The Boeing Company

Mark H Smith

Michael E Renzelmann

Alan D Marx

Neal Van Huynh

Leonard J Inderhees

Paul Jay Cline

Mark J Gucker

Munior Orgun

John Jackson

Alexander Craig Oleson

Gregory T Stramat

A reliably redundant PCU for an aircraft. The PCU includes an override mechanism coupled to the aircraft's control path and a first control member coupled to the override mechanism whereby the override mechanism attempts to transmit a command from the command path to the first control member. The unit also includes a second control member coupled to the control path whereby the command path transmits the command to the second control member. Additionally, the PCU includes two actuator members coupled to the control members whereby the actuator members attempt to move in response to the command. If the first control member resists moving the override mechanism allows the second control member to actuate the rudder. The PCU also includes a common actuator coupled to the actuator members and the control surface, whereby the actuator moves the control surface. Moreover, a unitary housing contains the first and the second actuator members.

Enhanced rudder control system

A thrust reverser synchronization shaft lock system that includes a sync lock control valve (50) and two hydraulically controlled sync locks (60) attached to the synchronization shafts (5) of a jet engine thrust reverser system, is disclosed. The thrust reverser system further comprises an isolation valve (45), a directional control valve (47), a plurality of actuators (19), and synchronization shafts (5). The sync locks (60) are capable via the synchronization shafts (5) of preventing the actuators (19) from deploying the thrust reversers of the jet engines. The sync locks (60) remain in a locked state until an independent control signal sent from the flight deck positively instructs the sync lock control valve (50) to unlock the sync locks (60), ensuring that the unlocking of the sync locks (60) corresponds to a valid thrust reverser deploy signal. The sync locks (60) each comprise a housing (65), a connection means to one of the synchronization shafts (5), a rotating jaw (75) for connection to one of the synchronization shafts (5), a sliding jaw (81), an unlock latch (106), a lock spring (87), and a manual release mechanism (99). Normally the lock spring (87) causes teeth on the sliding jaw (81) to engage teeth on the rotating jaw (75). Hydraulic pressure forces the sliding jaw (81) to move away from the rotating jaw (75) to unlock the sync locks 60.

Thrust reverser synchronization shaft lock

A hydraulic power drive unit (36) including a linear hydraulic piston cylinder unit (64) with a set of longitudinally spaced gear teeth (84) in the form of a rack. A pinion gear (86) is operatively engaged and driven by the rack (84). A differential which may include a carrier (102), planet gears (108, 110) and sun gears (120, 122) may be driven by the pinion gear (86) to selectively transfer drive power to two separate rotary drive outputs (38, 40). A switching valve (160) may be provided which is responsive to a reversal of hydraulic supply pressure. Operation of the switching valve (160) may be limited by mechanical interference between an inhibit dog (181) and a cam surface (196) on the carrier (102). The carrier (102) may also include a separate cam surface (140) positioned for actuation of separate electrical switches (146, 148) in order to monitor position of the drive outputs (38, 40).

Hydraulic power drive unit

A latch pin actuator (34) for use in connection with an aircraft (10) having folding wings or wing tips (12). The actuator (34) includes housing (38) mountable to a wing portion (12, 16). A latch pin (21) in the form of a hydraulic cylinder is slidably mounted within the housing (38) and on a piston (44) which is fixed to the housing (38). Variable volume fluid chambers (46, 48) are defined in the cylinder body of the latch pin (21). A primary lock member (58) is movable between locked and unlocked positions such that retraction of the latch pin (21) is prevented when the primary lock (58) is in a locked position. In preferred form, a hydraulic actuator (78) is used to move the primary lock member (58) between locked and unlocked positions and to operate a sequencing valve which delivers hydraulic pressure to a chamber (48) of the latch pin (21) after actuation of the primary lock (58). The latch pin actuator (34) may also include a secondary lock member (60) which can be ganged to operate in unison with adjacent latch pin actuators (34).

Locking hydraulic latch pin actuator

A plurality of latch pins are locked into a latch position by primary locks and secondary locks. Each primary lock mechanically blocks movement of its corresponding secondary lock into the secondary lock's locked position when the primary lock is out of its locked position. The secondary locks are ganged together to cause them to move together into and out from their locked positions. A follow-up switch senses movement of the ganging mechanism. A latch pin inhibitor blocks movement of the latch pin into the latch position and is moved away to permit latching by spreading of the wing tip. The inhibitor is linked to a valve to shift the valve and thereby cause hydraulic pressure to be supplied to extend the latch pin. When the locks are in their looked positions, the secondary locks mechanically block the primary locks from moving out of their locked positions. The secondary locks are biased into their locked positions. During flight, the latch pins and locks are isolated from hydraulic pressure. Spreading, latching, and locking procedures are carried out automatically following manual actuation of a control member. A hydraulic actuator that moves the wing-tip between folded and spread positions acts as a strut to hold the wing tip in the folded position.

Folding wing-tip system

A plurality of radially extendable/retractable lock bolts (LB) are carried by a piston head (PH). A cylinder body (CB) in which the piston head (PH) is located includes a lock-bolt cavity (52) or cavities. When the actuator is in a lock position (fully extended or fully retracted), the lock bolt or bolts (LB) are in radial alignment with the lock bolt cavity or cavities. A locking piston (LP) within the actuator is movable axially to place a bolt block (62) radially inwardly of the lock bolt or bolts (LB), to in such position block the lock bolt or bolts (LB) against a radial inward movement out from the lock bolt cavity (52) or cavities. The locking piston (LP) includes a piston face (60) against which hydraulic fluid pressure may be directed, to move the locking piston (LP) axially, for retracting the bolt block (62) out from its position radially inwardly of the lock bolt or bolts (LB). This frees the lock bolt or bolts (LB) so that they can move radially inwardly, out from the lock bolt cavity 52 or cavities.

Hydraulic actuator with mechanical lock and installation

A folding wing tip (14) on an aircraft (2) carries a lug (16) that moves into alignment with lugs (6, 10) on the inboard wing portion (4) as the wings spread. The lug (16) pivots an inhibitor (28) that is interconnected by linkage to a valve spool (122). The pivoting of the inhibitor (28) causes the spool (122) to shift its position so that a sense port is brought into communication with a return port. Return pressure in the sense port indicates a spread wing condition. When the wing tip (14) is folded, springs move the inhibitor (28) and the valve spool (122) back to their original positions. This communicates the sense port with a pressure port to indicate a folded wing condition. The spool (122) is preferably also biased into its original position by fluid pressure. In addition, the lug (16) has a cam (92) that engages a roller (84) carried by the inhibitor (28) when the wing tip (14) is moved into a folded position. Abutment of the cam (92) and roller (84) pivots the inhibitor (28) back into its original position.

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Vashon Island, WA, United States of America

Mark H Smith