US3813065A — Locking mechanisms and actuator assemblies of coa…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 335 words

A nearly complete resilient locking ring to be sequentially altered in its hoop tension or compression changing its effective diameter and adaptable under full load to lock and unlock coaxial translatable members by respectively interfitting with ring receiving means on both members to transmit complete shear loads between them and to fit completely into one of the members to assume no shear loads, comprising: a nearly complete lock ring of one piece having sufficient resiliency to be altered in diameter upon changing its hoop stresses, having one portion that always remains in one translatable member during both locked and unlocked conditions and it is formed with spaced radial flex notches to increase the flexibility of the locking ring when its diameter and hoop stresses are being changed, having a chamfered edge around its other portion that moves from the ring receiving means of one translatable member into the rings receiving means of the other translatable member as its diameter and hoop stresses are changed to abruptly move the locking ring into and out of the locking position, the chamfered edge aiding the entry and removal of the locking ring, with respect to the ring receiving means and an angle Alpha of the chamfered edge being determined by the formulae which fully encompasses consideration of the spring rate of the members to be locked, wherein e (SL/E) Am Rd tangent of angle Alpha where tangent of angle Alpha > OR = e/Rd and where: e is equal to the longitudinal strain of a piston translatable member, for example of length L; Rd is equal to the radial displacement of the locking ring which occurs as it unlocks; Am is equal to the axial displacement of the locking ring during its unlock phase; Alpha is equal to the angle of chamfer on the locking ring and in the ring receiving means; and S is the average stress iN the coaxial member, such as the translatable piston, having length L, which is caused by the external load P.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 335 words

A nearly complete resilient locking ring to be sequentially altered in its hoop tension or compression changing its effective diameter and adaptable under full load to lock and unlock coaxial translatable members by respectively interfitting with ring receiving means on both members to transmit complete shear loads between them and to fit completely into one of the members to assume no shear loads, comprising: a nearly complete lock ring of one piece having sufficient resiliency to be altered in diameter upon changing its hoop stresses, having one portion that always remains in one translatable member during both locked and unlocked conditions and it is formed with spaced radial flex notches to increase the flexibility of the locking ring when its diameter and hoop stresses are being changed, having a chamfered edge around its other portion that moves from the ring receiving means of one translatable member into the rings receiving means of the other translatable member as its diameter and hoop stresses are changed to abruptly move the locking ring into and out of the locking position, the chamfered edge aiding the entry and removal of the locking ring, with respect to the ring receiving means and an angle Alpha of the chamfered edge being determined by the formulae which fully encompasses consideration of the spring rate of the members to be locked, wherein e (SL/E) Am Rd tangent of angle Alpha where tangent of angle Alpha > OR = e/Rd and where: e is equal to the longitudinal strain of a piston translatable member, for example of length L; Rd is equal to the radial displacement of the locking ring which occurs as it unlocks; Am is equal to the axial displacement of the locking ring during its unlock phase; Alpha is equal to the angle of chamfer on the locking ring and in the ring receiving means; and S is the average stress iN the coaxial member, such as the translatable piston, having length L, which is caused by the external load P.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 48 words

A nearly complete resilient locking ring, as claimed in claim 1, having an additional chamfered edge around its one portion that always remains in the one translatable member, also formed at the angle Alpha, and adaptable to coact with like chamfered structures on a reversible translatable sleeve actuator.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 56 words

A nearly complete resilient locking ring, as claimed in claim 1, wherein its ends, which are slightly spaced, are formed with partial spherical like receiving portions to receive actuator forces applied by a plunger having a force transmitting partial spherical like end to change the diameter and hoop stresses of the nearly complete resilient locking ring.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 51 words

A nearly complete resilient locking ring, as claimed in claim 1, wherein its inside diameter structures are chamfered, being also formed at the angle Alpha, and are adaptable to coact with like chamfered structures on a plunger to change the diameter and hoop stresses of the nearly complete resilient locking ring.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 300 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies for repeatedly mutually interlocking and unlocking under load coaxially related principal load carrying members which are otherwise mechanically free to translate relative to one another, and each have locking ring receiving means, wherein a nearly complete resilient flexible split chamfered locking ring is changed under load in radial hoop tension or compression to change its effective diameter and when in its locking position in the locking ring receiving means, it carries and transfers the full axial shear loading carried by the coaxial members and it is lockable and unlockable under load, comprising: a. a nearly complete chamfered resilient flexible split locking ring changeable in its effective diameter, alternately, to be received in only the locking ring receiving means of one relative translating coaxial member, and to be received in the locking ring receiving means of both translating coaxial members when alignment of these locking ring receiving means occurs to then serve as the only common locking member keeping the outer and inner principal load carrying members from translating with respect to one another and thereby transmitting the full shear loads even though being comparatively small in diameter; and b. locking ring receiving means for each of relative translating coaxial members, at least one of which has a chamfered entry to mate with the chamfered locking ring during locking and unlocking under load, and all the chamfered structures are matched by an angle Alpha determined in reference to the spring rate of an entire locking ring mechanism assembly and the principal load carrying members, wherein the angle Alpha of the respective mating chamfered portions of the locking ring and the locking ring receiving means are determined by using the formulae: e SL/E Am Rd tangent of angle Alpha where tangent of angle Alpha > or = e/Rd.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 300 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies for repeatedly mutually interlocking and unlocking under load coaxially related principal load carrying members which are otherwise mechanically free to translate relative to one another, and each have locking ring receiving means, wherein a nearly complete resilient flexible split chamfered locking ring is changed under load in radial hoop tension or compression to change its effective diameter and when in its locking position in the locking ring receiving means, it carries and transfers the full axial shear loading carried by the coaxial members and it is lockable and unlockable under load, comprising: a. a nearly complete chamfered resilient flexible split locking ring changeable in its effective diameter, alternately, to be received in only the locking ring receiving means of one relative translating coaxial member, and to be received in the locking ring receiving means of both translating coaxial members when alignment of these locking ring receiving means occurs to then serve as the only common locking member keeping the outer and inner principal load carrying members from translating with respect to one another and thereby transmitting the full shear loads even though being comparatively small in diameter; and b. locking ring receiving means for each of relative translating coaxial members, at least one of which has a chamfered entry to mate with the chamfered locking ring during locking and unlocking under load, and all the chamfered structures are matched by an angle Alpha determined in reference to the spring rate of an entire locking ring mechanism assembly and the principal load carrying members, wherein the angle Alpha of the respective mating chamfered portions of the locking ring and the locking ring receiving means are determined by using the formulae: e SL/E Am Rd tangent of angle Alpha where tangent of angle Alpha > or = e/Rd.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 78 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 5, comprising, in addition, a cylindrical axially translatable actuator sleeve having a like chamfered structure to mate with the locking ring, so modified with a chamfered structure, so when translating forces are applied to the axially translatable actuator sleeve, the diameter and hoop stresses of the locking ring are able to change, and the locking ring under the force of the major axial loading abruptly moves from its locking position.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 72 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking ring receiving means for one of the relative translating coaxial members is supplemented by additional locking ring receiving means, all of which are complementary chamfered and spaced throughout the range of relative movement of the translating coaxial members, whereby the locking and unlocking of these members, may be undertaken under load at selected positions throughout this range of relative movement.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 40 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 7, wherein the additional locking ring receiving means are composed also of interchangeably positioned components which are arranged to be selectably repositioned to change the spacing between these locking ring receiving means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 94 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 5, having, in addition, a hydraulically operated control means for allowing the effective diameter changes, often under full axial loading, of the nearly complete chamfered resilient flexible split locking ring, comprising, a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, a hydraulic cylindrical structure to receive the hydraulic fluid, and a hydraulic piston movable in the hydraulic cylindrical structure to in turn be moved relative to the nearly complete chamfered resilient flexible split locking ring to allow effective diameter changes of this locking ring, during unlocking and locking.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 53 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 9, having, in addition, spring means to insure the positioning of the hydraulic piston of the control means in a locked position during possible periods of no hydraulic pressure, to thereby keep the nearly complete chamfered resilient flexible split locking ring in its locking position.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 84 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 5, having, in addition, a triggering control subassembly to allow the nearly complete chamfered resilient flexible split locking ring to change its effective diameter under full axial loading, comprising, a restraining bar arranged to be pulled by the axial loads, and a chamfered actuator secured to the restraining bar to be moved clear of this locking ring when the restraining bar reaches a predetermined elongation within its elastic limit and thereby an unlocking sequence is commenced.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 32 words

Locking ring mechansim assemblies, as claimed in claim 11, having, in addition, principal interengaging chamfered components for their abrupt unlocking of the major axial loads, when cleared by the triggering control subassembly.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 11, having, in addition, a manual release means to release the triggering control subassembly without waiting for the elongation of the restraining bar.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 27 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 13, wherein the manual release means is visually observable to indicate the complete locking of the triggering control subassembly.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 39 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 11, having, in addition, a connecting subassembly adaptable to be interconnected to a deck of an aircraft carrier and an aircraft to be launched from a catapult of the aircraft carrier.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 40 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 9, having, in addition, a means to utilize the source of hydraulic fluid under pressure which is also the source of hydraulic fluid for the actuation of the relative translating coaxial members.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 39 words

Locking ring mechanism assemblies, as claimed in claim 16, having, in addition, a regulating means to select a pressure of the hydraulic fluids obtained from the source of the hydraulic fluid used in actuating the relative translating coaxial members.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 282 words

A nearly complete resilient locking ring to be sequentially altered in its hoop tension or compression changing its effective diameter and adaptable to lock and unlock coaxial translatable members by respectively interfitting with both members to transmit complete shear loads between them and to fit completely into one of the members to assume no shear loads, comprising: a nearly complete lock ring of one piece having sufficient resiliency to be altered in diameter upon changing its hoop stresses, having one portion that always remains in one translatable member during both lock and unlocked conditions and it is formed with spaced radial flex notches to increase the flexibility of the locking ring when Its diameter and hoop stresses are being changed, having a chamfered edge around its other portion that moves from the one translatable member into the other translatable member as its diameter and hoop stresses are changed to abruptly move the locking ring into the locking position, the chamfered edge aiding the entry of the locking ring, having a second chamfered edge, opposite its first chamfered edge, around its other portion that moves from one translatable member into the other translatable member as its diameter and hoop stresses are changed to abruptly move the locking ring into locking position, the second chamfered edge aiding the entry of the locking ring when translating members are being locked while traveling in the opposite direction, and having its split apart ends which are closely spaced formed with partial spherical like receiving portions to receive actuator forces applied transversely by a plunger having a force transmitting partial spherical like end to change the diameter and the hoop stresses of the nearly complete resilient locking ring.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 282 words

A nearly complete resilient locking ring to be sequentially altered in its hoop tension or compression changing its effective diameter and adaptable to lock and unlock coaxial translatable members by respectively interfitting with both members to transmit complete shear loads between them and to fit completely into one of the members to assume no shear loads, comprising: a nearly complete lock ring of one piece having sufficient resiliency to be altered in diameter upon changing its hoop stresses, having one portion that always remains in one translatable member during both lock and unlocked conditions and it is formed with spaced radial flex notches to increase the flexibility of the locking ring when Its diameter and hoop stresses are being changed, having a chamfered edge around its other portion that moves from the one translatable member into the other translatable member as its diameter and hoop stresses are changed to abruptly move the locking ring into the locking position, the chamfered edge aiding the entry of the locking ring, having a second chamfered edge, opposite its first chamfered edge, around its other portion that moves from one translatable member into the other translatable member as its diameter and hoop stresses are changed to abruptly move the locking ring into locking position, the second chamfered edge aiding the entry of the locking ring when translating members are being locked while traveling in the opposite direction, and having its split apart ends which are closely spaced formed with partial spherical like receiving portions to receive actuator forces applied transversely by a plunger having a force transmitting partial spherical like end to change the diameter and the hoop stresses of the nearly complete resilient locking ring.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-05-27	1977-11-26	1978-05-28	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-05-27	1981-11-26	1982-05-28	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-05-27	1985-11-26	1986-05-28	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Locking mechanisms and actuator assemblies of coaxial locked remotely at selected locations after motions of a nearly complete circumferential one piece chamfered locking ring

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