Electromechanical Actuator Locking With Sliding Lock and Hooks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for actuating and locking hydraulic aircraft landing gear require supplementary equipment like pumps and high-pressure circuits, and fail to provide reliable automatic locking and position information, necessitating additional safety and regulatory compliance measures.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical actuator with an internal locking device featuring a movable rod, hooks, and a sliding lock that automatically locks and unlocks through motor action, utilizing a nut and locking spring to ensure reliable locking and unlocking, and includes sensors for position detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If hydraulic actuation system is used for landing gear, then actuation force is sufficient, but supplementary equipment (pumps, high-pressure circuits) is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic actuation system with an electromechanical system consisting of an electric motor, transmission mechanism, and screw rod. This substitution eliminates the need for hydraulic pumps, high-pressure circuits, and associated supplementary equipment while providing sufficient actuation force through the motor's mechanical output transmitted through the screw mechanism to move the landing gear between retracted and deployed positions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the hydraulic subsystem (pumps, reservoirs, high-pressure circuits, valves) from the landing gear actuation system, retaining only the essential actuation function through an electromechanical system. This extraction simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating complex hydraulic infrastructure while maintaining the required actuation capability
2Reliability
If automatic locking is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism operates automatically through the motion of the screw rod itself, which engages with the locking claw via a ramp surface. As the screw rod moves to its extreme position, the ramp surface automatically drives the locking claw into the locked position without requiring separate actuators, sensors, or control systems. This self-service approach achieves reliable automatic locking while minimizing additional device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the actuation function and locking function into a single integrated mechanism. The screw rod serves dual purposes: it actuates the landing gear movement and simultaneously triggers the locking action through its interaction with the locking claw. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate actuation and locking systems, reducing overall complexity while ensuring reliable automatic locking
3Reliability
If position sensing is added for reliable gear deployed and locked information, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a position sensor that detects the location of the locking claw and provides feedback signals indicating whether the landing gear is in the deployed and locked position. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable position information for safety monitoring and control systems without requiring complex sensing arrays or multiple sensors, achieving dependable position detection through a single well-placed sensor
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides automatic and reliable locking and unlocking of the actuator, eliminating the need for supplementary equipment and ensuring safe and reliable 'gear deployed and locked' information, enhancing safety and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a locking spring designed to be arranged between the nut of the actuator and the rod of the actuator
Implementation Method 2
at least one sensor for sensing the position of the sliding lock
Data Source
AI summary
This locking device for an electromechanical actuator comprises a rod that is movable relative to a cylinder under the action of a motor actuating the rod, an assembly of at least one hook that can be moved between a locked position in which said hooks engage in an indentation and an unlocked position in which said set of hooks is released from the indentation, one of said set of hooks and the indentation being provided on the cylinder and the other on the rod. It comprises a sliding lock that can slide relative to said hooks and to the indentation between a holding position in which said hooks are held in the locked position a released position in which said hooks are released under the action of the motor actuating the rod.