Retractable Door Pins for Aircraft Door

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024034454-A1
Application number	US-202318362774-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 31, 2023
Priority date	Jul 29, 2022
Publication date	Feb 1, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system and method for unlatching an aircraft door is disclosed. The system includes a latch pin design which enables retraction of the pin in the event the ordinary unlatching mechanical systems fail. The system includes the use of a rod that is reversely threaded on each side. Rotation of the rod either extends or retracts the pin.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . An aircraft door comprising:
a pin latch system on an aircraft door; a driving mechanism configured to translate the pin latch system in and out of a receptacle in an aircraft doorframe during normal operation; the pin system including a rod including an activation mechanism and an external thread arrangement; a pin bearing end connected to the driving mechanism; an extending member supporting an insertion end; the pin bearing end including internal threads configured to cooperate with the external thread arrangement on a first end of the rod; the extending member including internal threads configured to cooperate with the external thread arrangement on the second end of the rod; and the internal threads on the pin bearing end and the extending member and the external thread arrangement on the rod together configured to decrease or increase an overall length of the pin latch system using the activation mechanism.

2 . The aircraft door of claim 1 wherein the external threads on the first end of the rod exist are reversely oriented with respect to the threads on the second end of the rod.

3 . The aircraft door of claim 1 wherein the activation mechanism is configured to receive a tool for rotation of the rod.

4 . The aircraft door of claim 4 wherein the activation mechanism is integrated with and rotates with the rod, has a hexagonal shape, and is coaxial with the rod.

5 . The aircraft door of claim 1 wherein a rotation of the activation mechanism in a first axial direction shortens the overall length of the pin latch system, and a rotation of the activation system in a second opposite axial direction shortens the overall length of the pin latch system.

6 . The aircraft door of claim 1 comprising:
a pin keeper removably coupled to the rod configured to prevent axial rotation of the rod.

7 . The aircraft door of claim 6 wherein the pin keeper is removably attached to the rod by a fastener.

8 . The aircraft door of claim 6 wherein the pin keeper prevents rotation of the rod within either of the extending member or the pin bearing end.

9 . The aircraft door of claim 6 wherein the pin keeper interfaces with the external thread arrangement of the rod.

10 . The aircraft door of claim 9 wherein a first end of the pin keeper fits into a receiving groove configured into the extending member and a second end of the pin keeper fits into a groove configured into the pin bearing end to lock against rotation.

11 . The aircraft door of claim 10 wherein the pin keeper is configured to lock the pin latch system at a length desired for normal operation of the pin latch system.

12 . The aircraft door of claim 11 wherein the pin keeper includes laterally extending tangs designed to establish the length desired for normal operation.

13 . The aircraft door of claim 6 wherein the pin latch system is configured to enable clearance from the receptacle in the event the driving mechanism for the pin latch system is disabled.

14 . The aircraft door of claim 13 wherein the insertion end is configured to aid in locating and inserting.

15 . The aircraft door of claim 14 wherein the insertion end includes an angled portion which is angled to a tip.

16 . The aircraft door of claim 15 wherein a penetration of the insertion end past the angled portion to a body portion results in a snug fit in the receptacle.

17 . The aircraft door of claim 1 wherein the drive mechanism is a cam which is rotated by a door handle on the aircraft door.

18 . The aircraft door of claim 1 wherein an access panel is provided on the aircraft door, the access panel providing access to a user to the activation mechanism.

19 . A system for use in unlatching an aircraft door, the system comprising:
a pin system, the pin system configured for insertion into a receptacle in a door frame; the pin system configured to be operated primarily by a driving mechanism in the aircraft door, the driving mechanism configured to present the pin system in or out of an aircraft doorframe during normal operation; and the pin system including a backup retraction subsystem, the backup subsystem configured to allow for user access and manual retraction of the pin system from the receptacle upon a mechanical failure.

20 . A pin latch for an aircraft door including a backup length modification subsystem, the backup length modification subsystem comprising:
a threaded rod having reversely oriented threads on each end; an extending member arranged on an opposite end of the threaded member from a bearing member, the bearing member configured to drive the pin latch under ordinary operation; the extending member and pin bearing members being reversely internally threaded and being translatable apart while being also being secured against rotation; a removable pin keeper, the pin keeper being securable to the threaded member locking an overall length of the pin latch at a length for ordinary operation; a manual activation mechanism concealed behind a removable panel, the manual activation mechanism configured to drive the threaded member in the event of a mechanical failure.

Assignees

• Textron Aviation Inc

Inventors

• Smarsh Joseph Allan
• Johnson Evan Michael
• Bachman Timothy
• Conkling Richard S

Classifications

• B64C1/1407 Primary

  Doors; surrounding frames · CPC title

• B64C1/1461 Primary

  Structures of doors or surrounding frames · CPC title

• E05B77/30

  allowing opening by means of an inner door handle, even if the door is locked · CPC title

• E05B83/36

  Locks for passenger or like doors · CPC title

• B64C1/1415

  Cargo doors, e.g. incorporating ramps · CPC title