Load indicator
AssigneeMessier-Dowty Limited
InventorIan Robert Bennett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An overload detecting assembly comprising a lateral probe (18) which cooperates with a first load bearing member (10) as it moves towards a second load bearing member (11) and in turn deflects an indicator member (20) which may take a permanent set when a yield point is exceeded. Ready inspection of the indicator member reveals whether or not it has been bent. The indicator member may comprise a cantilevered beam (24) formed in a sleeve (20) coaxial with the load bearing members (10, 11). Alternatively, an extension (25) of the probe (18) may deflect laterally at a midpoint under overload conditions. Alternatively, the probe (18) may form an impression in an indicator member (30) under overload conditions.
Claims30
An overload detection assembly comprising:
- a first load bearing member that flexes in response to a load condition to be monitored;
- a probe that cooperates with the first load bearing member to be responsive to the load condition;
- a load indicator comprising a cantilevered beam adapted to be engaged laterally by the probe such that the probe deflects the beam from a first position to give an indication of the load condition, the load indicator being arranged such that under an overload condition the beam does not return to the first position.
A load indicator comprising:
- a pivot pin;
- indicating means for indicating when the pivot pin has exceeded a predetermined load, the means comprising
- a probe configured to be responsive to a load condition and to slide axially within a guide under the to condition and
- a display member that extends axially from the probe and is constrained axially at its distal end so that it is deflected laterally by axial movement of the probe;
- and
- a support member that constrains the distal end of the display member and has a portion fixed adjacent to an intermediate region of the display member to serve as a visual datum for deflection of the display member.
An aircraft landing gear assembly comprising:
- a strut;
- and
- at least one stay pivotally connected to the strut by a pivot pin;
- wherein the pivot pin comprises a load indicator comprising a cantilevered beam adapted to be engaged laterally by a probe that is responsive to a load condition and deflects the beam from a first position to give art indication of the load condition, the load indicator being arranged such that under an overload condition the beam does not return to the first position.
A load indicator comprising:
- a pivot pin;
- and
- indicating means for indicating when the pivot pin has exceeded a predetermined load, the means comprising a probe configured to be responsive to a load condition and to slide axially within a guide under the load condition,
- wherein the means for indicating comprises an impressionable member located to be impacted by the probe when it slides axially so as to record the load condition by an impression in a surface of the impressionable member.
A load indicator comprising:
- a pivot pin;
- and
- indicating means for indicating when the pivot pin has exceeded a predetermined load, the means comprising a probe configured to be responsive to a load condition and to slide axially within a guide under the load condition,
- wherein the pivot pin comprises
- a first load bearing member that flexes laterally in response to a load to be monitored and that causes the probe to slide axially within the guide under the load condition and
- a second load bearing member orientated relative to the first load bearing, member so as to be spaced therefrom under normal load conditions and to be contacted by and loaded by the first load bearing member when the latter is loaded laterally beyond a load limit, the first load bearing member thereafter transferring additional load to the second load bearing member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.