Aircraft Arresting Hook Pivot Assembly Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional arresting hook systems for aircraft, particularly those used on short runways like aircraft carriers, face challenges due to offset pivot axes, leading to increased moment forces and system weight, and lack efficient mechanisms for inspection and intermediate positioning.
Innovation Solution
The proposed arresting hook system employs a trapeze deployment assembly and hook deployment assembly with a pivot assembly that includes a coupler and linkage arm, decoupling the vertical damper actuator from the trapeze assembly to improve damping kinematics, reduce weight, and enable compact, flexible design with enhanced cable engagement performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional arresting hook systems use offset pivot axes to connect the trapeze assembly and hook assembly, then the system can achieve basic deployment functionality, but the moment forces increase and system weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pivot assembly with coupler and linkage arm is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the trapeze assembly and hook assembly. The coupler connects to the clevis of the hook shank, and the linkage arm with shaft and arm extends rearward, creating a mechanical intermediary that decouples the vertical damper actuator from the trapeze assembly while reducing moment forces transmitted to the hook assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The arresting hook system is segmented into distinct functional assemblies: the trapeze deployment assembly, the hook assembly with clevis, and the pivot assembly with coupler and linkage arm. This segmentation allows the vertical damper actuator to be decoupled from the trapeze assembly, enabling independent optimization of each subsystem and reducing overall system weight while maintaining strength.
2Reliability
If the vertical damper actuator is coupled to the trapeze assembly, then the system provides damping functionality, but the system weight and installation volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical damper actuator is extracted from the trapeze assembly and decoupled through the pivot assembly mechanism. The coupler and linkage arm allow the damper actuator to be positioned independently, separating the damping function from the trapeze deployment function. This extraction reduces system weight and installation volume while preserving the essential damping functionality through the modified kinematic chain.
3Volume of moving object
If the arresting hook system uses a compact design with intersecting pivot axes, then the installation volume is minimized, but the complexity of achieving proper kinematics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot assembly employs asymmetric geometry in the linkage arm with the arm extending rearward of the shaft at a specific angle. The shaft and arm form an asymmetric configuration that enables the pivot axes to intersect properly while maintaining compact dimensions. This asymmetric design achieves the desired kinematics without requiring symmetric or overly complex mechanical arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage arm extends in a rearward direction from the shaft, utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the aircraft to achieve proper pivot axis intersection. By extending the arm rearward rather than using a simple planar arrangement, the design achieves compact installation volume while maintaining the necessary three-dimensional kinematic relationships for proper hook deployment and damping action.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example pivot assembly for use with an arresting hook includes a coupler having a first opening defining a first axis and a second opening defining a second axis, the first opening transverse relative to the second opening. A linkage arm has a body and an arm. The body includes a third opening defining a third axis. The first opening of the coupler is to receive the body of the linkage arm such that the second opening of the coupler coaxially aligns with the third opening of linkage arm. A pin extends through the second opening and the third opening to couple the coupler and the linkage arm.