Patent Application
20250101779
The present disclosure relates to nacelle latch assemblies in general, and to nacelle latch assemblies that include a latch pin in particular.
Modern aircraft propulsion systems typically include a gas turbine engine and a nacelle housing providing an aerodynamic covering for the gas turbine engine. The nacelle may include one or more cowls for covering components of the gas turbine engine. These cowls may be pivotally mounted to a stationary structure enabling those cowls to be opened for providing access to the components underneath. The cowls may be secured in a closed position using one or more latch assemblies. Various types of latch assemblies are known in the art. While these known latch assemblies have various benefits, they are typically difficult to open easily and are very often utilize complex mechanical structures that are prone to damage. Accordingly, a latch assembly that overcomes the shortcomings of existing latch assemblies is desired.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a latch assembly is provided that includes a first lateral side panel, a second lateral side panel, a handle, a latch pin linkage, a latch pin guide block, and a handle biasing element. The first and second lateral side panels extend lengthwise between a proximal end of the latch assembly and a distal end of the latch assembly. The handle is pivotally attached to the first and second lateral side panels for rotation about a handle pivot axle. The handle includes a first drive link post aperture and a second drive link post aperture. The first and second drive link post apertures are aligned with one another. The latch pin linkage includes a drive link, a drag link, and a latch pin. The drive link has a central body with first and second lengthwise sides opposite one another, and first and second lateral sides opposite one another. The first and second lengthwise sides are orthogonal to the first and second lateral sides. The drive link includes a drag link clevis extending out from the first lengthwise side of the central body and a pivot axle clevis extending out from the second lengthwise side of the central body. The pivot axle clevis is rotatably connected to the handle pivot axle. A first drive link post extends out from the central body first lateral side and a second drive link post extending out from the central body second lateral side. The first drive link post is received within the first drive link post aperture and the second drive link post is received within the second drive link post aperture. The drag link (DL) has a DL proximal end and a DL distal end. The DL distal end is pivotally attached to the drag link clevis and the DL proximal end is pivotally attached to the latch pin. The latch pin guide block is disposed between the first and second lateral side panels at the proximal end of the latch assembly. The latch pin guide block has an inner bore configured to receive the latch pin. The handle biasing element is configured to bias the handle to rotate about the handle pivot axis away from the first and second lateral side panels.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the latch assembly may be configured for the handle to rotate between a handle closed configuration and a handle fully open configuration, and the drive link may be configured to stop rotation of the latch pin linkage in a first rotational direction beyond the handle closed configuration and to stop rotation of the latch pin linkage in a second rotational direction beyond the handle fully open configuration, wherein the first rotational direction is opposite the second rotational direction.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the drive link may include an over-center pin engaged with the drag link clevis and the over-center pin may be disposed to contact the drag link to stop the rotation of the latch pin linkage in the first rotational direction beyond the handle closed configuration.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the drive link may be configured to contact the drag link to stop the rotation of the latch pin linkage in the second rotational direction beyond the handle fully open configuration.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the handle may include a topside panel, a first handle lateral side panel, and a second handle lateral side panel. The first and second handle lateral side panels extend outwardly from the topside panel such that the first handle lateral side panel, the second handle lateral side panel, and the topside panel collectively forming a U-shape. The first drive link post aperture may be disposed in the first handle lateral side panel, and the second drive link post aperture may be disposed in the second handle lateral side panel.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the first drive link post aperture may be configured as a first drive link post slot, and the second drive link post aperture may be configured as a second drive link post slot. The first and second drive link post slots may each have a slot length that is greater than a slot width, and the slot length extends between a slot first end and a slot second end.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, each slot length may extend along a straight line.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the latch assembly may be configured to rotate between a handle closed configuration and a plurality of handle open configurations. In the handle closed configuration, the first drive link post may be disposed at the first slot end of the first drive link post slot, and the second drive link may be disposed at the first slot end of the second drive link post slot. In the plurality of handle open configurations, the first drive link post may be disposed at the second slot end of the first drive link post slot, and the second drive link post may be disposed at the second slot end of the second drive link post slot.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the latch pin guide block may include a pair of attachment flanges, and the latch assembly further may include a proximal end pin that is engaged with the first and second lateral side panels, and the proximal end pin may extend through the attachment flanges.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the latch pin guide block attachment flanges and the first and second lateral side panels may include aligned fastener apertures that are configured to receive a latch assembly mounting fastener. The fastener apertures are disposed between the distal end of the latch assembly and the proximal end pin.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the handle biasing element may be configured to act against the handle and to act against the drive link.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the handle biasing element may be a torsional spring.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the handle may include a handle latch mechanism that is configured to bias the handle latch mechanism in a latched orientation.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a latch assembly is provided that includes first and second lateral side panels, a handle, a latch pin linkage, and a latch pin guide block. The first and second lateral side panels extend lengthwise between a proximal end of the latch assembly and a distal end of the latch assembly. The handle is pivotally attached to the first and second lateral side panels for rotation about a handle pivot axle. The handle is rotatable between a handle closed configuration and a handle fully open configuration. The latch pin linkage includes a drive link, a drag link, and a latch pin. The drive link is configured to stop rotation of the latch pin linkage in a first rotational direction beyond the handle closed configuration and to stop rotation of the latch pin linkage in a second rotational direction beyond the handle fully open configuration. The first and second rotational directions are opposite one another. The drag link is pivotally attached to the drive link and the latch pin. The latch pin guide block is disposed between the first and second lateral side panels at the proximal end of the latch assembly. The latch pin guide block has an inner bore configured to receive the latch pin.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the latch assembly may include a handle biasing element configured to bias the handle to rotate about the handle pivot axis away from the first and second lateral side panels.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the drive link may include a central body with opposing first and second lengthwise sides, and opposing first and second lateral sides, and the first and second lengthwise sides may be orthogonal to the first and second lateral sides. The drag link clevis may extend out from the first lengthwise side of the central body. The pivot axle clevis may extend out from the second lengthwise side of the central body. The pivot axle clevis may be rotatably connected to the handle pivot axle.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the handle may include first and second drive link post apertures aligned with one another. The drive link may include a first drive link post extending out from the central body first lateral side, and a second drive link post extending out from the central body second lateral side. The first drive link post may be received within the first drive link post aperture and the second drive link post may be received within the second drive link post aperture.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, the first drive link post aperture may be configured as a first drive link post slot, and the second drive link post aperture may be configured as a second drive link post slot. The first and second drive link post slots may each have a slot length that is greater than a slot width, and the slot length extends between a slot first end and a slot second end.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, each slot length may extend along a straight line.
In any of the aspects or embodiments described above and herein, in the handle closed configuration the first drive link post may be disposed at the first slot end of the first drive link post slot, and the second drive link post may be disposed at the first slot end of the second drive link post slot. In the plurality of handle open configurations, the first drive link post may be disposed at the second slot end of the first drive link post slot, and the second drive link post may be disposed at the second slot end of the second drive link post slot.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. For example, aspects and/or embodiments of the present disclosure may include any one or more of the individual features or elements disclosed above and/or below alone or in any combination thereof. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, the following description and drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.
Referring to
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The handle latch mechanism 56 is disposed in the handle topside panel 36A and includes a lever 62 and a pair of hook latches 64 attached to the lever 62. The lever 62 and the attached hook latches 64 are pivotally mounted to the handle 36. The lever 62 and hook latches 64 may be disposed in a latched orientation wherein the lever 62 is flush with the top side panel 36A of the handle 36 and the hook latches 64 are in a latched position, and the lever 62 and hook latches 64 may be disposed in an unlatched orientation (not shown) wherein the lever 62 is pivoted away from the topside panel 36A of the handle 36 and the hook latches 64 are rotated into an unlatched position. In some embodiments, the handle latch mechanism 56 may include a biasing element (e.g., a spring 66—see
Referring to
Referring to
The drag link 74 extends lengthwise between a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the drag link 74 is pivotally attached to a distal end of the latch pin 76. The distal end of the drag link 74 is pivotally attached to drag link clevis 78.
The latch pin 76 extends lengthwise between an engagement end 76A and a distal end 76B. The latch pin 76 embodiment shown in
Referring to
In the embodiment shown in
In the handle closed configuration (as shown in
Referring to
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To close and latch the fan cowl (or other structure to which the latch assembly 28 is in communication), the opposite process is performed. The fan cowl is rotated into a closed position and the latch assembly 28 handle 36 is rotated towards the latch assembly 28; i.e., the counterclockwise direction as shown in
The terms “substantially”, “generally” and/or “about” as contemplated herein are used with the appreciation that small variations in dimensions are within the present disclosure. Such small variations can include variations due to manufacturing tolerances and/or expansion/contraction of parts subjected to varying conditions (e.g., pressure, force, temperature, etc.).
While the principles of the disclosure have been described above in connection with specific apparatuses and methods, it is to be clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as limitation on the scope of the disclosure. Specific details are given in the above description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it is understood that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
It is noted that the embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a block diagram, etc. Although any one of these structures may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc.
The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to one or more than one, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “comprising a specimen” includes single or plural specimens and is considered equivalent to the phrase “comprising at least one specimen.” The term “or” refers to a single element of stated alternative elements or a combination of two or more elements unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, “comprises” means “includes.” Thus, “comprising A or B,” means “including A or B, or A and B,” without excluding additional elements.
It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the present description and drawings (the contents of which are included in this disclosure by way of reference). It is noted that these connections are general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and/or any other possible attachment option.
No element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112 (f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the disclosures may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present application. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts, and features of the disclosures—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, and components, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts, or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present application even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. For example, in the exemplary embodiments described above within the Detailed Description portion of the present specification, elements may be described as individual units and shown as independent of one another to facilitate the description. In alternative embodiments, such elements may be configured as combined elements. It is further noted that various method or process steps for embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. The description may present method and/or process steps as a particular sequence. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the description should not be construed as a limitation.
