Structures to limit collision damage for aircraft
AssigneeScientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc.
InventorsKeenan A. Wyrobek, Gavin K. Ananda Krishnan, Brendan J.D. Wade, Philip M. Green, Randall R. Patterson
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Abstract
Described herein is an aircraft. The aircraft includes a peripheral assembly, such as a sensor probe. The aircraft further includes a release assembly connecting the peripheral assembly to a portion of the aircraft. The release assembly is configured to separate the peripheral assembly and the portion upon receipt of a threshold force. The release assembly may be configured to allow for the quick release, such as via a snap-fit connection, between the peripheral assembly and the portion of the aircraft.
Claims18
An aircraft comprising:
- a portion of the aircraft having a wing assembly and
- a peripheral assembly comprising:
- a sensor probe;
- and
- a breakaway mechanism connecting the peripheral assembly to the portion of the aircraft having the wing assembly wherein the breakaway mechanism separates from the peripheral assembly and the portion of the aircraft upon receipt of a threshold impact force, the breakaway mechanism comprising:
- a connecting feature that facilitates a secure connection between the portion of the aircraft and the peripheral assembly;
- wherein the connecting feature is a sacrificial component that is configured to fail in a predetermined manner upon the breakaway mechanism receiving the threshold impact force, permitting separation of the peripheral assembly from the portion of the aircraft.
A method comprising:
- securing a connection between a portion of an aircraft having a wing assembly and a peripheral assembly with a breakaway mechanism, the breakaway mechanism comprising:
- a connecting feature that is configured to secure the connection between the portion of the aircraft and the peripheral assembly, wherein the connecting feature is a sacrificial component that is configured to fail in a predetermined manner upon the breakaway mechanism receiving a threshold impact force, permitting separation of the peripheral assembly from the portion of the aircraft;
- releasing the peripheral assembly from the wing assembly via the sacrificial component failing in the predetermined manner via receiving the threshold impact force;
- wherein the portion remains substantially intact during the releasing of the peripheral assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.