Thrust reverser system with a pass-through torque activated brake
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorDonald J. Christensen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thrust reverser system that includes a pass-through torque activated brake assembly that limits the torque applied in portions of the thrust reverser system drive train. The brake assembly includes two plates that are coupled together with a torsion spring. When a predetermined torque is applied to the torsion spring, the torsion spring displaces the plates from one another. Balls that are positioned in cammed grooves in each of the plates causes the plates to translate away from one another and contact brake surfaces to thereby limit the torque in the drive train.
Claims17
A control system for moving a thrust reverser, comprising:
- at least one drive motor operable to supply a driving force;
- at least two actuators operably coupled to receive the driving force from the motor to thereby move the thrust reverser between a stowed position and a deployed position;
- at least one synchronization mechanism mechanically coupling the actuators and configured to maintain the actuators in substantial synchronization with one another upon receipt, by the actuators, of the driving force;
- and
- a torque activated brake assembly operably coupled between at least one drive motor and at least one synchronization mechanism, the torque limiter being activated upon a predetermined torque value being reached between each operably coupled motor and synchronization mechanism, the torque activated brake assembly including:
- a first plate having an exterior side, an interior side, and an opening extending therebetween,
- at least two grooves formed in the first plate interior side, the grooves each having a cam surface located at a predetermined angle,
- a second plate having an exterior side, an interior side, and an opening extending therebetween, the second plate interior side positioned opposed to the first plate interior side,
- at least two grooves formed in the second plate interior side and substantially aligned with at least two of the grooves in the first plate, the grooves in the second plate each having a cam surface located at a predetermined angle,
- at least two balls, each positioned in the aligned grooves, and
- a torsion spring having a first end coupled within the first plate opening and a second end coupled within the second plate opening.
A control system for moving a thrust reverser, comprising:
- at least two actuators operably coupled to receive a driving force to thereby move the thrust reverser between a stowed position and a deployed position;
- at least two synchronization mechanisms mechanically coupling the actuators and configured to maintain the actuators in substantial synchronization with one another upon receipt, by the actuators, of the driving force;
- and
- a torque activated brake assembly operably coupled between at least two synchronization mechanisms, the brake assembly being activated upon a predetermined torque value being reached between the operably coupled synchronization mechanisms, the brake assembly including:
- a first plate having an exterior side, an interior side, and an opening extending therebetween,
- at least two grooves formed in the first plate interior side, the grooves each having a cam surface located at a predetermined angle,
- a second plate having an exterior side, an interior side, and an opening extending therebetween, the second plate interior side positioned opposed to the first plate interior side,
- at least two grooves formed in the second plate interior side and substantially aligned with at least two of the grooves in the first plate, the grooves in the second plate each having a cam surface located at a predetermined angle,
- at least two balls, each positioned in the aligned grooves, and
- a torsion spring having a first end coupled within the first plate opening and a second end coupled within the second plate opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.