Aircraft Door Actuator Locking With a Positively Blocked Stem
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft door and landing gear systems face challenges in efficiently maneuvering and locking doors in closed or retracted positions, particularly with independent doors requiring additional actuators and locking hooks, which increase complexity and aerodynamic perturbations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a telescopic actuator with a sliding stem that is positively blocked in the withdrawn position to lock the mobile element, eliminating the need for external locking hooks and providing an emergency function to compensate for actuator failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If independent doors are equipped with dedicated actuators and locking hooks, then the doors can close while landing gear is deployed, but the number of interfaces and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator and locking hook into a single integrated unit. The actuator's stem directly engages with the door's locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate locking hooks. This merging reduces the number of interfaces between components while maintaining the capability to close doors independently of landing gear position.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is designed to perform multiple functions: it both maneuvers the door and provides the locking function. The same actuator that moves the door between open and closed positions also engages the locking mechanism to hold the door closed, making the system more versatile without adding separate dedicated locking components.
2Reliability
If external locking hooks are used to hold doors in closed position, then reliable locking is achieved, but the number of components and interfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the actuator itself. The actuator's stem directly engages with the door's locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate external locking hooks. This integration maintains reliable locking while reducing the number of interfaces and components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the locking function from separate external components and integrates it directly into the actuator mechanism. By taking out the need for independent locking hooks and incorporating the locking capability within the actuator itself, the system achieves reliable locking with fewer components.
3Reliability
If multiple locking mechanisms are provided for door and landing gear, then secure positioning is ensured, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both maneuvering and locking functions. The same actuator that moves the door or landing gear also provides the locking mechanism to hold it in position, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining positioning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the maneuvering and locking functions into a single integrated actuator system. By combining these functions that were previously performed by separate components, the system achieves secure positioning with fewer components and interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for locking a mobile element (101) of an aircraft, such as a hold door or a landing gear, the mobile element being moved between a deployed position and a closed or retracted position by means of an actuator (200) having a sliding stem (3) coupled to the mobile element, the stem being mounted so as to be able to slide in a body (1) of the actuator between an extended position corresponding to the deployed position of the mobile element and a withdrawn position corresponding to the closed or retracted position of the mobile element. The method of the invention comprises the step of positively blocking the sliding stem of the actuator in the withdrawn position.