U.S. patent application number 13/566807 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-06 for methods and apparatus to control movement of a component.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert E. Fisher, Mark J. Gardner, Kelly T. Jones, Robert M. Murphy. Invention is credited to Robert E. Fisher, Mark J. Gardner, Kelly T. Jones, Robert M. Murphy.
Application Number | 20140033909 13/566807 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48949015 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140033909 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murphy; Robert M. ; et
al. |
February 6, 2014 |
METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL MOVEMENT OF A COMPONENT
Abstract
Methods and apparatus to control movement of a component are
disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a housing defining
a bore and a piston disposed inside the bore. The piston is to be
coupled to a movable component disposed outside of the bore. The
example apparatus further includes a fluid flowline in fluid
communication with a first chamber of the bore and a second chamber
of the bore. The first chamber is on a first side of the piston,
and the second chamber on a second side of the piston. The example
apparatus also includes a valve to control fluid flow through the
fluid flowline. The valve is to be in a first state to enable the
piston to dampen movement of the component, and the valve is to be
in a second state to enable the piston to hold the component
substantially stationary.
Inventors: |
Murphy; Robert M.; (Everett,
WA) ; Jones; Kelly T.; (Snohomish, WA) ;
Fisher; Robert E.; (Everett, WA) ; Gardner; Mark
J.; (Snohomish, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Murphy; Robert M.
Jones; Kelly T.
Fisher; Robert E.
Gardner; Mark J. |
Everett
Snohomish
Everett
Snohomish |
WA
WA
WA
WA |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48949015 |
Appl. No.: |
13/566807 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
91/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F15B 15/28 20130101;
F15B 15/22 20130101; F15B 15/149 20130101; F16F 9/46 20130101; F16F
9/20 20130101; B64D 45/00 20130101; F15B 15/00 20130101; F16F 9/56
20130101; B64D 2045/0085 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
91/27 |
International
Class: |
F15B 15/00 20060101
F15B015/00 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] This disclosure was made with Government support under
Contract No. OTA DFTAWA-10-C-00030 awarded by the Federal Aviation
Administration. The Government of the United States may have
certain rights in this disclosure.
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a housing defining a bore; a piston
disposed inside the bore and to be coupled to a movable component
disposed outside of the bore; a fluid flowline in fluid
communication with a first chamber of the bore and a second chamber
of the bore, the first chamber on a first side of the piston, the
second chamber on a second side of the piston; and a valve to
control fluid flow through the fluid flowline, the valve to be in a
first state to enable fluid to dampen movement of the component via
the piston, the valve to be in a second state to enable the piston
to hold the component substantially stationary.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus provides a
closed fluid path comprising the fluid flowline, the first chamber
and the second chamber.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve is a solenoid.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an accumulator in
fluid communication with the fluid flowline.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the accumulator includes a
visual indicator to indicate a fluid level of the accumulator.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first stop and a
second stop disposed along a path of the piston.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first pressure
sensor to determine a pressure of fluid in a first portion of the
fluid flowline and a second pressure sensor to determine a pressure
of the fluid in a second portion of the fluid flowline.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a
trunion.
9. An apparatus, comprising: a housing defining a bore; a piston
disposed in the bore, a first side of the piston defining a first
end of a fluid flow path, a second side of the piston defining a
second end of the fluid flow path, the piston to be coupled to a
movable component disposed outside of the bore; and a valve
disposed along the fluid flow path, the valve to be in a first
state to enable the piston to be driven along the bore by the
component, the valve to be in a second state to prevent the piston
from being driven along the bore by the component.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the bore includes a first
fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a wing of an
aircraft, the housing coupled to the wing.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising an accumulator in
fluid communication with the fluid flow path.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the accumulator includes a
visual indicator to indicate a fluid level of the accumulator.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a first stop and a
second stop disposed along a path of the piston.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a first pressure
sensor to determine a pressure of fluid in a first portion of the
fluid flow path and a second pressure sensor to determine a
pressure of the fluid in a second portion of the fluid flow
path.
16. An apparatus, comprising: a hydraulic piston assembly including
a housing defining a bore and a dual-acting piston disposed in the
bore, the piston to be coupled to a movable component disposed
outside of the bore such that movement of the component is to drive
the piston along the bore; and a valve to control fluid employed
via the hydraulic piston assembly, the valve to be in a first state
to enable to the piston to displace the fluid, the valve to be in a
second state to lock the piston in place.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the bore and the piston
define a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising an accumulator in
fluid communication with the hydraulic piston assembly.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a first stop and a
second stop disposed along a path of the piston.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a first pressure
sensor to determine a pressure of the fluid in a first portion of
the hydraulic piston assembly and a second pressure sensor to
determine a pressure of the fluid in a second portion of the
hydraulic piston assembly.
Description
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to movable
components and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus to
control movement of a component.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Generally, an aircraft includes flaps to adjust aerodynamics
of the aircraft. A position of a flap may be adjusted by an
actuator coupled to the flap. During flight, the flap is subjected
to a variety of loads from the actuator and passing air.
SUMMARY
[0004] An example apparatus includes a housing defining a bore and
a piston disposed inside the bore. The piston is to be coupled to a
movable component disposed outside of the bore. The example
apparatus further includes a fluid flowline in fluid communication
with a first chamber of the bore and a second chamber of the bore.
The first chamber is on a first side of the piston, and the second
chamber on a second side of the piston. The example apparatus also
includes a valve to control fluid flow through the fluid flowline.
The valve is to be in a first state to enable the piston to dampen
movement of the component, and the valve is to be in a second state
to enable the piston to hold the component substantially
stationary.
[0005] Another example apparatus includes a housing and a piston
disposed in a bore defined by the housing. A first side of the
piston defines a first end of a fluid flow path, and a second side
of the piston defines a second end of the fluid flow path. The
piston is to be coupled to a movable component disposed outside of
the bore. The example apparatus further includes a valve disposed
along the fluid flow path. The valve is to be in a first state to
enable the piston to be driven along the bore by the component, and
the valve is to be in a second state to prevent the piston from
being driven along the bore by the component.
[0006] Another example apparatus includes a hydraulic piston
assembly including a housing defining a bore. The example apparatus
further includes a dual-acting piston disposed in the bore. The
piston is to be coupled to a movable component disposed outside of
the bore such that movement of the component is to drive the piston
along the bore. The example apparatus also includes a valve to
control fluid employed via the hydraulic piston assembly. The valve
is to be in a first state to enable to the piston to displace the
fluid, and the valve is to be in a second state to lock the piston
in place.
[0007] The features, functions and advantages that have been
discussed can be achieved independently in various examples or may
be combined in yet other examples further details of which can be
seen with reference to the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an example apparatus disclosed
herein coupled to a movable component.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an example aircraft that may be used to
implement the examples disclosed herein.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an example apparatus coupled to a wing of
the example aircraft of FIG. 2.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates an arm of the example apparatus of FIG.
3. coupled to a flap of the wing of the example aircraft of FIG.
2.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the example apparatus of
FIGS. 3-4.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the example apparatus of
FIG. 5 in which a valve is in a first state.
[0014] FIG. 7-11 are another cross-sectional views of the example
apparatus of FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the example apparatus of
FIG. 5 including an example trunion mount.
[0016] FIG. 13 is a flow chart representative of an example method
disclosed herein.
[0017] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to
refer to the same or like parts. As used in this disclosure,
stating that any part (e.g., a layer, film, area, or plate) is in
any way positioned on (e.g., positioned on, located on, disposed
on, or formed on, etc.) another part, means that the referenced
part is either in contact with the other part, or that the
referenced part is above or below the other part with one or more
intermediate part(s) located therebetween. Stating that any part is
in contact with another part means that there is no intermediate
part between the two parts.
DESCRIPTION
[0018] The example methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be
used to control movement of a movable component. The component may
be subjected to a variety of forces (e.g., via an actuator,
airflow, etc.). In some examples, if not controlled, the component
may vibrate or flutter in response to the forces. The example
apparatus and methods disclosed herein may be used to enable
movement of the component (e.g., toward a desired position) while
damping the movement of the component (e.g., to reduce vibratory
motion). The example methods and apparatus may also be used to lock
the component in place (e.g., in a desired position).
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an example apparatus 100 disclosed
herein, which may be used to control movement of a component 102.
The example apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 includes a piston assembly 104
(e.g., a non-differential cylinder). The piston assembly 104
includes a housing 106 defining a bore 108. A piston 110 is
disposed in the example bore 108 such that the piston 110 and the
bore 108 define a first chamber 112 on a first side of the piston
110 and a second chamber 114 on a second side of the piston 110. An
arm 116 is coupled to the example piston 110. In the illustrated
example, the arm 116 extends through a first end 118 of the housing
106 and a second end 120 of the housing 106.
[0020] The component 102 (e.g., a link) is disposed outside of the
housing 106. A first end 122 of the component 102 is coupled to the
arm 116, and a second end 124 of the component 102 is coupled to an
actuator 126. During operation of the actuator 126, the actuator
126 applies a force or torque to the component 102 to move the
component 102 along a given path. When the example component 102
moves along the given path, the component 102 drives the piston 110
along the bore 108.
[0021] The example apparatus 100 provides a closed fluid flow path.
In the illustrated example, the fluid path is defined by the first
chamber 112, a flowline 128 and the second chamber 114. The example
flowline 128 is in fluid communication with the first chamber 112
and the second chamber 114. Thus, a first end of the example fluid
path is defined by a first side 130 of the piston 110, and a second
end of the example fluid path is defined by a second side 132 of
the piston 110. During operation, the example fluid path (i.e., the
first chamber 112, the flowline 128, and the second chamber 114) is
substantially filled with a fluid.
[0022] In the illustrated example, movement of the example piston
110 in a first direction (e.g., to the left in the orientation of
FIG. 1) displaces the fluid from the first chamber 112 into the
flowline 128 (i.e., the fluid moves clockwise around the fluid
path). Movement of the example piston 110 in a second direction
(e.g., to the right in the orientation of FIG. 1.) displaces the
fluid from the second chamber 114 into the flowline 128 (i.e., the
fluid moves counterclockwise around the fluid path). Thus, the
example piston 110 is a double-acting piston (i.e., movement of the
piston 110 in the first direction displaces the fluid on the first
side 130 of the piston 110, and movement of the piston 110 in the
second direction displaces the fluid on the second side 132 of the
piston 110). When the fluid is displaced from one of the first
chamber 112 or the second chamber 114 into the flowline 128, the
fluid in the flowline 128 flows into the other one of the first
chamber 112 or the second chamber 114.
[0023] A valve 134 is disposed along the flowline 128 to control
the fluid employed via the example piston assembly 104. In the
illustrated example, when the valve 134 is in a first state (e.g.,
an open state), the valve 134 enables the fluid to move past the
valve 134, thereby enabling the piston 110 to move along the bore
108. In the illustrated example, an orifice 136 is in fluid
communication with the flowline 128 to provide resistance to the
fluid flow as the fluid flows through the flowline 128. As a
result, when the valve 134 is in the first state, the valve 134
enables the fluid to dampen movement (e.g., vibrations) of the
component 102 via the piston 110. While the example of FIG. 1
depicts a separate orifice or restriction (i.e., the orifice 136),
in some examples, separate restrictions may not be included and the
valve 134 provides resistance or restriction to the fluid flow.
[0024] When the valve 134 is in a second state (e.g., a closed
state), the valve 134 prevents (e.g., blocks) the fluid from
flowing past the valve 134 along the flowline 128. As a result,
fluid in the first chamber 112 or the second chamber 114 cannot be
displaced into the flowline 128, thereby substantially preventing
the piston 110 from moving (e.g., being driven) along the bore 108.
Thus, when the valve 134 is in the second state, the piston
assembly 104 locks the component 102 in place (i.e., the piston 110
and the arm 116 hold the component 102 substantially
stationary).
[0025] In the illustrated example, the first chamber 112 and the
second chamber 114 are fluidly coupled to a fluid reservoir 138
(e.g., an accumulator). The example fluid reservoir 138 enables the
example apparatus 100 to maintain fluid pressures between a lower
limit and an upper limit. A first portion 140 of the example
flowline 128 is in fluid communication with the first chamber 112
and the fluid reservoir 138 via a first check valve 142 and a first
relief valve 144. In the illustrated example, the first portion 140
of the example flowline 128 is between the first chamber 112 and
the valve 134. A second portion 146 of the example flowline 128 is
in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir 138 via a second
check valve 148 and a second relief valve 150. In the illustrated
example, the second portion 146 of the flowline 128 provides the
fluid path is between the second chamber 114 and the valve 134.
[0026] In the illustrated example, the first relief valve 144 is
substantially identical to the second relief valve 150, and the
first check valve 142 is substantially identical to the second
check valve 148. Therefore, a description of the first relief valve
144 and the first check valve 142 can be equally applied to the
second relief valve 150 and the second check valve 148,
respectively. Thus, to avoid redundancy, the second relief valve
150 and the second check valve 148 are not separately
described.
[0027] When a pressure of the fluid in the first chamber 112 and/or
the first portion 140 of the flowline 128 reaches an upper limit
due to an increase in temperature and, thus, volume of the fluid,
the first relief valve 144 (e.g., a thermal relief valve) opens to
enable the fluid in the first chamber 112 and/or the first portion
140 of the flowline 128 to flow into the fluid reservoir 138.
However, the first relief valve 144 does not open in response to
pressures in the first chamber 112 and/or the first portion 140 of
the flowline 128 caused by forces applied to the piston 110 by the
component 102. When the pressure in the first portion 140 of the
flowline 128 decreases below a lower limit (e.g., as a result of a
decrease in volume of the fluid and/or a decrease in an amount of
fluid in the first chamber 112 and/or the first portion 140 of the
flowline 128), the first check valve 142 opens to enable fluid from
the fluid reservoir 138 to flow into the first portion 140 of the
flowline 128 and/or the first chamber 112. Thus, the example
apparatus 100 adapts to changes in the volume and/or the amount of
the fluid in the piston assembly 104 to maintain the fluid
pressures in the first chamber 112, the second chamber 114 and the
flowline 128 between the upper limit (e.g., 3000 pounds per square
inch) and the lower limit (e.g., 30 pounds per square inch).
[0028] FIG. 2 is an aircraft 200 in which aspects of the present
disclosure may be implemented. In the illustrated example, the
aircraft 200 includes a fuselage 202 and a first wing 204 and a
second wing 206. The example first wing 204 includes a first flap
208, and the example second wing 206 includes a second flap 210.
The first flap 208 and the second flap 210 are operatively coupled
to respective actuators such as, for example, a hinge line rotary
actuator described in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/455,852, filed
on Apr. 25, 2012, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference
in its entirety. In some examples, the actuators adjust positions
of the first flap 208 and the second flap 210.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an example apparatus 300 disclosed
herein. The example apparatus 300 of FIG. 3 is coupled to a cord
rib 302 of the first wing 204 of the example aircraft 200 of FIG.
2. The example apparatus 300 includes a first housing 304 and a
second housing 306. In the illustrated example, the first housing
304 is coupled to the cord rib 302. In other examples, the
apparatus 300 is coupled to another portion of the aircraft 200. An
arm 308 of the example apparatus 300 extends through the first
housing 304. In the illustrated example, a spar 310 of the first
wing 204 defines an aperture 312 through which the arm 308 is
coupled to the first flap 208 (FIG. 4).
[0030] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first flap 208 of
the example aircraft 200 of FIG. 2. In the illustrated example, the
arm 308 of the example apparatus 300 is coupled to the first flap
208 via a link 400. When the example first flap 208 is rotated
(e.g., via the actuator), the arm 308 is driven by the link 400. As
described in greater detail below, the example apparatus 300
dampens movement of the first flap 208 and may be used to hold the
first flap 208 substantially stationary (i.e., lock the first flap
208 in place).
[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the example apparatus 300 of
FIG. 3. In the illustrated example, the apparatus 300 includes a
hydraulic piston assembly 500 including the first housing 304 and
the arm 308. The example arm 308 includes a coupling 502 (e.g., a
clevis). In the illustrated example, the second housing 306 is
coupled to the first housing 304. The example second housing 306
includes an accumulator 504, a valve 506 (e.g., a solenoid), a
first pressure sensor 508, a second pressure sensor 510 and a port
512. The valve 506, the first pressure sensor 508 and the second
pressure sensor 510 are communicatively coupled to a controller
514. As described in greater detail below, the controller 514
controls a state of the example valve 506 and monitors fluid
pressures determined via the first pressure sensor 508 and the
second pressure sensor 510.
[0032] The example accumulator 504 is a spring-type accumulator,
and a tip 516 of a piston rod 518 of the accumulator 504 extends
outside of the second housing 306. Other examples include other
types of accumulators (e.g., gas-filled accumulators, gas
filled/spring accumulators, etc.). In some examples, the piston rod
518 includes a visual indicator 520 (e.g., the tip is colored red)
to indicate a fluid level of the accumulator 504. If the visual
indicator 520 is disposed outside of the second housing 306 and,
thus, visible, the fluid level of the accumulator 504 is above a
threshold level. If the visual indicator 520 is not disposed
outside of the second housing 306, the fluid level of the
accumulator 504 is below the threshold level. Thus, the fluid level
of the example accumulator 504 may be determined by visual
inspection. In the illustrated example, fluid employed by the
example apparatus 300 is initially provided via the example port
512.
[0033] FIGS. 6-11 are cross-sectional views of the example
apparatus 300 of FIGS. 3-5. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the example
first housing 304 defines a bore 600. In the illustrated example, a
piston 602 is disposed in the example bore 600 such that the piston
602 and the bore 600 define a first chamber 604 on a first side of
the piston 602, and a second chamber 606 on a second side of the
piston 602. The example arm 308 is coupled to the piston 602. Thus,
movement of the first flap 208 drives the piston 602 along the bore
600.
[0034] In the illustrated example, a flowline 608 is in fluid
communication with the first chamber 604 and the second chamber
606. A first portion 610 of the example flowline 608 extends from
the first chamber 604 of the bore 600 into the second housing 306
via a first transfer tube 612. The first portion 610 of the example
flowline 608 is in fluid communication with the first pressure
sensor 508 and the valve 506. In the illustrated example, the valve
506 is in a first state in which the valve 506 enables fluid in the
flowline 608 to flow past the valve 506. As described in greater
detail below, when the valve 506 is in the first state, the valve
506 enables the piston 602 to move along the bore 600.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the example apparatus
300 of FIG. 6 taken along line 7A-7A. In the illustrated example,
the first portion 610 of the example flowline 608 includes a first
passage 700 to fluidly couple the first portion 610 of the flowline
608 to the accumulator 504.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the example apparatus
300 of FIGS. 6-7 view taken along line 8A-8A. In the illustrated
example, the first passage 700 is fluidly coupled to the
accumulator 504 via a first relief valve 800 and a first check
valve 802. In the illustrated example, the first relief valve 800
is disposed in a first branch 804 of the first passage 700. The
first check valve 802 is disposed in a second branch 806 of the
first passage 700.
[0037] Returning to FIG. 6, a second portion 614 of the example
flowline 608 extends from the second chamber 606 of the bore 600
into the second housing 306 via a second transfer tube 616. Inside
the second housing 306, the second portion 614 of the example
flowline 608 is in fluid communication with the valve 506 and the
second portion 614 of the example flowline 608.
[0038] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the example apparatus
300 of FIG. 6 taken along line 9A-9A. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the
example second portion 614 of the flowline 608 is fluidly coupled
to the second pressure sensor 510 via a second passage 900.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the example apparatus
300 of FIG. 9 taken along line 10A-10A. In the illustrated example,
the second passage 900 of the flowline 608 is fluidly coupled to
the accumulator 504 via a second relief valve 1000 and a second
check valve 1002. Thus, the first portion 610 of the example
flowline 608 and the second portion 614 of the example flowline 608
are separately fluidly coupled to the accumulator 504. In the
illustrated example, the second relief valve 1000 is disposed in a
third branch 1004 of the second passage 900. The second check valve
1002 is disposed in a fourth branch 1005 of the second passage
900.
[0040] Returning again to FIG. 6, when the example valve 506 is in
the first state (e.g., an open state), the valve 506 enables the
fluid to flow through the flowline 608, thereby enabling the piston
602 to move along the bore 600. For example, when the piston 602
moves along the bore 600, the piston 602 displaces the fluid in one
of the first chamber 604 or the second chamber 606 into the
flowline 608, and the fluid in the flowline 608 flows into the
other one of the first chamber 604 or the second chamber 606. Thus,
the apparatus 300 provides a closed fluid path. A first end of the
fluid path is defined by the first side 618 of the piston 602, and
a second end of the fluid path is defined by the second side 620 of
the piston 602. Thus, the example piston 602 is a dual-acting
piston.
[0041] Because the valve 506 is disposed along the flowline 608,
the valve 506 provides a resistance to the flow of the fluid (e.g.,
corresponding to about 95 Lohms) as movement of the piston 602
causes the fluid to flow past the valve 506. As a result, when the
valve 506 is in the first state, the fluid dampens movement (e.g.,
vibrations) of the first flap 208 via the piston 602, thereby
reducing any vibratory movement and/or fluttering of the first flap
208. In some examples, a flow restriction and/or an orifice is
disposed along the flowline 608 to provide resistance to the fluid
flow.
[0042] In some examples, the hydraulic piston assembly 500 includes
a first stop 622 and a second stop 624 disposed along a path of the
piston 602. In the illustrated example, a first end of the bore 600
and a second end of the bore 600 provide the first stop 622 and the
second stop 624, respectively. Thus, if the first flap 208 moves
the piston 602 a threshold amount in the first direction, the
piston 602 contacts the first stop 622, thereby preventing further
movement of the first flap 208 in the first direction. If the first
flap 208 moves the piston 602 a threshold amount in the second
direction, the piston 602 contacts the second stop 624, thereby
preventing further movement of the first flap 208 in the second
direction. Other examples include other stops (e.g., stops disposed
outside of the bore 600 and/or the first housing 304).
[0043] FIG. 11 illustrates the example apparatus 300 when the valve
506 is in a second state (e.g., a closed state). In some examples,
when the example first flap 208 is moved to a desired position, the
example controller 514 sends a signal to the valve 506 to actuate
the valve 506 to the second state to lock the first flap 208 in the
desired position. In some examples, the controller 514 sends a
signal to the valve 506 to actuate the valve 506 to the second
state if the first flap 208 moves to a threshold position and/or if
a position of the first flap 208 does not correspond to a commanded
position. When the valve 506 is in the second state, the valve 506
prevents (e.g., blocks) the fluid from flowing past the valve 506
along the flowline 608. As a result, the fluid in the first chamber
604 cannot be displaced into the first portion 610 of the flowline
608, and the fluid in the second chamber 606 cannot be displaced
into the second portion 614 of the flowline 608. Thus, the fluid
prevents the piston 602 from moving in the first direction (e.g.,
toward the first end of the bore 600) and the second direction
(e.g., toward the second end of the bore 600). Therefore, when the
valve 506 is in the second state, the hydraulic piston assembly 500
substantially locks the first flap 208 in place (i.e., the piston
602 and the arm 308 hold the first flap 208 substantially
stationary). Thus, the example apparatus 300 may be employed as a
hydraulic lock.
[0044] During flight, the fluid in the example apparatus 300 may be
subjected to a variety of temperature changes. As a result, a
volume and, thus, a pressure of the fluid may increase (e.g., if
the temperature rises) or decrease (e.g., if the temperature
decreases). In some examples, a portion of the fluid may escape
(e.g., via evaporation) from the example apparatus 300, thereby
decreasing the pressure of the fluid.
[0045] The example accumulator 504 enables the example apparatus
300 to maintain fluid pressures between a lower limit and an upper
limit. In the illustrated example, the accumulator 504 is not
fluidly coupled to a hydraulic system of the example aircraft 200.
In other examples, the accumulator 504 is fluidly coupled to the
hydraulic system of the example aircraft 200. Because the first
portion 610 of the flowline 608 and the second portion 614 of the
flowing are fluidly coupled to the accumulator 504, the accumulator
504 may respond separately to pressure fluctuations (i.e., by
providing fluid or receiving fluid) in the first portion 610 of the
flowline 608 and the second portion 614 of the flowline 608.
[0046] In the illustrated example, the first relief valve 800 (FIG.
8) is substantially identical to the second relief valve 1000 (FIG.
10), and the first check valve 802 is substantially identical to
the second check valve 1002. Therefore, a description of the first
relief valve 800 and the first check valve 802 can be equally
applied to the second relief valve 1000 and the second check valve
1002, respectively. Thus, to avoid redundancy, the second relief
valve 1000 and the second check valve 1002 are not separately
described.
[0047] During operation of the example apparatus 300, the first
chamber 604, the flowline 608 and the second chamber 606 are
substantially filled with a fluid. When a pressure of the fluid in
the first chamber 604 and/or the first portion 610 of the flowline
608 reaches an upper limit due to an increase in the temperature of
the fluid, the first relief valve 800 (e.g., a thermal relief
valve) opens to enable the fluid in the first chamber 604 and/or
the first portion 610 of the flowline 608 to flow into the
accumulator 504. However, the first relief valve 800 may not open
in response to pressures in the first chamber 604 and/or first
portion 610 of the flowline 608 caused by forces applied to the
piston 602 by the first flap 208. When the pressure in the first
portion 610 of the flowline 608 decreases below a lower limit
(e.g., caused by a decrease in the temperature of the fluid and/or
a decrease in an amount of the fluid in the first chamber 604
and/or the first portion 610 of the flowline 608), the first check
valve 802 opens to enable the fluid from the accumulator 504 to
flow into the first portion 610 of the flowline 608 and/or the
first chamber 604. Thus, the example apparatus 300 adapts to
changes in the temperature of the fluid and/or the amount of the
fluid employed by the example apparatus 300 to maintain the fluid
pressures in the first portion 610 of the flowline 608 and the
second portion 614 of the flowline 608 between the upper limit
(e.g., 3000 pounds per square inch) and the lower limit (e.g., 30
pounds per square inch).
[0048] In the illustrated example, the first pressure sensor 508
and the second pressure sensor 510 may be used to monitor or test
the operation of the example apparatus 300, for example, as part of
a pre-flight inspection. The example first pressure sensor 508
determines the pressure of the fluid in the first portion 610 of
the flowline 608, and the example second pressure sensor 510
determines the pressure of the fluid in the second portion 614 of
the flowline 608. Other examples include pressure sensors to
determine pressures in other areas of the example apparatus 300.
For example, the first pressure sensor 508 and the second pressure
sensor 510 may be used to determine if the pressure in the flowline
608 is sufficient to prevent cavitation of the fluid during
operation of the example apparatus 300.
[0049] FIG. 12 illustrates the example apparatus 300 of FIG. 5
including a trunion mount 1200. In the illustrated example, the
first housing 304 includes the trunion mount 1200 to movably couple
the example apparatus 300 to a structure such as, for example, the
spar 302 of the first wing 204. In some examples, the arm 308 is
coupled to a movable component that applies axial loads and side
loads to the arm 308 and, thus, the piston 602. When the arm 308 is
subjected to the side loads, the example trunion mount 1200 enables
the first housing 304 and the second housing 306 to move relative
to the structure, thereby reducing an amount of the torque applied
to the piston 602.
[0050] FIG. 13 depicts an example flow diagram representative of
methods or processes that may be implemented using, for example,
computer readable instructions. The example process of FIG. 13 may
be performed using a processor, the controller 514 and/or any other
suitable processing device. For example, the example process of
FIG. 13 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer
readable instructions) stored on a tangible computer readable
medium such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), and/or a
random-access memory (RAM). As used herein, the term tangible
computer readable medium is expressly defined to include any type
of computer readable storage and to exclude propagating signals.
Additionally or alternatively, the example process of FIG. 13 may
be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computer readable
instructions) stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium
such as a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access
memory (RAM), a cache, or any other storage media in which
information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended time
periods, permanently, brief instances, for temporarily buffering,
and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the term
non-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to
include any type of computer readable medium and to exclude
propagating signals.
[0051] Alternatively, some or all of the example process of FIG. 13
may be implemented using any combination(s) of application specific
integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s)
(PLD(s)), field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)), discrete
logic, hardware, firmware, etc. Also, one or more operations
depicted in FIG. 13 may be implemented manually or as any
combination(s) of any of the foregoing techniques, for example, any
combination of firmware, software, discrete logic and/or
hardware.
[0052] Further, although the example process of FIG. 13 is
described with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 13, other
methods of implementing the process of FIG. 13 may be employed. For
example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed,
and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated,
sub-divided, or combined. Additionally, one or more of the
operations depicted in FIG. 13 may be performed sequentially and/or
in parallel by, for example, separate processing threads,
processors, devices, discrete logic, circuits, etc.
[0053] FIG. 13 is a flowchart representative of an example method
1300 that can be performed to determine if a movable component is
locked in place by a hydraulic lock such as, for example, the
example apparatus 300 of FIGS. 3-12. With reference to FIGS. 3-12,
the example method of FIG. 13 begins at block 1302 by actuating the
valve 506 disposed along a closed fluid path (e.g., the first
chamber 604, the flowline 608 and the second chamber 606) from a
first state to a second state to lock a movable component in a
first position. At block 1304, the controller 514 determines a
first pressure in the first portion 610 of the fluid path via the
first pressure sensor 508. At block 1306, the controller 514
determines a second pressure in the second portion 614 of the fluid
path via a second pressure sensor 510.
[0054] At block 1308, the controller 514 determines if the first
pressure is approximately equal to the second pressure. If the
first pressure is not approximately equal to the second pressure,
the example controller 514 sends an alert (e.g., to be displayed
via a cockpit display in the example aircraft 200 of FIG. 2) (block
1310). At block 1312, a force is applied to the component (e.g.,
the first flap 208) via an actuator (e.g., a hinge line rotary
actuator). While the force is being applied, the first pressure
sensor 508 determines a third pressure in the first portion 610 of
the fluid path (block 1314). At block 1316, the controller 514
determines if the third pressure is greater than the first
pressure. When the force is applied to the piston 602 by the
component in a first direction (e.g., the component is pushing the
piston 602) and the valve 506 is preventing fluid from flowing past
the valve 506, the pressure in the first portion 610 of the fluid
path increases. If the third pressure is greater than the first
pressure, the controller 514 determines if the component is in the
first position (block 1318). In some examples, a position sensor
(e.g., an accelerometer) is operatively coupled to the component to
determine a position of the component. If the component is in the
first position, the component is locked in place, and the example
method ends. If the component is not in the first position, an
alert is sent (block 1310).
[0055] If the third pressure is not greater than the first
pressure, the second pressure sensor 510 determines a fourth
pressure in the second portion 614 of the fluid path while the
force is being applied (block 1320). When the force is applied to
the piston 602 by the component in a second direction (e.g., the
component is pulling the piston 602) and the valve 506 is
preventing fluid from flowing past the valve 506, the pressure in
the second portion 614 of the fluid path increases. If the
controller 514 determines that the fourth pressure not greater than
the second pressure, an alert is sent (block 1310). If the
controller 514 determines the fourth pressure is greater than
second pressure, the controller 514 determines if the component is
the first position (block 1318). If the component is in the first
position, the component is locked in place, and the example method
ends. If the component is not in the first position, an alert is
sent (block 1310).
[0056] Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of
this disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this
disclosure covers all methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the claims.
[0057] The Abstract at the end of this disclosure is provided to
comply with 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b) to allow the reader to quickly
ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted
with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or
limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
* * * * *