Lead Screw Locking Mechanism
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorIan Miles Gunter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for locking an externally threaded member in place. An apparatus comprises a number of internally threaded members and a shape memory element associated with the number of internally threaded members. The number of internally threaded members is configured to engage the externally threaded member. Changing a baseline shape of the shape memory element to a modified shape either prevents or allows movement of the number of internally threaded members relative to the externally threaded member.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a number of internally threaded members configured to engage an externally threaded member;
- and
- a shape memory element associated with the number of internally threaded members,
- wherein changing a baseline shape of the shape memory element to a modified shape either prevents or allows movement of the number of internally threaded members relative to the externally threaded member.
A locking mechanism comprising:
- a shape memory element associated with a number of internally threaded members engaged with an externally threaded member,
- wherein changing a baseline shape of the shape memory element to a modified shape either prevents or allows movement of the number of internally threaded members relative to the externally threaded member.
A method for operating an externally threaded member with a number of internally threaded members, the method comprising:
- receiving the externally threaded member within the number of internally threaded members;
- and
- changing a baseline shape of a shape memory element associated with the number of internally threaded members to a modified shape to either prevent or allow movement of the number of internally threaded members relative to the externally threaded member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.