The Boeing Company

Everett Ryan Eaton

Michael L Oleshchuk

Keith Ryan Hollen

Jonathan David Gettinger

Nathan Matthew Knibb

Bryan Michael Loris

Alexander McGregor

Angel L Rodriguez

Perry Thomas Horst

Sean Craig Sundberg

Nathan Adam Kostelecky

Wing deployment apparatus and methods are disclosed herein. An example wing deployment apparatus includes a rotary actuator coupled to a torque coupler having a locking key disposed in an opening. The locking key moves between an outer radial position and an inner radial position. A lead screw is rotationally coupled to the torque coupler. The lead screw has a first recess to accept the locking key when the locking key is in the inner radial position. A nut is threadably engaged to the lead screw and includes a second recess to accept the locking key when the locking key is in the outer radial position. The locking key prevents movement of the nut along the axis of rotation when the locking key is in the outer radial position. A wing is operatively coupled to the nut to move the wing to a deployed position.

Wing deployment apparatus and methods for aircraft

An inlet cover mechanism for an air launched vehicle includes a quick release pin, a chassis, a collar, and a piston pin. The inlet cover mechanism facilitates attachment and deployment of an inlet cover with the air launched vehicle. The quick release pin is connected to the inlet cover. The chassis is connected to the air launched vehicle. The collar is connected to the chassis and is releasably engageable with the quick release pin. The piston pin is slidably engaged within the chassis and is configured to contact the quick release pin.

Inlet cover mechanism

A wing lock and deployment apparatus for an air launched vehicle includes a driver acted on by a single linear actuation event. The disclosed wing lock and deployment apparatus is capable of unlocking deployable wings of an air launched vehicle, deploying deployable wings of the air launched vehicle from a stored position, and locking deployable wings of the air launched vehicle in a deployed position in sequential order with the one single linear actuation event.

Wing lock and deployment mechanism

A wing lock and deployment apparatus for an air launched vehicle includes a ball screw and driver acted on by a single actuation event. The disclosed wing lock and deployment apparatus is capable of unlocking deployable wings of an air launched vehicle, deploying deployable wings of the air launched vehicle from a stored position, and locking deployable wings of the air launched vehicle in a deployed position in sequential order with the one single actuation event.

Growing community of inventors

Saint Charles, MO, United States of America

Everett Ryan Eaton