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US 2012/0242097 A1Published application
Pressure relief latch, high repeatability
AssigneeHartwell Corporation
InventorJames R. Hernandez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pressure relief latch for use in securing panels on an air-craft. The latch includes an apparatus and method to retain the latch in a latched condition under certain conditions. The latch includes a detention assembly which includes at least a portion which has a coefficient of thermal expansion which differs from a housing of the latch.
Claims2
A pressure relief latch mechanism comprising:
- a housing;
- a bolt coupled to the housing for pivotal movement between a first position and a second position the bolt formed to include a detent and a groove extending from the detent;
- a detention assembly configured to be positioned within the housing and including a detent ball, a ball support for supporting the ball, a detent spring and an expansion spacer wherein the expansion spacer has a coefficient of thermal expansion that differs from that of the housing;
- wherein the detent ball is configured to engage the detent when the bolt is in the closed position and roll along the groove when the bolt is moved to an open position.
1 more element
A method of maintaining an panel in a closed position comprising the steps of:
- attaching a latch mechanism to the panel wherein the latch mechanism includes a housing, a bolt coupled to the housing for pivotal movement between a first position and a second position the bolt formed to include a detent and a groove extending from the detent, and a detention assembly configured to be positioned within the housing and including a detent ball, a ball support for supporting the ball, a detent spring an expansion spacer wherein the expansion spacer has a coefficient of thermal expansion that differs from that of the housing;
- adjusting the detention assembly to adjust the retention force used to hold the panel in a closed position;
- and
- closing the panel so the bolt of the latch mechanism holds the panel in a closed position.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.