Load Path Status Detection System

• US 20180100790A1
• Filed: 10/10/2016
• Published: 04/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Schleuter, Lisa G., Bowers, Bret Alan
• Granted Patent: US 10,444,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 9/02 Mounting or supporting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0085 Devices for aircraft health monitoring, e.g. monitoring flutter or vibration
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/127 by using inductive means G01L1/122, G01L1/125 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/2287 constructional details of the strain gauges adjustable resistors H01C10/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/08 by applying steady tensile or compressive forces G01N3/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A load path status detection system comprising a primary fastener, a load sensor, a primary structural link, and a secondary structural link. The primary fastener extends through the primary structural link. The load sensor is associated with the primary structural link. The primary structural link carries a load when a primary load path, formed by the primary fastener and the primary structural link, is functioning. The secondary structural link is parallel to the primary structural link, wherein the secondary structural link does not carry a load when the primary load path is functioning.

Claims

1. A load path status detection system comprising:

a primary fastener extending through a primary structural link;

a load sensor associated with the primary structural link;

the primary structural link that carries a load when a primary load path formed by the primary fastener and the primary structural link is functioning; and

a secondary structural link parallel to the primary structural link, wherein the secondary structural link does not carry the load when the primary load path is functioning.

2. The load path status detection system of claim 1 further comprising:

an additional secondary structural link, wherein the primary structural link is positioned between the secondary structural link and the additional secondary structural link.

3. The load path status detection system of claim 1 further comprising:

a secondary fastener extending through the secondary structural link and configured to be a back-up to the primary fastener.

4. The load path status detection system of claim 3, wherein a central axis of the primary fastener is parallel to a central axis of the secondary fastener.

5. The load path status detection system of claim 4, wherein the central axis of the primary fastener is con-centric with the central axis of the secondary fastener.

6. The load path status detection system of claim 1, wherein the load sensor is positioned within the primary structural link.

7. The load path status detection system of claim 1, wherein the load sensor is at least one of a strain gauge, a linear variable differential transformer, or a hydrostatic sensor.

8. A method comprising:

connecting a primary structural link to a first component using a primary fastener to form a primary load path;

generating a measurement using a load sensor associated with the primary structural link; and

determining whether the primary load path is functioning using the measurement.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein determining whether the primary load path is functioning using the measurement comprises determining if the measurement is outside a threshold, and the method further comprising:

sending an alert if the measurement is outside the threshold.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the load sensor is at least one of a strain gauge, a linear variable differential transformer, or a hydrostatic sensor.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

connecting a pair of secondary structural links to the first component using a pair of secondary fasteners, wherein a first load path extends through the primary structural link, and wherein a second load path extends through a pair of secondary structural links.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the primary structural link is positioned between the pair of secondary structural links.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

carrying a load in a secondary structural link when the primary load path is not functioning.

14. An assembly comprising:

a first component connected to a primary structural link using a primary fastener and connected to a pair of secondary structural links using a pair of secondary fasteners;

a second component connected to the primary structural link using a connector; and

a load sensor associated with the primary structural link and configured to measure a load on the primary structural link.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the pair of secondary fasteners does not carry a load when the primary fastener and the primary structural link are functioning.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein a central axis of the primary fastener is parallel to a central axis of each of the pair of secondary fasteners.

17. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the load sensor is at least one of a strain gauge, a linear variable differential transformer, or a hydrostatic sensor.

18. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the load is selected from one of tension or compression.

19. The assembly of claim 14 wherein a first load path extends through the primary structural link and wherein a second load path extends through the pair of secondary structural links.