Support for a radio equipment of an aircraft, radio system and aircraft

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10513348-B2
Application number	US-201715582811-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 1, 2017
Priority date	May 3, 2016
Publication date	Dec 24, 2019
Grant date	Dec 24, 2019

Abstract

A support device for a radio equipment of an aircraft, radio system and aircraft are provided. The support device includes a fastening structure ( 31 ), intended to be secured to a lower surface of a fuselage of an aircraft, and a support platform ( 33 ) of the radio equipment ( 25 ). The support platform ( 33 ) is mounted pivoting on the fastening structure ( 31 ) around a pivot axis (A) between an operational position and a backup position. The support device comprises a locking mechanism ( 56 ), able to be actuated from a locked configuration, in which said locking mechanism ( 56 ) keeps the support platform ( 33 ) in its operational position while preventing any pivoting of the support platform ( 33 ), to an unlocked configuration, in which the locking mechanism ( 56 ) allows the support platform ( 33 ) to pivot relative to the fastening structure ( 31 ).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A support device of a piece of radio equipment of an aircraft, the support device comprising:
a fastening structure configured for securing to a lower surface of a fuselage of the aircraft;
a support platform of the radio equipment, configured to receive the radio equipment, the support platform being mounted pivotable on the fastening structure around a pivot axis between an operational position and a backup position, the pivot axis being configured for extending parallel to the lower surface of the fuselage; and
a lock configured to be actuated from a locked configuration, in which the lock keeps the support platform in the operational position while preventing any pivoting of the support platform around the pivot axis, to an unlocked configuration, in which the lock allows the support platform to pivot relative to the fastening structure around the pivot axis, toward the backup position.

2. The support device according to claim 1 , wherein:
in the operational position, the support platform is configured to keep the radio equipment in a deployed position, in which the radio equipment is configured to protrude in a direction substantially orthogonal to the lower surface of the fuselage, and
in the backup position, the support platform is configured to keep the radio equipment in a retracted position, in which the radio equipment is configured to be housed in a refuge zone of the fuselage.

3. The support device according to claim 1 , further comprising a control mechanism, configured to be actuated by an operator, the lock being configured to be actuated from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration when the operator actuates the control mechanism.

4. The support device according to claim 3 , wherein the lock comprises at least one locking finger movable from a locked position, in which the locking finger prevents any pivoting of the support platform around the pivot axis, to an unlocked position, in which the locking finger allows the support platform to pivot relative to the fastening structure around the pivot axis, and the control mechanism is configured so as, when the control mechanism is actuated, to move the locking finger from the locked position to the unlocked position.

5. The support device according to claim 1 , wherein the lock comprises at least one locking finger movable from a locked position, in which the locking finger prevents any pivoting of the support platform around the pivot axis, to an unlocked position, in which the locking finger allows the support platform to pivot relative to the fastening structure around the pivot axis.

6. The support device according to claim 5 , wherein the locking finger comprises at least one frangible zone, configured to break under an effect of an impact on the radio equipment, the lock being able to be actuated from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration by breakage of the frangible zone under the effect of the impact on the radio equipment.

7. The support device according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one frangible zone is configured to break under the effect of an impact generating force exceeding a predetermined force threshold, the predetermined force threshold being defined as being greater than forces generated on the at least one locking finger under normal flight conditions, but lower than forces generated on the at least one locking finger under an effect of an impact of a bird on the radio equipment.

8. The support device according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one frangible zone is formed by an axial weakening bore in the at least one locking finger.

9. The support device according to claim 1 , wherein the support platform is configured to pivot around the pivot axis from the operational position to an intermediate equilibrium position, when the lock is actuated from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

10. The support device according to claim 9 , further comprising a return mechanism, configured to exert a return force on the support platform, the return mechanism being configured so as, when the lock is in the unlocked configuration, to pivot the support platform around the pivot axis from the operational position to the intermediate equilibrium position.

11. The support device according to claim 9 , wherein the intermediate equilibrium position is a stable position of the support platform, the support platform being configured to pivot around the pivot axis from the operational position to the intermediate equilibrium position, under the effect solely of the gravitational force or under a return force from a return mechanism, when the locking mechanism is actuated from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

12. The support device according to claim 1 , further comprising a non-return mechanism, configured so as, when the lock is in the unlocked configuration, to prevent the support platform from pivoting to the operational position.

13. The support device according to claim 12 , wherein the non-return mechanism is configured so as, when a pivot angle of the support platform exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the predetermined threshold value corresponding to a threshold position of the support platform, to prevent the support platform from pivoting toward the operational position below the threshold position.

14. The support device according to claim 13 , wherein the predetermined threshold value is comprised between 35° and 45°.

15. The support device according to claim 13 , wherein the non-return mechanism comprises at least one retractable finger, configured to be deployed during a pivoting of the support platform around the pivot axis toward the backup position when the pivot angle of the support platform reaches the predetermined threshold value, the retractable finger being configured so as, when the retractable finger is deployed, to prevent the support platform from pivoting toward the operational position on that side of the threshold position.

16. A radio system comprising:
the support device according to claim 1 ; and
a piece of radio equipment mounted on the support platform.

17. An aircraft comprising:
a fuselage; and
the radio system according to claim 16 , the structure for fastening the support device being secured to a lower surface of the fuselage.

18. The aircraft according to claim 17 , further including a radome attached on the fuselage and covering the radio system.

19. The aircraft according to claim 17 , wherein the fuselage defines a refuge zone, and wherein:
in the operational position, the support platform is configured to keep the radio equipment in a deployed position, in which the radio equipment protrudes in a direction substantially orthogonal to the lower surface of the fuselage, and
in the backup position, the support platform is configured to keep the radio equipment in a retracted position, in which the radio equipment is housed in the refuge zone of the fuselage.

20. A support device of a piece of radio equipment of an aircraft, the support device comprising:
a fastening structure configured for securing to a lower surface of a fuselage of the aircraft;
a support platform of the radio equipment, configured to receive the radio equipment, the support platform being mounted pivotable on the fastening structure around a pivot axis between an operational position and a backup position, the pivoting of the support platform between the operational position and the backup position being configured to make the radio

Assignees

• Dassault Aviat

Inventors

• Tabuteau Jérôme
• Brunet Jérôme

Classifications

• H01Q1/125

  Means for positioning · CPC title

• H01Q3/06

  over a restricted angle · CPC title

• H01Q1/42

  Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome · CPC title

• H01Q1/28

  Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons · CPC title

• B64D47/00 Primary

  Equipment not otherwise provided for · CPC title