Thrust reverser actuation system lock tester

A test system for testing operation of a thrust reverser actuator lock for an aircraft thrust reverser actuation system, the test system comprising:

• a controllable actuator configured to actuate an actuator output between a predetermined first position and a second position different from the predetermined first position;
• an actuator lock controllable to a locked configuration configured to prevent movement of the controllable actuator output beyond a predetermined distance away from the predetermined first position toward the second position, and an unlocked configuration in which movement of the actuator output beyond the predetermined distance is permitted;
• a position feedback sensor configured to provide a position feedback signal representative of a position of the actuator output;
• a processing circuit configured to:
• control the actuator lock to the locked configuration;
• initiate, with the actuator lock in the locked configuration, actuation of the actuator output away from the predetermined first position;
• receive the position feedback signal;
• determine, based on the received position feedback signal, a third position of the actuator output;
• determine a nominal condition of the actuator lock based on determining that (i) the third position is within a predetermined threshold distance from the predetermined first position and that (ii) the actuator lock is in the locked configuration;
• and
• provide a signal indicative of the nominal condition.

A non-transitory computer storage medium encoded with a computer program, the computer program comprising instructions that when executed by data processing apparatus cause a data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:

• determining that an actuator output of a thrust reverser actuator is at a predetermined first position;
• locking a thrust reverser actuator lock configured to prevent movement of the actuator output away from the predetermined first position when the actuator lock is in a locked configuration;
• initiating, with the actuator lock in the locked configuration, actuation of the actuator output away from the predetermined first position;
• determining, based on a position feedback signal, a second position of the actuator output;
• determining a nominal condition of the thrust reverser actuator lock based on determining that (i) the second position is within a predetermined threshold distance from the predetermined first position of the actuator output, and (ii) the actuator lock is in the locked configuration;
• and
• providing, based on the determined nominal condition, a signal indicative of the nominal condition.