Retractable sensor system for an aircraft
AssigneeMcDonnell Douglas Corporation
InventorsWilliam Arthur Sommer, Robert Henry Wille
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A retractable sensor system (12) for an aircraft has a sensor (16) coupled to an actuation mechanism (18). The sensor (16) moves from a retracted position to an expanded position. A reinforced elastomer section (14) in an exterior surface (48) of the aircraft covers the sensor (16) and the actuation mechanism (18). The reinforced elastomer section (14) has an interior surface and an exterior surface and the sensor (16) has a portion adjacent to the interior surface. The reinforced elastomer section (14) has a flush position and an expanded position.
Claims21
A retractable sensor system for an aircraft, comprising:
- a sensor;
- an actuation mechanism coupled to the sensor and moving the sensor from a first position to a second position;
- and
- a reinforced elastomer section in an exterior surface of the aircraft, the reinforced elastomer section having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the sensor having a portion adjacent to the interior surface, the reinforced elastomer section having a flush position and an expanded position and the reinforced elastomer section includes a plurality of rods that slide freely inside the elastomer skin.
A retractable sensor system for an aircraft comprising:
- an electro optic sensor;
- a translatig mechanism connected to the electro optic sensor;
- a pair of ramps coupled to the aircraft and joined by an elastomer skin, the electro optic sensor adjacent to the elastomer skin, the pair of ramps having a flush position and an extended position;
- a first reinforced elastomer panel connected to a first edge of the pair of ramps and a portion of the aircraft;
- and
- a second reinforced elastomer panel connected to a second edge of the pair of ramps and a second portion of the aircraft.
A retractable antenna system for an aircraft, comprising:
- a frame;
- an antenna attached to the frame;
- a pivoting mechanism attached to the frame having a retracted position and an extended position;
- and
- a reinforced elastomer panel coupled to a perimeter of the frame and to an edge of a rigid portion of the aircraft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.