Back to results
US 11,358,731 B2Granted
Clutch with synchronizer and locking mechanism
AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.
InventorCharles Hubert Speller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clutch that has a synchronizer for matching a rotational velocity of a drive input with a rotational velocity of a driven output prior to engagement of a locking mechanism.
Claims11
A method of transitioning an aircraft from a rotary flight mode to a non-rotary flight mode, the method comprising:
- (a) providing an aircraft, comprising:
- a proprotor assembly including a plurality of proprotor blades configured to transition between an extended position and a stored position;
- a transmission configured to transmit torque to the proprotor assembly;
- a clutch, comprising:
- a synchronizer, comprising:
- a first friction element coupling a drive input to an engine, the first friction element including a first friction surface;
- a second friction element coupling a driven output to the proprotor assembly, the second friction element including a second friction surface;
- and
- a first piston configured to cause relative translation between the first friction element and the second friction element;
- and
- a locking mechanism, comprising a second piston configured to cause relative translation between the driven output and the drive input;
- (b) actuating the first piston to cause contact between the first friction surface and the second friction surface;
- (c) actuating the second piston to cause splines on the driven output to disengage from splines on the drive input;
- and
- (d) actuating the first piston to disengage the second friction surface from the first friction surface.
12 more elements
A method of transitioning an aircraft from a non-rotary flight mode to a rotary flight mode, the method comprising:
- (a) providing an aircraft, comprising:
- a proprotor assembly including a plurality of proprotor blades configured to transition between an extended position and a stored position;
- a transmission configured to transmit torque to the proprotor assembly;
- a clutch, comprising:
- a synchronizer, comprising:
- a first friction element coupling a drive input to an engine, the first friction element including a first friction surface;
- a second friction element coupling a driven output to the proprotor assembly, the second friction element including a second friction surface;
- and
- a first piston configured to cause relative translation between the first friction element and the second friction element;
- and
- a locking mechanism, comprising a second piston configured to cause relative translation between the driven output and the drive input;
- (b) actuating the first piston to cause contact between the first friction surface and the second friction surface;
- (c) actuating the second piston to cause splines on the driven output to engage splines on the drive input;
- and
- (d) actuating the first piston to disengage the second friction surface from the first friction surface.
12 more elements
A method of operating an aircraft convertible between a rotary flight mode and a non-rotary flight mode, the method comprising:
- (a) operating a turbine engine to:
- (1) provide torque to a proprotor assembly for providing rotor thrust during the rotary-flight mode, the proprotor assembly having a plurality of blades;
- or
- (2) provide engine thrust for propulsion during non-rotary flight mode;
- (b) providing a clutch configured for converting between flight modes, the clutch comprising:
- a first friction element coupling a drive input to the engine;
- a second friction element coupled to a driven output;
- and
- a first actuator configured to cause relative motion between the first friction element and the second friction element;
- and
- a second actuator configured to cause relative motion between the driven output and the drive input;
- and
- (c) operating the clutch by:
- (1) actuating the first actuator to engage the first friction element with the second friction element;
- then
- (2) actuating the second actuator to cause splines on the driven output and splines on the drive input to engage for rotary flight mode or to disengage for non-rotary flight mode;
- and then
- (3) actuating the first actuator to disengage the first friction element from the second friction element.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.