Balance load actuator
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorSam Shiao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a balance load actuator for effecting motion between a first part and a second part. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a main housing; a shaft; a motion transfer assembly; and a load balancing assembly. The balance load actuator receives substantial external loads through a load balance assembly and distributes the loads to the main housing, thus relieving undue stress otherwise exerted on the shaft and enabling lighter and smaller design components and construct.
Claims22
An apparatus for effecting movement of a movable member relative to a structural member, the apparatus comprising:
- a main housing;
- a motion transfer assembly mechanically associated with the housing;
- the motion transfer assembly including a shaft;
- a load balancing assembly mechanically associated with the housing for receiving a load and distributing it directly to the main housing;
- and
- a rod end having an eye, a foot, and a shank, the foot of the rod end mechanically associated with the shaft;
- the load balancing assembly including:
- a spring housing having a base;
- a spring having one end and a distal end, the one end affixed to the base of the spring housing;
- and
- an end cap with an inside diameter and a beveled edge;
- wherein the shank is mechanically associated with the inside diameter of the end cap.
An apparatus for effecting movement between a structural member and a movable member, the apparatus comprising:
- a main housing having a tail end connected to the structural member;
- a shaft connected to the main housing;
- a gear assembly mechanically associated with the shaft and the main housing;
- a motor mechanically associated with the shaft and the gear assembly;
- a rod end having an eye, a shank, and a foot;
- with the eye of the rod end connected to the movable member and with the foot of the rod end mechanically associated with the shaft;
- a spring housing having a base and a side;
- a connector affixing the base of the spring housing to the main housing;
- a spring for receiving a load and distributing the load to the main housing via the base of the spring housing and the connector, the spring having one end and a distal end, with the one end affixed to the base of the spring housing;
- and
- an end cap, including a beveled edge, to which the distal end of the spring is affixed, with the end cap surrounding and interacting with the shank of the rod end.
An apparatus for effecting movement of an aircraft door panel relative to a movable member, the apparatus comprising:
- a main housing having a tail end connected to the aircraft door panel;
- a shaft connected to the main housing;
- a gear assembly mechanically associated with the shaft and the housing;
- a motor mechanically associated with the shaft and the gear assembly;
- a rod end having an eye, a shank, and a foot with the eye of the rod end connected to the movable member and with the foot of the rod end mechanically associated with the shaft;
- a spring housing having:
- a side;
- and
- a base having a threaded joint articulated to the main housing;
- a spring for receiving a load and distributing the load to the main housing via the base of the spring housing and the threaded joint, the spring having one end and a distal end, with the one end affixed to the base of the spring housing;
- and
- a disk forming an aperture therein, with the disk having an inside diameter with threading mechanically associated with the shank of the rod end, an outside perimeter area to which the distal end of the spring is affixed, and a beveled edge.
An aircraft door panel assembly having a load balancing actuator, the load balancing actuator comprising:
- an aircraft structure;
- a movable member;
- a main housing having a tail end connected to the aircraft structure;
- a rod end having an eye, a shank, and a foot, with the eye of the rod end connected to the movable member;
- a shaft mechanically associated with the foot of the rod end;
- a gear assembly mechanically associated with the shaft and the housing;
- a motor mechanically associated with the shaft and the gear assembly;
- a spring housing having a side, a base, and a connector, the connector connecting the base of the spring housing to the main housing;
- a spring for receiving a load and distributing the load to the main housing via the base of the spring housing and the connector, the spring having one end and a distal end, with the one end affixed to the base of the spring housing;
- and
- an end cap having an inside diameter and a beveled edge;
- wherein the end cap is affixed to the distal end of the spring.
A method for effecting movement of a movable member relative to a structural member, the method comprising steps of:
- transferring motion from a motion transfer assembly to a shaft associated with a main housing to selectively extend and retract the shaft from and into the main housing;
- receiving a load from an external source by a load balancing assembly;
- and
- transferring the load from the load balancing assembly to the main housing and the structural member;
- wherein the load balancing assembly includes;
- a spring housing having a base;
- a spring having one end and a distal end, the one end affixed to the base of the spring housing;
- and
- an end cap with an inside diameter and a beveled edge.
A method for effecting movement between a structural member and a movable member, the method comprising steps of:
- transferring motion from a motor to a shaft via a gear assembly, with the shaft and the gear assembly associated with a main housing;
- selectively expanding and compressing a spring attached to spring housing and an end cap, with the end cap surrounding and interacting with a rod end attached to the shaft;
- driving the end cap axially in a direction away from a tail end of the main housing;
- and
- transferring a load from an external source to the main housing via the rod end, the end cap, and the spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.