Failure detector and indicator for aircraft flap actuation system
AssigneesThe Boeing Company, Aeritalia S.p.A.
InventorVirgilio Comollo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Detecting and indicating the failure of the primary drive train of a flap actuator system that includes primary and secondary drive trains driven by a common power supply is disclosed. When the primary drive trains fails, a free motion zone formed between the common power supply and the secondary drive train is crossed. Crossing of the free motion zone causes the position of an electro-mechanical sensor (or sensors) to change. The change in position of the electro-mechanical sensor(s) creates or changes the value of an electrical signal or signals to provide an indication of the failure of the primary drive train.
Claims29
A method of detecting and indicating the failure of the primary drive train of an actuator system that includes a primary and a secondary drive train, said secondary drive train adapted to shift from a non-driving state to a driving state upon failure of the primary drive train, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a free motion zone in said secondary drive train;
- sensing when the free motion zone is crossed;
- and,
- providing an indication that the free motion zone has been crossed.
A method of detecting and indicating the failure of the primary drive train of an aircraft flap actuator system that includes a power driven primary drive train for applying power to the flap actuators associated with each of the two wings of the airplane and a power driven secondary drive train for applying power to the flap actuators associated with each of the two wings of the aircraft upon failure of the primary drive train, said method comprising the steps of:
- forming a free motion zone in the coupling system coupling the power supply to the secondary drive train;
- sensing when the free motion zone is crossed, which condition occurs when the primary drive train fails;
- and,
- providing an indication that the free motion zone has been crossed.
Apparatus for detecting and indicating the failure of the primary drive train of an actuator system that includes a primary and secondary drive train, said secondary drive train including a coupling system for coupling power between a driven torque tube, and at least one secondary torque tube, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one free motion zone formed in said coupling system;
- at least one detecting means for detecting the crossing of said at least one free motion zone;
- and,
- an indicating means coupled to said at least one detecting means for providing an indication of the crossing of said at least one free motion zone.
A coupling unit for connecting a drive torque tube to at least one driven torque tube, including means for providing an indication of the application of driving power from said drive torque tube to said at least one driven torque tube, said coupling unit comprising:
- a first gear affixed to the end of said drive torque tube;
- a second gear affixed to the end of said at least one driven torque tube and arrayed so as to mesh with said first gear;
- a free motion zone formed between one of said first gear and said drive torque tube and said at least one driven torque tube and said second gear;
- detecting means mounted so as to detect the crossing of said free motion zone;
- and,
- indicating means coupled to said detecting means for providing an indication when said detecting means detects that said free motion zone has been crossed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.