Mechanical latch locking detection sensors

• US 20100026482A1
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Grichener, Alexander, Lin, Chuang-Chia
• Granted Patent: US 7,843,363 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.100
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 29/06 Attaching of nacelles, fairings or cowlings
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/04 with counting or registering devices time recording locks G07C1/32
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/145 flush
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0948 Closure

Abstract

The invention provides a sensor for determining when a latch for securing an engine cowl on an aircraft is secured by detecting the proximity of a latch hook and a latch pin. The sensor includes a resonant circuit configured and adapted to transmit a status signal when the latch is in a secured state. The sensor also includes a means for conveying status information of the latch to a location remote from the latch based on the status signal, the conveying means being operably connected to the resonant circuit. The invention also provides a method of determining when a latch is open or secured by detecting the proximity of a latch hook and a latch pin.

Claims

1. A sensor for determining when a latch for securing an engine cowl of an aircraft is secured, the sensor comprising:

a) a resonant circuit for transmitting a status signal when the latch is in a secured state; and

b) means operably connected to the resonant circuit for conveying status information of the latch to a location remote from the latch based on the status signal.

2. A sensor as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power source configured and adapted to operably connect to the resonant circuit.

3. A sensor as recited in claim 2, wherein the resonant circuit includes an antenna coupled to a capacitor, the capacitor having a first plate configured to be connected to a hook of the latch and a second plate configured to be connected to a pin of the latch, wherein the first and second plates are in closely aligned proximity when the latch is secured, and are out of closely aligned proximity when the latch is open, causing the status signal to be transmitted through the antenna when the latch is secured.

4. A sensor as recited in claim 3, wherein the resonant circuit is an RF resonator circuit configured and adapted to transmit the status signal wirelessly in RF bandwidths by way of the antenna.

5. A sensor as recited in claim 4, wherein the power source includes an RF source configured to transmit RF energy to power the RF resonator, and wherein the RF resonator circuit is configured to emit the status signal when the latch is in the secured state.

6. A sensor as recited in claim 5, wherein the power source and the conveying means are combined in an RF transceiver.

7. A sensor as recited in claim 6, wherein the RF transceiver includes an onboard power source configured to power the RF transceiver, and wherein the RF transceiver is configured to convey the status information wirelessly to the remote location.

8. A sensor as recited in claim 6, wherein the RF transceiver is configured to receive power from an external source through an electrical conductor.

9. A sensor for determining when a latch for securing an engine cowl of an aircraft is secured, the sensor comprising:

a) an resonant circuit configured and adapted to transmit a first signal when the latch is in an opened state, and to transmit a second signal when in latch is in a secured state; and

b) a means for conveying status information of the latch to a location remote from the latch based on one of the first and second signals, the conveying means being operably connected to the resonant circuit.

10. A sensor as recited in claim 9, wherein the resonant circuit includes an electromechanical switch having a switch body configured and adapted to be connected to one of a hook and a pin of the latch, and a moveable actuator moveable to a plurality of positions.

11. A sensor as recited in claim 10, wherein the actuator is moved to a first position when the latch is in the opened state to cause the circuit to transmit the first signal indicative of the latch being open.

12. A sensor as recited in claim 11, wherein the actuator is moved to a second position when the latch is in the secured state to cause the circuit to transmit the second signal indicative of the latch being secured.

13. A sensor as recited in claim 10, further comprising a resilient member configured to urge the actuator to the first position when the latch is in the opened state.

14. A sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the switch body is configured to be connected to the hook, wherein the actuator is moved to the second position when the latch is moved to the secured state.

15. A sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the switch body is configured to be connected to the pin, wherein the actuator is moved to the second position when the latch is moved to the secured state.

16. A sensor as recited in claim 13, wherein the resonant circuit includes a first RF emitter configured to transmit the first signal at a first frequency and a second RF emitter configured to transmit the second signal at a second frequency, and wherein the actuator is configured to electrically connect an antenna to one of the first and second RF emitters at a time, wherein the actuator connects the first emitter to the antenna to transmit the first frequency in the first position and the actuator connects the second emitter to the antenna to transmit the second frequency in the second position.

17. A sensor as recited in claim 16, further comprising an RF power source configured to transmit RF energy to power the RF emitters, wherein the first and second RF emitters are MEMS RF resonators.

18. A sensor as recited in claim 17, wherein the RF power source and the conveying means are combined in an RF transceiver.

19. A method for determining when a latch is opened or secured comprising steps of:

a) transmitting a first RF signal from an RF resonator circuit when the latch is in the secured state;

b) transmitting a second RF signal when the latch is in the opened state; and

c) conveying status information regarding the opened or secured state to a location remote from the latch based on at least one of the signals.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising steps of:

a) transmitting RF energy from an RF transceiver; and

b) receiving the RF energy in the RF resonator circuit to power the RF resonator circuit.