Device for locking a movable component of an aircraft

• US 8,390,479 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2007
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus
• Original Assignee: Airbus
• Inventors: Wilby, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis, Christopher P
• Application Number:
  US12/299,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20090242696A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,127 Days
• Field of Search: 244/102.SL, 244/102.A, 244/102.R, 244/100.R, 340/960, 340/12.51, 340/13.26, 343/705
• US Class Current: 340/960
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/26 Control or locking systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5642 Rod
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5858 Locked stationary
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/827 Attention-directing

Abstract

A device for locking a movable component of an aircraft. The device includes an electronic tag adapted for receiving a polling signal and returning an identification signal. An on-board system allows detection of such locking devices.

Claims

1. A removable locking device engaged with a movable component of landing gear of an aircraft, comprising:

an electronic tag adapted for receiving a polling signal and returning an identification signal of the device.

2. The removable locking device according to claim 1, having a shape of a pin.

3. The removable locking device according to claim 2, wherein the pin comprises a cylindrical part including an annular groove, wherein an omnidirectional antenna is mounted.

4. The removable locking device according to claim 3, wherein the antenna is sealingly covered by an elastomer layer.

5. The removable locking device according to claim 1, having a shape of a collar comprising two shells linked to each other by a longitudinal hinge.

6. The removable locking device according to claim 5, wherein at least one shell includes a part of semi-cylindrical shape having a substantially semi-annular groove, wherein an antenna element is mounted.

7. The removable locking device according to claim 6, wherein the antenna element is sealingly covered by an elastomer layer.

8. A system for detecting at least one removable locking device according to claim 1, comprising:

means for reading at least one electronic tag for transmitting a polling signal and receiving a reply containing identification data of the device;

controlling means controlling the means for reading and receiving the identification data via an avionics communication network; and

signaling means indicating whether a locking device has been identified.

9. The detecting system according to claim 8, wherein the signaling means is adapted for indicating location of the removable locking device on an outline representation of the aircraft.

10. The detecting system according to claim 8, wherein the signaling means is adapted for transmitting a sound signal when a locking device has been detected.

11. An aircraft comprising a detecting system according to claim 8, wherein the means for reading is linked to at least one antenna mounted on an inner part of a landing gear flap.

12. An aircraft comprising:

a detecting system according to claim 8, wherein the means for reading is linked to at least one conformal antenna.