US 10,723,441 B2 · High-speed-deployed, drum-brake, inertia disk for rack and pinion rotational inerter

Abstract

A dual rack and pinion rotational inerter, configured to dampen the flutter of a flight control member of an aircraft, includes an inertial wheel and a brake member disposed on an inertial wheel. The brake member moves between a retracted position and a deployed position based on a rotational velocity of the inertial wheel. The brake member moves to the retracted position when the rotational velocity of the inertial wheel is slower than a predetermined threshold velocity to allow the rotation of the inertial wheel. When the rotational velocity of the inertial wheel is at least as fast as the predetermined threshold velocity, however, the brake member deploys to yieldingly resist the rotation of the inertial wheel. In either position, the inertial wheel causes the inerter to dampen the flutter.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An inertial wheel assembly for a dual rack and pinion rotational inerter configured to control movement of a flight control member on an aircraft, the inertial wheel assembly comprising:

a housing;
and
an inertial wheel disposed within the housing and operatively connected to an axle of the dual rack and pinion rotational inerter, wherein the inertial wheel is configured to dampen flutter of the flight control member and comprises:
a trigger member configured to pivot between a first position and a second position based on a rotational velocity of the inertial wheel;
and
a brake member operatively coupled to the trigger member and configured to move between a retracted position in which the brake member is spaced away from the housing when the trigger member is in the first position, and a deployed position in which the brake member contacts the housing when the trigger member is in the second position.

3 more elements

An aircraft comprising:

a dual rack and pinion rotational inerter coupled between a support structure of the aircraft and a flight control member comprising a flight control surface;
and
an inertial wheel assembly operatively coupled to a side of the rack and pinion rotational inerter and comprising:
an inertial wheel disposed within a housing and operatively connected to an axle of the dual rack and pinion rotational inerter, wherein the inertial wheel is configured to dampen flutter of the flight control member;
a trigger member disposed on the inertial wheel and configured to pivot between a first position and a second position based on a rotational velocity of the inertial wheel;
and
a brake member operatively coupled to the trigger member and configured to move between a retracted position away from the housing when the trigger member is in the first position, and a deployed position contacting the housing when the trigger member is in the second position.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

High-speed-deployed, drum-brake, inertia disk for rack and pinion rotational inerter

Life of this patent

High-speed-deployed, drum-brake, inertia disk for rack and pinion rotational inerter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20