# US 10,767,499 B2 · Actuator lock

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- Number: US 10,767,499 B2
- Document ID: US10767499B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/828,609
- Filed: 2015-08-18
- Published: 2016-02-25
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2014-08-22
- Assignees: Microtecnica S.R.L.
- Applicants: Microtecnica S.R.L
- Inventors: Marco Gianfranceschi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767499B2

## CPC

- F01D 5/32: Locking, e.g. by final locking blades or keys
- B64C 11/346: {actuated by the centrifugal force or the aerodynamic drag acting on auxiliary masses or surfaces}
- B64C 27/006: {Safety devices}
- B64C 27/57: automatic or condition responsive, e.g. responsive to rotor speed, torque or thrust
- B64C 27/72: Means acting on blades
- B64C 2027/7266: {actuated by actuators}
- F03D 7/022: {Adjusting aerodynamic properties of the blades}
- F05B 2260/30: Retaining components in desired mutual position
- Y02T 50/30: Wing lift efficiency
- F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D)
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- F03D: WIND MOTORS
- F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A locking device for use in a rotor blade, said locking device comprising: a locking member that is arranged to be movable from an unlocked position to a locking position upon experiencing sufficiently fast rotation; and a selectively engagable retaining device arranged when engaged to retain the locking member in the unlocked position. The locking device will typically default to an unlocked position during normal rotation and will only be locked so as to prevent movement when the retaining device is de-activated. A method of locking an actuator is also disclosed. The locking device has applications in helicopter rotor blades and wind turbine blades amongst others.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A rotor blade comprising:
a locking device positioned inside the rotor blade, said locking device comprising:
a locking member that is arranged to move radially with respect to the rotor blade and to be movable from an unlocked position to a locking position upon experiencing sufficiently fast rotation of the rotor blade, said locking position being radially outward of said unlocked position;
a selectively engageable retaining device arranged when engaged to retain the locking member in the unlocked position; and
a resilient biasing device, arranged to bias the locking member in the direction of the unlocked position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The rotor blade as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining device is arranged when engaged to provide a retaining force per unit mass equivalent to more than 200 g.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The rotor blade as claimed in claim 2, wherein the retaining device is arranged when engaged to provide a retaining force per unit mass equivalent to more than 500 g.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The rotor blade as claimed in claim 1, wherein said selectively engageable retaining device is an electromechanical actuator.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The rotor blade as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the locking position the locking member engages with a pin so as to prevent movement of the pin.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The rotor blade as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking member has a groove that engages with said pin.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The rotor blade as claimed in claim 6, wherein said groove has sloped sides arranged to guide the pin to a predetermined position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The rotor blade as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more adjustable blade surfaces, each having an actuator and each having a locking device as claimed in claim 1 arranged to lock said actuator.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The rotor blade as claimed in claim 8, wherein said adjustable surfaces are part of an anti-vibration system.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The rotor blade as claimed in claim 1, wherein said blade is a helicopter or wind turbine blade.