apply a force to the pin (5) when the pin (5) is in the second position (II), thus creating an antitorque to the actuator (6) such that the actuator (6) moves the canopy (3), wherein the spring (123) is released when the pin (5) is in the first position (I); at least one wall (124), with one end connected to the spring (123) so as to be activated by the spring (123), wherein the wall (124) moves in the chamber (4) to apply a force to the pin (5) in the second position (II), so that the pin (5) remains in the chamber (4), wherein the wall (124) is activated by the spring (123) in the first position (I) so as to close the entrance of the chamber (4), and prevents the pin (5) from entering the chamber (4) to allow one end of the actuator (6) to remain fixed, thus allowing the canopy (3) to move.

10. A canopy locking system (1) according to any of the claims 5 to 9, characterized by at least one transmission element (704) supported on one end of the main shaft (8) so as to make an angular movement around the axis on which the main shaft (8) rotates; at least one support element (705), with one end connected to the transmission element (704) so as to extend outwards from the transmission element (704), the other end being connected to the auxiliary shaft (701), wherein the support element (705) transfers the rotational movement of the main shaft (8) to the auxiliary shaft (701) as linear movement.

11. A canopy locking system (1) according to any of the above claims, characterized by the canopy (3) which slides open in the flight direction of air vehicle when the pin (5) is in first position (I), and slides closed in the opposite direction.13

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