The Boeing Company

Keith Ryan Hollen

Michael L Oleshchuk

Everett Ryan Eaton

Nathan Matthew Knibb

Jonathan David Gettinger

Bryan Michael Loris

Sean Craig Sundberg

Alexander McGregor

Angel L Rodriguez

Perry Thomas Horst

Hans Luke Heindl

Nathan Adam Kostelecky

Tim W Hossfeld

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.

The present disclosure provides an assembly including at least one adjustable coupling mechanism. In one aspect, the first coupling mechanism includes a first component having a central axis parallel to its outside surface. The first component further includes an inside surface defined by a bore formed in the first component along a central bore axis. The central bore axis is offset from the central axis. The first component can be coupled to the assembly, uncoupled, rotated about its central axis, and recoupled to change a distance between the first coupling mechanism and another part of the assembly. The first component further includes a plurality of holes formed circumferentially around the bore bottom and extending through the bore bottom and the bottom surface of the first component that can be used to removably couple the first component to the assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Saint Charles, MO, United States of America

Keith Ryan Hollen