Expanding pin assembly controlled by actuator for locking and unlocking mechanical joint
AssigneeSierra Space Corporation
InventorsJake Crine, Benjamin Paul Cunningham, Alec B. Devereaux, Sonny J. Lewis, Jonathan Peritt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An expanding pin system is described that can provide automated and/or power controlled locking and unlocking of an expanding pin assembly in a mechanical joint. For example, the expanding pin system can include an actuation assembly that includes a single actuator (e.g., motor) to control an expanding pin assembly for locking and unlocking a mechanical joint.
Claims19
A method of an expanding pin system coupled to a mechanical joint associated with a deployable wing of an aircraft, comprising:
- actuating an actuation assembly of the expanding pin system to provide a first output, the actuation assembly being operatively coupled to a pin driving assembly of the expanding pin system, the pin driving system comprising a carrier operably coupled to the actuation assembly such that actuation of the actuation assembly to provide the first output causes the carrier to rotate and translate a first distance towards the mechanical joint;
- rotating, as a result of the first output and rotation of the carrier, a ring gear that is operably coupled to an expanding pin assembly including an expandable part;
- and
- advancing, as a result of the rotating of the ring gear, the expandable part across at least a part of the mechanical joint for locking the mechanical joint.
A method of an expanding pin system coupled to a mechanical joint associated with a deployable wing of an aircraft, comprising:
- actuating an actuation assembly of the expanding pin system to provide a first output, the actuation assembly being operatively coupled to a pin driving assembly of the expanding pin system, the pin driving assembly comprising a carrier operably coupled to the actuation assembly such that actuation of the actuation assembly to provide the first output causes the carrier to translate a first distance towards the mechanical joint;
- advancing, as a result of the carrier rotating and translating the first distance, an expandable part across at least a part of the mechanical joint;
- and
- disengaging, as a result of the first output, a detent feature of the pin driving assembly from a sun gear operatively coupled to the carrier, the disengaging allowing the expandable part to lock the mechanical joint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.