Thrust reverser system with sequential torque decoupler
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorDonald J. Christensen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An aircraft thrust reverser system that includes a power drive unit operable to supply a drive force. The power drive unit includes a motor and a torque decoupler that sequentially decouples the power drive unit from a plurality of loads. The torque decoupler includes at least two output sections, each of which is coupled to the motor, and are not coupled to one another under normal operating circumstances. The output sections are each operable to decouple the motor from associated thrust reverser moveable components upon a torque magnitude being reached in the output section. The torque decoupler is configured so that the first and second output sections are coupled together a deadband time period after the torque magnitude is reached in on of the output sections.
Claims25
A thrust reverser control system, comprising:
- a motor having an output shaft and operable to supply a drive force;
- at least two drive mechanisms each coupled to receive the drive force;
- 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 drive force, between a stowed position and a deployed position;
- and
- a torque decoupler assembly coupled between the motor output shaft and two of the drive mechanisms, whereby the drive force is transmitted from the motor to the drive mechanisms, the torque decoupler assembly including a first output section and a second output section, wherein:
- the first output section is coupled to the motor output shaft and is operable to (i) decouple the motor from one of the drive mechanisms upon a first torque magnitude being reached in the first output section and (ii) engage the second output section a time period after the first torque magnitude is reached, and
- the second output section is coupled to the motor output shaft and is operable to (i) decouple the motor from the other drive mechanism upon a second torque magnitude being reached in the second output section and (ii) engage the first output section a time period after the second torque magnitude is reached.
A power drive unit, comprising:
- a motor having an output shaft and operable to supply a drive force to at least a first load and a second load;
- a first output section coupled to the motor output shaft;
- and
- a second output section coupled to the motor output shaft,
- wherein:
- the first output section is operable to (i) decouple the motor from the first load upon a first torque magnitude being reached in the first output section and (ii) engage the second output section a time period after the first torque magnitude is reached, and
- the second output section is operable to (i) decouple the motor from the second load upon a second torque magnitude being reached in the second output section and (ii) engage the first output section a time period after the second torque magnitude is reached.
A torque decoupler assembly operable to decouple at least a first and a second load from a single motor output shaft, comprising:
- a first output section;
- and
- a second output section,
- wherein:
- the first output section is adapted to couple to the motor output shaft and operable to (i) decouple the motor output shaft from the first load upon a first torque magnitude being reached in the first output section and (ii) engage a second output section a time period after the first torque magnitude is reached;
- and
- the second output section is adapted to couple to the motor output shaft and operable to (i) decouple the motor output shaft from the second load upon a second torque magnitude being reached in the second output section and (ii) engage the first output section a time period after the second torque magnitude is reached.
A torque decoupler assembly operable to decouple at least a first and a second load from a single motor output shaft, comprising:
- a first output section adapted to couple to the motor output shaft and operable to (i) decouple the motor from the first load upon a first torque magnitude being reached in the first output section and (ii) engage a second output section a time period after the first torque magnitude is reached;
- and
- a second output section adapted to couple to the motor output shaft and operable to (i) decouple the motor from the second load upon a second torque magnitude being reached in the second output section and (ii) engage the first output section a time period after the second torque magnitude is reached,
- wherein the first and second output sections each comprise:
- a plate including at least a peripheral surface and an engagement surface,
- one or more shear pin receptacles in the peripheral surface, and
- an engagement mechanism and a contact mechanism each formed on the engagement surface and spaced apart from one another, the spacing thereof setting the time period,
- wherein the contact mechanisms contact the engagement mechanisms the time period after either the first or second torque magnitudes is reached;
- a drive ring adapted to couple to the motor output shaft and having at least two shear pin receptacles formed in a surface thereof, at least one of the drive ring shear pin receptacles substantially aligned with at least one of the shear pin receptacles in the plate peripheral surface of each of the first and second output sections;
- two or more shear pins, each inserted into one of the drive ring shear pin receptacles and one of the shear pin receptacles in one of the first and second plates;
- and
- a quill shaft coupled to the second output section and extending through the motor output shaft, the quill shaft adapted to couple to at least one drive mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.