Patent US3706431A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3706431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Auxiliary flap actuator for aircraft
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1971-01-14
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1991-01-14
Abstract
Abstract This device controls movement of the wing vane, during the flap and vane deployment cycle. It retains the vane at its retracted position during initial flap motion and, upon attainment of proper flap-vane gap, utilizes the flap''s powered motion to attain both flap and vane extension/retraction, providing a rigid structural interconnect between the flap and vane during the vane deployment cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald G Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:43
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C9/00; B64C9/14; B64C9/16; B64C9/20; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An auxiliary flap actuator for aircraft comprising a tubular housing disposed internally of and secured to fixed structure within a main flap to extend generally in a chordwise direction, a piston mounted for reciprocation within said housing, a drive operative on said piston to move it to the forward end of said housing, a push rod pivotally connected at one end to said piston and at the other end to the auxiliary flap, a lock mechanism carried by said housing at the forward end thereof engageable and disengageable with said piston, and a latch responsive to movement of said main flap in each direction for the operation of said lock mechanism to positions of engagement to connect said push rod in rigid extension from said main flap upon movement of said main flap in one direction and disengagement to release said push rod for reciprocation relative to said main flap upon movement of said main flap in the other direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An auxiliary flap actuator for aircraft comprising a tubular housing disposed internally of and secured to fixed structure within a main flap to extend generally in a chordwise direction, a piston mounted for reciprocation within said housing, a drive operative on said piston to move it to the forward end of said housing, a push rod pivotally connected at one end to said piston and at the other end to the auxiliary flap, a lock mechanism carried by said housing at the forward end thereof engageable and disengageable with said piston, and a latch responsive to movement of said main flap in each direction for the operation of said lock mechanism to positions of engagement to connect said push rod in rigid extension from said main flap upon movement of said main flap in one direction and disengagement to release said push rod for reciprocation relative to said main flap upon movement of said main flap in the other direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The actuator of claim 1 wherein said housing and said piston include coacting, mating elements establishing and maintaining the predetermined, relative radial position thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The actuator of claim 1 wherein said drive includes a compression spring disposed between said piston and the aft end wall of said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The actuator of claim 3 including a guide rod secured to and extending from said housing aft end wall and passing through said compression spring, the transverse dimension of said guide rod being substantially equal to the internal dimension of said compression spring when said spring is in the relaxed condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The actuator of claim 1 wherein a push rod is connected as aforesaid to each flap end and including an adjustment in each said push rod to vary the overall length thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The actuator of claim 1 wherein said latch includes a bellcrank having an arm disposed in the path of movement of a striker carried by said push rod during movement of said main flap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The actuator of claim 6 including a slidable connector mounting said striker to said push rod whereby the position of the former may be adjusted on the latter within a preselected range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The actuator of claim 7 wherein said striker includes a surface having a length and disposition sufficient to insure engagement with said bellcrank arm corresponding to predetermined movement of said main flap as aforesaid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The actuator of claim 1 wherein said lock mechanism includes a lever terminating in a hook and said piston includes an opening defined by a lip having surfaces complemental to said hook to facilitate the entry and withdrawal of said hook into and out of said opening as well as the interengagement thereof when said hook is in said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The actuator of claim 1 wherein said lever is spring-loaded in the direction to engage said lip and said latch includes a bellcrank having one arm disposed in the path of movement of a striker carried by said push rod during movement of said flap and the other arm operative on saiD lever in opposition to the action of its spring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2908454A
Cited
US2836380A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |