U.S. patent number 10,385,784 [Application Number 15/068,151] was granted by the patent office on 2019-08-20 for clevis link for toggle mechanism of ram air turbine actuator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Stephen Michael Bortoli, Paul Henry Verstrate.
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United States Patent |
10,385,784 |
Bortoli , et al. |
August 20, 2019 |
Clevis link for toggle mechanism of ram air turbine actuator
Abstract
A clevis for use in a toggle mechanism of a ram air turbine
actuator is provided comprising a first side; a second side
parallel to the first side; a first set of parallel pivot holes;
second set of parallel pivot holes; a set of parallel through
holes; and a helicoil blind hole. The second side rigidly connected
to the first side via at least one brace perpendicular to the first
side and the second side. The helicoil blind hole being located in
the first side and extending into the at least one brace. The first
side having a first hole of the first set of parallel pivot holes,
a first hole of the second set of parallel pivot holes, and a first
hole of the set of parallel through holes. The second side having
the hole pattern reflective of the first side, composed of second
holes.
Inventors: |
Bortoli; Stephen Michael
(Roscoe, IL), Verstrate; Paul Henry (Loves Park, IL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION |
Windsor Locks |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
(Windsor Locks, CT)
|
Family
ID: |
59745500 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/068,151 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2016 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20170260906 A1 |
Sep 14, 2017 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C
7/02 (20130101); B64D 41/007 (20130101); F02C
7/32 (20130101); F05D 2260/50 (20130101); F05D
2220/34 (20130101); F05D 2230/60 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F02C
7/32 (20060101); B64D 41/00 (20060101); F16C
7/02 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wiley; Daniel J
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cantor Colburn LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A clevis for use in a toggle mechanism of a ram air turbine
actuator comprising: a first side; a second side parallel to the
first side, the second side rigidly connected to the first side via
at least one brace perpendicular to the first side and the second
side; a first set of parallel pivot holes, a first hole of the
first set of parallel pivot holes being located in the first side
and a second hole of the first set of parallel pivot holes being
located in the second side; a second set of parallel pivot holes, a
first hole of the second set of parallel pivot holes being located
in the first side and a second hole of the second set of parallel
pivot holes being located in the second side; a set of parallel
through holes, a first hole of the set of parallel through holes
being located in the first side and a second hole of the set of
parallel through holes being located in the second side; and a
helicoil blind hole, the helicoil blind hole being located in the
first side and extending into the at least one brace.
2. The clevis of claim 1, wherein: the second hole of the first set
of parallel pivot holes is a blind hole, wherein the blind hole
opens towards the first side.
3. A toggle mechanism of a ram air turbine actuator comprising: a
clevis including: a first side; a second side parallel to the first
side, the second side rigidly connected to the first side via at
least one brace perpendicular to the first side and the second
side; a first set of parallel pivot holes, a first hole of the
first set of parallel pivot holes being located in the first side
and a second hole of the first set of parallel pivot holes being
located in the second side; a second set of parallel pivot holes, a
first hole of the second set of parallel pivot holes being located
in the first side and a second hole of the second set of parallel
pivot holes being located in the second side; a set of parallel
through holes, a first hole of the set of parallel through holes
being located in the first side and a second hole of the set of
parallel through holes being located in the second side; a helicoil
blind hole, the helicoil blind hole being located in the first side
and extending into the at least one brace; a cross rod operably
connected to the clevis and located in the set of parallel through
holes; and a cap screw located in the helicoil blind hole, the cap
screw securing the cross rod to the clevis.
4. The toggle mechanism of claim 3, wherein: the second hole of the
first set of parallel pivot holes is a blind hole, wherein the
blind hole opens towards the first side.
5. The toggle mechanism of claim 3, wherein: the cross rod has a
first section, a second section, and a midsection between the first
section and the second section, the midsection includes a flange
having a through hole.
6. The toggle mechanism of claim 5, wherein: the first section has
a first diameter, the second section has a second diameter, and the
midsection has a third diameter, the third diameter being larger
than at least one of the first diameter and the second
diameter.
7. The toggle mechanism of claim 5, wherein: the midsection
includes a clearance notch.
8. The toggle mechanism of claim 5, further comprising: a lock
piston operably connected to the clevis through a link, the link
being operably connected to the first set of parallel pivot holes
via a pivot pin, wherein the pivot pin is secured in the first set
of parallel pivot holes by the flange.
9. The toggle mechanism of claim 3, further comprising: a bracket
operably connected to the clevis at the second set of parallel
pivot holes via a biasing mechanism.
10. The toggle mechanism of claim 5, wherein: the cap screw secures
the cross rod to the clevis via the through hole.
11. A method of manufacturing a toggle mechanism of a ram air
turbine actuator comprising: forming a first side of a clevis;
forming a second side of a clevis; rigidly connecting the second
side to the first side via at least one brace perpendicular to the
first side and the second side, the first side being parallel to
the second side; forming a first set of parallel pivot holes, a
first hole of the first set of parallel pivot holes being located
in the first side and a second hole of the first set of parallel
pivot holes being located in the second side; forming a second set
of parallel pivot holes, a first hole of the second set of parallel
pivot holes being located in the first side and a second hole of
the second set of parallel pivot holes being located in the second
side; forming a set of parallel through holes, a first hole of the
set of parallel through holes being located in the first side and a
second hole of the set of parallel through holes being located in
the second side; drilling a helicoil blind hole, the helicoil blind
hole being located in the first side and extending into the at
least one brace; inserting a cross rod into the set of parallel
through holes within the clevis; and installing a cap screw in the
helicoil blind hole, the cap screw securing the cross rod to the
clevis.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein: the second hole of the first
set of parallel pivot holes is a blind hole, wherein the blind hole
opens towards the first side.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein: the cross rod has a first
section, a second section, and a midsection between the first
section and the second section, the midsection includes a flange
having a through hole.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein: the first section has a first
diameter, the second section has a second diameter, and the
midsection has a third diameter, the third diameter being larger
than at least one of the first diameter and the second
diameter.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein: the midsection includes a
clearance notch.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: operably connecting
a lock piston to the clevis through a link, the link being operably
connected to the first set of parallel pivot holes via a pivot pin,
wherein the pivot pin is secured in the first set of parallel pivot
holes by the flange.
17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: operably connecting
a bracket to the clevis at the second set of parallel pivot holes
via a biasing mechanism.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein: the cap screw secures the
cross rod to the clevis via the through hole.
Description
BACKGROUND
The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to ram air
turbine actuators, and more specifically to devises for use in a
toggle mechanism of a ram air turbine (RAT) actuator.
RATs are commonly used on modern aircraft to provide a secondary
and/or emergency power source in the event the primary power source
is insufficient or fails. A typical RAT includes a turbine that
remains internal to the aircraft until needed. When additional
power is required, a door in the aircraft's fuselage will open and
the actuator will deploy the RAT's turbine into the freestream air.
The turbine is rotated by the freestream air and the rotational
torque from the turbine is transferred through a drivetrain to be
converted into electrical power by a generator. A RAT may also be
used to drive a hydraulic pump.
A toggle mechanism internal to a RAT actuator may act as an over
center mechanism to initiate the actuation process. After receiving
an electrical command, solenoids pull on a cross rod, which turns
over a clevis to move the toggle mechanism past its over center
position. This motion then allows the actuator to actuate and
deploy the RAT. The cross rod and clevis experience loading from
the solenoids and also back loading from internal components of the
actuator. Accordingly, clevis and cross rod capable of withstanding
the loading, while being easy to install and maintain would provide
both cost and reliability benefits.
SUMMARY
According to one embodiment, a clevis for use in a toggle mechanism
of a ram air turbine actuator is provided. The clevis comprises a
first side and a second side parallel to the first side. The second
side rigidly connected to the first side via at least one brace
perpendicular to the first side and the second side. The clevis
also comprises a first set of parallel pivot holes. A first hole of
the first set of parallel pivot holes being located in the first
side and a second hole of the first set of parallel pivot holes
being located in the second side. The clevis further comprises a
second set of parallel pivot holes. A first hole of the second set
of parallel pivot holes being located in the first side and a
second hole of the second set of parallel pivot holes being located
in the second side. The clevis yet further comprises a set of
parallel through holes. A first hole of the set of parallel through
holes being located in the first side and a second hole of the set
of parallel through holes being located in the second side. The
clevis also further comprises a helicoil blind hole. The helicoil
blind hole being located in the first side and extending into the
at least one brace.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the clevis may include that
the second hole of the first set of parallel pivot holes is a blind
hole, wherein the blind hole opens towards the first side.
According to another embodiment, a toggle mechanism of a ram air
turbine actuator is presented. The toggle mechanism comprising a
clevis. The clevis includes a first side and a second side parallel
to the first side. The second side rigidly connected to the first
side via at least one brace perpendicular to the first side and the
second side. The clevis also includes a first set of parallel pivot
holes. A first hole of the first set of parallel pivot holes being
located in the first side and a second hole of the first set of
parallel pivot holes being located in the second side. The clevis
further includes a second set of parallel pivot holes. A first hole
of the second set of parallel pivot holes being located in the
first side and a second hole of the second set of parallel pivot
holes being located in the second side. The clevis yet further
includes a set of parallel through holes. A first hole of the set
of parallel through holes being located in the first side and a
second hole of the set of parallel through holes being located in
the second side. The clevis also further includes a helicoil blind
hole. The helicoil blind hole being located in the first side and
extending into the at least one brace. The toggle mechanism also
comprises a cross rod operably connected to the clevis and located
in the set of parallel through holes. The toggle mechanism further
comprises a cap screw located in the helicoil blind hole. The cap
screw securing the cross rod to the clevis.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the toggle mechanism may
include that the second hole of the first set of parallel pivot
holes is a blind hole, wherein the blind hole opens towards the
first side.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the toggle mechanism may
include that the cross rod has a first section, a second section,
and a midsection between the first section and the second section,
the midsection includes a flange having a through hole.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the toggle mechanism may
include that the first section has a first diameter, the second
section has a second diameter, and the midsection has a third
diameter, the third diameter being larger than at least one of the
first diameter and the second diameter.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the toggle mechanism may
include that the midsection includes a clearance notch.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the toggle mechanism may
include a lock piston operably connected to the clevis through a
link, the link being operably connected to the first set of
parallel pivot holes via a pivot pin, wherein the pivot pin is
secured in the first set of parallel pivot holes by the flange.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the toggle mechanism may
include a bracket operably connected to the clevis at the second
set of parallel pivot holes via a biasing mechanism.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the toggle mechanism may
include that the cap screw secures the cross rod to the clevis via
the through hole.
In another embodiment a method of manufacturing a toggle mechanism
of a ram air turbine actuator is presented. The method comprises
forming a first side of a clevis; forming a second side of a
clevis; and rigidly connecting the second side to the first side
via at least one brace perpendicular to the first side and the
second side. The first side being parallel to the second side. The
method also comprises forming a first set of parallel pivot holes.
A first hole of the first set of parallel pivot holes being located
in the first side and a second hole of the first set of parallel
pivot holes being located in the second side. The method further
comprises forming a second set of parallel pivot holes. A first
hole of the second set of parallel pivot holes being located in the
first side and a second hole of the second set of parallel pivot
holes being located in the second side. The method yet further
comprises forming a set of parallel through holes. The first hole
of the set of parallel through holes being located in the first
side and a second hole of the set of parallel through holes being
located in the second side. The method also comprises drilling a
helicoil blind hole. The helicoil blind hole being located in the
first side and extending into the at least one brace. The method
further comprises inserting a cross rod into the set of parallel
through holes within the clevis and installing a cap screw in the
helicoil blind hole. The cap screw securing the cross rod to the
clevis.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that
the second hole of the first set of parallel pivot holes is a blind
hole, wherein the blind hole opens towards the first side.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that
the cross rod has a first section, a second section, and a
midsection between the first section and the second section, the
midsection includes a flange having a through hole.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that
the first section has a first diameter, the second section has a
second diameter, and the midsection has a third diameter, the third
diameter being larger than at least one of the first diameter and
the second diameter.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that
the midsection includes a clearance notch.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include
operably connecting a lock piston to the clevis through a link, the
link being operably connected to the first set of parallel pivot
holes via a pivot pin, wherein the pivot pin is secured in the
first set of parallel pivot holes by the flange.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include
operably connecting a bracket to the clevis at the second set of
parallel pivot holes via a biasing mechanism.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that
the cap screw secures the cross rod to the clevis via the through
hole.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly
claimed at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and
other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aircraft that may incorporate
embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of ram air turbine (RAT) assembly that
may incorporate embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of an actuator for use in the
RAT assembly of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the actuator of
FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a toggle mechanism for use in
the actuator of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an alternate toggle mechanism
capable of being using in the actuator of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a cross rod for use in the
toggle mechanism of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an alternate cross rod for
use in the alternate toggle mechanism of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of a cross rod
and clevis assembly for use in the toggle mechanism of FIG. 5,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional illustration of an alternate
cross rod and alternate clevis assembly for use in the toggle
mechanism of FIG. 6.
The detailed description explains embodiments of the present
disclosure, together with advantages and features, by way of
example with reference to the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of
an aircraft 2 that may incorporate embodiments of the present
disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of ram air turbine
(RAT) assembly 40 that may incorporate embodiments of the present
disclosure. Aircraft 2 includes a fuselage 4 extending from a nose
portion 6 to a tail portion 8 through a body portion 10. Body
portion 10 houses an aircraft cabin 14 that includes a crew
compartment 15 and a passenger compartment 16. Body portion 10
supports a first wing 17 and a second wing 18. First wing 17
extends from a first root portion 20 to a first tip portion 21
through a first airfoil portion 23. First airfoil portion 23
includes a leading edge 25 and a trailing edge 26. Second wing 18
extends from a second root portion (not shown) to a second tip
portion 31 through a second airfoil portion 33. Second airfoil
portion 33 includes a leading edge 35 and a trailing edge 36. Tail
portion 8 includes a stabilizer 38.
Aircraft 2 includes a ram air turbine (RAT) assembly 40 mounted
within fuselage 4 or nose portion 6. When additional electrical
and/or hydraulic power is required, a compartment door 54 in the
fuselage 4 will open and an actuator 50 will actuate to deploy the
RAT assembly 40 into the freestream air. As shown in FIG. 2, the
RAT assembly 40 may include a turbine assembly 42, a gearbox
assembly 44, a shaft assembly 48, a generator 46, and the actuator
50. As the turbine assembly 42 rotates, the rotational torque is
transferred from the turbine assembly 42, through the gearbox
assembly 44 to a driveshaft (not shown) in the strut assembly 48,
and then to the generator 46. The generator 46 may be an electrical
generator, hydraulic pump, or both an electrical generator and a
hydraulic pump.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side
view of an actuator 50 for use in the RAT assembly 40 of FIG. 2,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 shows
an enlarged cross-sectional top view of the actuator 50 of FIG. 3,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the
illustrated embodiment, the actuator 50 includes a toggle mechanism
100, solenoids 60 and a rod end 52. The toggle mechanism 100 may
include a lock piston 110, a link 120, a clevis 200, a cross rod
300 and a bracket 140. The toggle mechanism 100 operates as an over
center mechanism. The solenoids 60 pull on the cross rod 300 to
move the toggle mechanism 100 past its over-center position. Once
the toggle mechanism 100 moves past its over-center position, the
link 120 shifts and subsequently allows the lock piston 110 to
translate in direction X. The lock piston 110 had been originally
preloaded to translate in direction X but was previously prevented
from translating by the link 120. The motion of the lock piston 110
activates the actuator 50, and thus as the lock piston 110
completes its motion, the actuator 50 begins translating the rod
end 52 in direction X. The motion of the rod end will deploy and/or
retract the RAT (e.g. RAT assembly 40 as shown in FIG. 2). The
force generated by the solenoids 60 imparts a large bending force
on the cross rod 300. Further, the preload on the lock piston 110
also imparts a large bending force on the cross rod 300. These
forces can bend the cross rod 300 if it is not sufficiently
thick.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 7. FIG. 5 shows a schematic
illustration of a toggle mechanism 100 for use in the actuator 50
of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a cross rod 300 for use in
the toggle mechanism 100 of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure. The toggle mechanism 100 includes a clevis
200 and a cross rod 300 operably connected to the clevis 200. The
cross rod 300 having a first section 310, a second section 320, and
a midsection 330 between the first section 310 and the second
section 320. The first section 310 has a first diameter D1, the
second section 320 has a second diameter D2, and the midsection 330
has a third diameter D3. Further, the midsection 330 includes a
flange 340. The flange 340 may be formed via machining the
midsection 330 of the cross rod 300. Alternatively, the flange 340
may rigidly connected to the midsection 330. In an embodiment, the
flange 340 may be rigidly connected to the midsection by a weld at
a juncture 370. As shown, the flange 340 also includes a through
hole 350. The flange 340 and the through hole 350 may be formed in
a variety of different manors including but not limited to molding,
machining and drilling. The midsection 330 also includes a
clearance notch 360. The clearance notch 360 allows the cross rod
300 to avoid hitting the link 120 when lock piston 110 translates.
The lock piston 110 may be operably connected to the clevis 200 via
the link 120. The lock piston 110 may be operably connected to the
link 120 via a pin 182.
The clevis 200 includes a first side 200a, a second side 200b
parallel to the first side 200a, the second side 200b rigidly
connected to the first side 200a via at least one brace (e.g. 200c
& 200d of FIG. 10) perpendicular to the first side 200a and the
second side 200b. The clevis 200 also includes a first set of
parallel pivot holes 210. A first hole 210a of the first set of
parallel pivot holes 210 being located in the first side 200a and a
second hole 210b of the first set of parallel pivot holes 210 being
located in the second side 200b. In an embodiment, the second hole
210b may be a blind hole and the blind hole opens towards the first
side 200a. The clevis 200 also includes a second set of parallel
pivot holes 220. A first hole 220a of the second set of parallel
pivot holes 220 being located in the first side 200a and a second
hole 220b of the second set of parallel pivot holes 220 being
located in the second side 200b. The clevis 200 also includes a set
of parallel through holes 230. A first hole 230a of the set of
parallel through holes 230 being located in the first side 200a and
a second hole 230b of the set of parallel through holes 230 being
located in the second side 200b. The clevis 200 also includes a
helicoil blind hole 240. The helicoil blind 240 hole being located
in the first side 200a and extending into the brace 200d (see FIG.
10). The first set of parallel pivot holes 210, the second set of
parallel pivot holes 220, the set of parallel through holes 230,
and the helicoil blind hole 240 may be formed in a variety of
different manors including but not limited to molding, machining
and drilling.
The toggle mechanism 100 may also include a bracket 140 operably
connected to the clevis 200 at the second set of parallel pivot
holes 220 via a biasing mechanism 130. The biasing mechanism 130
may include a pin 186. In an embodiment, the biasing mechanism 130
may be a spring.
In the illustrated embodiment, the toggle mechanism 100 also
includes a cap screw 160 located in the through hole 350. The cap
screw 160 secures the cross rod 300 to the set of parallel through
holes 230 of the clevis 200. The cap screw 160 secures the cross
rod 300 to the clevis 200 via the helicoil blind hole 240. The cap
screw 160 prevents the cross rod 300 from rotating in the clevis
200. If the cross rod 300 had bent due to heavy loads, and then
rotated in the clevis 200, the over center position may change for
various cross rod 300 rotational positions. In order to prevent the
cross rod from bending, various changes were incorporated into the
cross rod 300 in FIG. 7 versus alternate cross-rod designs.
Referring now to also FIGS. 6 and 8, in addition to FIGS. 5 and 7.
FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of an alternate toggle
mechanism 102 capable of being using in the actuator 50 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of an alternate cross rod 302
for use in the alternate toggle mechanism 102 of FIG. 6. In
comparing cross rod 300 in FIG. 7 to the alternate cross rod 302 in
FIG. 8, it may be seen that the diameter (D1, D2, and D3) of cross
rod 300 is greater than the diameter D4 of the alternate cross rod
302. Having a larger diameter allows cross rod 300 to withstand
larger bending forces. Further, the third diameter D3 may be larger
than at least one of the first diameter D1 and the second diameter
D2. Having a larger diameter in the middle allows the cross rod 300
to be stronger where it is needed most. In contrast, the alternate
cross rod 302 includes a scallop 390 near the center of the
alternate cross rod 302, which results in a smaller diameter D5.
The smaller diameter D5 creates a weak point near the center of the
alternate cross rod 302, where the bending forces are often
elevated.
Further difference in the cross rod 300 over the alternate cross
rod 302 could be seen with the addition of the flange 340 on the
cross rod 300. The flange 340 allows the pivot pin 184 connecting
the link 120 to the clevis 200 to remain in the first set of
parallel pivot holes 210 of the clevis 200. As mentioned above, the
second hole 210b may be a blind hole and the blind hole opens
towards the first side 200a. The pivot pin 184 may be pressed into
the blind second hole 210b of the first set of parallel pivot holes
210 and then the flange 340 will cover up the pivot pin 184 on the
first hole 210a. As seen in FIG. 6, the alternate toggle mechanism
102 required a separate piece, called a retainer 188, to keep the
pivot pin 184 in its place.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 shows a schematic
cross-sectional illustration of a cross rod 300 and clevis 200
assembly for use in the toggle mechanism 100 of FIG. 5, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 shows a
schematic cross-sectional illustration of an alternate cross rod
302 and alternate clevis 202 assembly for use in the alternate
toggle mechanism 102 of FIG. 6. In order to reduce movement in
direction Y, the cross rod 300 is secured to the clevis 200 via the
cap screw 160, such that the flange 340 is abutting the clevis 200,
as shown. The cap screw 160 is located in the through hole 350 of
the flange 340 and screws into the clevis 200 at the helicoil blind
hole 240. As shown in FIG. 10, the thickness of the alternate cross
rod 302 is reduced at the scallop 390, in order to accommodate a
set screw 190, which reduces movement in direction Y. The cap screw
160, the flange 340 and the helicoil blind hole 240 in FIG. 9
eliminates the need to reduce the thickness of the cross rod 200 in
the midsection 330, unlike the alternate cross rod 302.
Advantageously, a thicker diameter at the midsection 330 helps make
the cross rod 300 stronger and more resistant to bending and/or
breaking than the alternate cross rod 302. Also advantageously, as
mentioned above, the flange 340 of the cross rod 300 eliminates the
need for the retainer 188, which was required by the alternate
cross rod 302 and alternate clevis 202 assembly of FIG. 10. The
elimination of the retainer 188 and the set screw 190 reduces part
count and simplifies assembly.
While the present disclosure has been described in detail in
connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be
readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to
such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be
modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations,
substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent
arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate
with the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, while
various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described,
it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may
include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the
present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing
description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended
claims.
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