US3731546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power operable pivot joint
Assignee: Sundstrand Corp
•
Filing: 1971-12-01
•
Granted: 1973-05-08
•
Expires: 1991-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A power operable pivot joint for mounting and actuating a trailing edge flap or the like on an airplane wing, including a pair of laterally spaced bearing rings having outwardly projecting support arms adapted to be secured to an airplane wing, an annular member pivotally mounted on the bearing rings for movement about a pivot axis and having a outwardly projecting arm adapted to be attached to a wing flap, a set of angularly spaced keys disposed in the bearing rings and secured thereto, a set of angularly spaced keys disposed in the pivoted member and secured thereto, an actuator disposed in the bearing rings and pivoted member and having angularly spaced guide grooves respectively cooperating with said keys, one of the sets of keys and cooperating grooves being helical about the pivot axis so that axial movement of the actuator causes pivotal movement of the pivoted member, housing means secured to the bearing rings and enclosing the actuator, and means mounted in the housing and connected for moving the actuator axially of the pivot axis. In one embodiment, a screw shaft is mounted in the housing means against bearings for absorbing the axial thrust of the shaft, and the actuator is threadably mounted on the shaft for movement of the actuator on rotation of the shaft. In another embodiment, the housing includes means defining expansible fluid chambers at opposite ends of the actuator for receiving fluid under pressure to move the actuator back and forth. In another embodiment, there are dual actuators controlled by oppositely threaded portions on a single screw shaft. An important aspect of each construction resides in the utilization of angularly spaced keys and cooperating grooves at the outer surface of the actuator, all having the same pitch radius about the pivot axis for even distribution of the loads.
Inventors
- 👤 J Macdonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:48
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B15/00; F15B15/02; F15B15/06; F15B15/068; B; B64; B64C; B64C13/00; F16; F16H; F16H25/00; F16H25/04; F16H25/18; F16H25/186; F16H25/20; F16H25/22; F16H25/2204; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056; Y10T74/18296; Y10T74/18304; Y10T74/18312; Y10T74/1836; Y10T74/18568; Y10T74/18576; Y10T74/18672
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A power operable pivot joint, comprising, a. support means, b. a member pivotally mounted on the support means for movement about a pivot axis, c. an actuator mounted for movement longitudinally of the pivot axis, d. cooperating cam means on the actuator and the support means providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the support means, e. cooperating cam means on the actuator and the pivoted member providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the pivoted member, f. one of said cam means being inclined relative to the pivot axis so that longitudinal movement of the actuator effects pivotal movement of the pivoted member, g. both of said cam means having the same pitch diameter about the pivot axis, and h. the cam means on the support means and the pivoted member being coextensive in length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A power operable pivot joint, comprising, a. support means, b. a member pivotally mounted on the support means for movement about a pivot axis, c. an actuator mounted for movement longitudinally of the pivot axis, d. cooperating cam means on the actuator and the support means providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the support means, e. cooperating cam means on the actuator and the pivoted member providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the pivoted member, f. one of said cam means being inclined relative to the pivot axis so that longitudinal movement of the actuator effects pivotal movement of the pivoted member, g. both of said cam means having the same pitch diameter about the pivot axis, and h. the cam means on the support means and the pivoted member being coextensive in length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 1, wherein both of the cam means on the actuator are coextensive in length.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A power operated pivot joint as defined in claim 1, including means on the support means defining expansible fluid chambers at opposite ends of the actuator for receiving fluid under pressure to move the actuator back and forth, and an outer surface on the actuator between the expansible chambers formed with cams cooperating with cams on the support means and pivoted member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A power operated pivot joint as defined in claim 1, including a screw shaft rotatably mounted on the support means and extending through the actuator, an inner threaded bore in the actuator threadably connected with the screw shaft, and an outer surface on the actuator around the threaded bore formed with cams cooperating with cams on the support means and pivoted member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A power operated pivot joint as defined in claim 1, wherein the first recited cam means is disposed helically relative to the pivot axis, and the last recited cam means is disposed parallel to the pivot axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A power operated pivot joint as defined in claim 1, wherein the actuator has a generally cylindrical outer surface and the first recited cam means includes a key on the support means and a cooperating groove in the outer surface of the actuator, and the last recited cam means includes a key on the pivoted member and a cooperating groove in the outer surface of the actuator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A power operated pivot joint as defined in claim 1, wherein the support means comprises a pair of laterally spaced bearing rings rigidly secured together, means pivotally supporting the pivoted member on the bearing rings and outwardly projecting mounting arms on the bearing rings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
A power operable pivot joint comprising, a. a housing, b. means on the housing for stationarily mounting the housing, c. bearing means in the housing, d. a member pivotally mounted on the bearing means for movement about a pivot axis, e. an actuator in the housing movable longitudinally of the pivot axis and having a generally cylindrical outer surface, f. cooperating reaction means on the housing and the outer surface of the actuator providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the housing, g. cooperating reaction means on the outer surface of the actuator and on the pivoted member providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the pivoted member, h. one of said reaction means being inclined relative to the pivot axis so that longitudinal movement of the actuator effects pivotal movement of the pivoted member, i. all of Said reaction means on the actuator being coextensive in length, and j. all of said reaction means having the same pitch radius about the pivot axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
168 words
A power operable pivot joint comprising, a. a housing, b. means on the housing for stationarily mounting the housing, c. bearing means in the housing, d. a member pivotally mounted on the bearing means for movement about a pivot axis, e. an actuator in the housing movable longitudinally of the pivot axis and having a generally cylindrical outer surface, f. cooperating reaction means on the housing and the outer surface of the actuator providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the housing, g. cooperating reaction means on the outer surface of the actuator and on the pivoted member providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the pivoted member, h. one of said reaction means being inclined relative to the pivot axis so that longitudinal movement of the actuator effects pivotal movement of the pivoted member, i. all of Said reaction means on the actuator being coextensive in length, and j. all of said reaction means having the same pitch radius about the pivot axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 8, wherein the cooperating reaction means on the housing and actuator comprises angularly spaced cam means on the actuator engaging angularly spaced cam means on the housing, and the cooperating reaction means on the actuator and pivoted member comprises angularly spaced cam means on the actuator engaging angularly spaced cam means on the pivoted member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 9, wherein the cam means on the housing and the pivoted member are coextensive in length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 9, wherein the cam means on the actuator extend throughout the length of the actuator, and the actuator has a greater length than the cam means on the housing and the pivoted member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 11, including a screw shaft rotatable in the housing and having a threaded connection with the actuator for moving the latter longitudinally on rotation of the shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 11, including means in the housing defining expansible fluid chambers at opposite ends of the actuator for receiving fluid under pressure to move the actuator back and forth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 11, wherein the first recited cam means includes keys on the housing helically disposed relative to the pivot axis and cooperating grooves on the actuator, and the last recited cam means includes keys on the pivoted member parallel to the pivot axis and cooperating grooves on the actuator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
178 words
A power operable pivot joint, comprising, a. a housing, b. means on the housing for stationarily mounting the housing, c. bearing means in the housing, d. a member pivotally mounted on the bearing means for movement about a pivot axis, e. an actuator in the housing movable longitudinally of the pivot axis, f. a screw shaft rotatable in the housing and having a threaded connection with the actuator for moving the latter longitudinally on rotation of the shaft, g. means in the housing for absorbing the axial thrust of the shaft, h. cooperating reaction means on the housing and the actuator providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the housing, i. cooperating reaction means on the actuator and the pivoted member providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the pivoted member, j. one of said reaction means being inclined relative to the pivot axis so that longitudinal movement of the actuator effects pivotal movement of the pivoted member, and k. all of said reaction means having the same pitch radius about the pivot axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
178 words
A power operable pivot joint, comprising, a. a housing, b. means on the housing for stationarily mounting the housing, c. bearing means in the housing, d. a member pivotally mounted on the bearing means for movement about a pivot axis, e. an actuator in the housing movable longitudinally of the pivot axis, f. a screw shaft rotatable in the housing and having a threaded connection with the actuator for moving the latter longitudinally on rotation of the shaft, g. means in the housing for absorbing the axial thrust of the shaft, h. cooperating reaction means on the housing and the actuator providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the housing, i. cooperating reaction means on the actuator and the pivoted member providing for longitudinal movement of the actuator relative to the pivoted member, j. one of said reaction means being inclined relative to the pivot axis so that longitudinal movement of the actuator effects pivotal movement of the pivoted member, and k. all of said reaction means having the same pitch radius about the pivot axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 15, including relatively large thrust bearings in the housing engaging a flange on the screw shaft for absorbing thrust in one direction, and relatively small thrust bearings in the housing engaging a flange on the screw shaft for absorbing thrust in the opposite direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises an inner tubular member having an internally threaded bore threadably connected with the screw shaft, and an outer sleeve secured to the tubular member for longitudinal movement therewith and having reaction means formed on the outer surface thereof for cooperation with reaction means on the housing and pivoted member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 15, wherein the inner tubular member is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the outer sleeve to accommodate tilting of the housing relative to the screw shaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 15, wherein the inner tubular member and the outer sleeve are connected together to prevent relative rotation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A power operaBle pivot joint as defined in claim 15, wherein the housing comprises a pair of laterally spaced bearing rings rigidly secured together and pivotally mounting the pivoted member therebetween, and end covers secured respectively to the bearing rings and rotatably receiving opposite ends of the screw shaft.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
182 words
A power operable pivot joint for mounting and actuating a trailing edge flap on an airplane wing, comprising, a. a pair of laterally spaced bearing rings having outwardly projecting support arms adapted to be secured to an airplane wing, b. an annular member pivotally mounted on the bearing rings for movement about a pivot axis and having an outwardly projecting arm adapted to be attached to a wing flap, c. a plurality of angularly spaced keys disposed in the bearing rings and secured thereto, d. a plurality of angularly spaced keys disposed in the pivoted member and secured thereto, e. an actuator disposed in the bearing rings and pivoted member and having angularly spaced guide grooves respectively cooperating with said keys, f. one of said plurality of keys and cooperating grooves being helical about the pivot axis so that axial movement of the actuator causes pivotal movement of the pivoted member, g. housing means secured to the bearing rings and enclosing the actuator, and h. means mounted in the housing means and connected for moving the actuator axially of the pivot axis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
182 words
A power operable pivot joint for mounting and actuating a trailing edge flap on an airplane wing, comprising, a. a pair of laterally spaced bearing rings having outwardly projecting support arms adapted to be secured to an airplane wing, b. an annular member pivotally mounted on the bearing rings for movement about a pivot axis and having an outwardly projecting arm adapted to be attached to a wing flap, c. a plurality of angularly spaced keys disposed in the bearing rings and secured thereto, d. a plurality of angularly spaced keys disposed in the pivoted member and secured thereto, e. an actuator disposed in the bearing rings and pivoted member and having angularly spaced guide grooves respectively cooperating with said keys, f. one of said plurality of keys and cooperating grooves being helical about the pivot axis so that axial movement of the actuator causes pivotal movement of the pivoted member, g. housing means secured to the bearing rings and enclosing the actuator, and h. means mounted in the housing means and connected for moving the actuator axially of the pivot axis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 21, including a screw shaft mounted in the housing means and threadably connected to the actuator for moving the latter axially on rotation of the shaft, and means in the housing for absorbing the axial thrust of the screw shaft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 21, including means in the housing defining expansible fluid chambers at opposite ends of the actuator, and means for admitting fluid under pressure selectively to the expansible chambers to move the actuator back and forth.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 21, wherein all of the keys and guide grooves have a common pitch radius about the pivot axis.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 21, wherein the guide grooves on the actuator are all coextensive in length, and the keys are all coextensive in length.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
165 words
A power operable pivot joint, comprising, a. a housing, b. means on the housing for stationarily mounting the housing, c. bearing means in the housing, d. a pair of members pivotally mounted on the bearing means for movement about a common pivot axis, e. a pair of actuators respectively associated with the pivoted members and movable longitudinally of the pivot axis, f. a screw shaft rotatable in the housing and having oppositely threaded portions respectively connected with the actuators for moving the latter in opposite directions, g. cooperating reaction means on the housing and the actuators providing for longitudinal movement of the actuators relative to the housing, h. cooperating reaction means on the actuators and pivoted members providing for longitudinal movement of the actuators relative to the pivoted members, and i. one of said reaction means associated with each actuator being inclined relative to the pivot axis so that longitudinal movement of the actuator effects pivotal movement of both pivoted members in the same direction.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
165 words
A power operable pivot joint, comprising, a. a housing, b. means on the housing for stationarily mounting the housing, c. bearing means in the housing, d. a pair of members pivotally mounted on the bearing means for movement about a common pivot axis, e. a pair of actuators respectively associated with the pivoted members and movable longitudinally of the pivot axis, f. a screw shaft rotatable in the housing and having oppositely threaded portions respectively connected with the actuators for moving the latter in opposite directions, g. cooperating reaction means on the housing and the actuators providing for longitudinal movement of the actuators relative to the housing, h. cooperating reaction means on the actuators and pivoted members providing for longitudinal movement of the actuators relative to the pivoted members, and i. one of said reaction means associated with each actuator being inclined relative to the pivot axis so that longitudinal movement of the actuator effects pivotal movement of both pivoted members in the same direction.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
64 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 26, wherein each actuator comprises an inner tubular member having an internally threaded bore threadably connected with the screw shaft, and an outer sleeve secured to the tubular member for longitudinal movement therewith and having reaction means formed on the outer surface thereof for cooperation with reaction means on the housing and associated pivoted member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 27, wherein each inner tubular member is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the associated outer sleEve to accommodate bending of the housing relative to the screw shaft.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 27, wherein each tubular member and the associated outer sleeve are connected together to prevent relative rotation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
63 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 26, wherein the housing comprises a pair of laterally spaced bearing rings for mounting each pivoted member, means rigidly securing the rings of each pair together, end covers secured respectively to the outermost bearing rings and rotatably receiving opposite ends of the screw shaft, and a central cover secured to the innermost bearing rings.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
A power operable pivot joint as defined in claim 26 wherein all of the reaction means have the same pitch radius about the pivot axis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |