Thrust reverser actuator with an automatic relock and lock drop prevention mechanism
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsKevin K. Chakkera, Donald J. Christensen, Andrew T. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thrust reverser system includes one or more actuators each having a locking mechanism that prevents unintended actuator movement, and thus unintended thrust reverser movement. Each of the actuators additionally includes a lock inhibitor assembly that engages the lock and prevents it from moving to its locked position until the actuator is moved into a stow position. Upon movement to the stow position, the lock inhibitor assembly disengages the lock, and the lock automatically moves into its locked position.
Claims26
A system for moving a thrust reverser, comprising:
- at least one power source operable to supply a drive force;
- at least two drive mechanisms each coupled to receive the drive force;
- and
- at least two actuator assemblies, each actuator assembly coupled to at least one of the drive mechanisms and operable to move, upon receipt of the driving force, between a stowed position and a deployed position, at least one of the actuator assemblies having
- a housing,
- a drive shaft rotationally mounted within the housing, the drive shaft having a gear portion, a lock portion, and a first end adapted to couple to at least one of the drive mechanisms,
- an actuator extending from the housing and having a drive gear mounted to engage the gear portion of the drive shaft,
- a lock assembly movably mounted on the housing and selectively operable to move between a locked and an unlocked position, whereby the lock assembly engages and disengages the drive shaft lock portion in the locked and unlocked position, respectively, to thereby prevent and allow rotation thereof, respectively, and
- a lock inhibitor assembly mounted on the housing and selectively operable to move between an engaged and a disengaged position, whereby the lock inhibitor engages the lock assembly in the engaged position to thereby prevent movement thereof to the locked position.
A thrust reverser actuator assembly for use in a system having at least one drive mechanism for moving a thrust reverser between deployed and stowed positions, the actuator assembly comprising:
- a housing;
- a drive shaft rotationally mounted within the housing, the drive shaft having a gear portion, a lock portion, and a first end adapted to couple to at least one of the drive mechanisms;
- an actuator extending from the housing and having a drive gear mounted to engage the gear portion of the drive shaft;
- a lock assembly movably mounted on the housing and selectively operable to move between a locked and an unlocked position, whereby the lock assembly engages and disengages the drive shaft lock portion in the locked and unlocked position, respectively, to thereby prevent and allow rotation thereof, respectively;
- and
- a lock inhibitor assembly mounted on the housing and selectively operable to move between an engaged and a disengaged position, whereby the lock inhibitor engages the lock assembly in the engaged position to thereby prevent movement thereof to the locked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.