Decoupled aircraft seat actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9290272-B1
Application number	US-201514618033-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Feb 10, 2015
Priority date	Feb 10, 2015
Publication date	Mar 22, 2016
Grant date	Mar 22, 2016

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for an aircraft seat with a decoupled linear actuator. The linear actuator may activate a first adjustable feature by moving in a first direction. The linear actuator may include a decoupling mechanism. The decoupling mechanism may decouple the first adjustable feature from the linear actuator in response to loss of power to the linear actuator.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A linear actuator system for an aircraft seat comprising:
a linear actuator;
an actuator trolley coupled to the linear actuator;
a first link coupled to the actuator trolley;
a second link located at least partially within the second link;
a locking ball located within an aperture in the first link and an aperture in the second link; and
a decoupling rod located within the second link, wherein the decoupling rod comprises a cylindrical body and a tapered shoulder.

2. The linear actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the second link comprises a lost motion gap.

3. The linear actuator system of claim 2 , further comprising a third link comprising a pin located within the lost motion gap.

4. The linear actuator system of claim 1 , further comprising a decoupling cable coupled to the decoupling rod.

5. The linear actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the linear actuator is a dual-function linear actuator.

6. The linear actuator system of claim 1 , further comprising a spring configured to apply a force between the decoupling rod and the second link.

7. The linear actuator system of claim 1 , further comprising a third link pivotably coupled to the second link.

8. The linear actuator system of claim 1 , wherein the locking ball is configured to prevent the first link from translating relative to the second link.

9. An aircraft seat comprising:
a linear actuator;
a first link coupled to the linear actuator;
a second link comprising a substantially cylindrical portion located at least partially within the first link; and
a decoupling rod located within the second link, wherein the decoupling rod is configured to decouple the first link from the second link.

10. The aircraft seat of claim 9 , wherein the linear actuator is a dual-function linear actuator.

11. The aircraft seat of claim 9 , wherein the decoupling rod comprises a locking pin.

12. The aircraft seat of claim 9 , wherein the decoupling rod comprises a tapered shoulder.

13. The aircraft seat of claim 9 , further comprising a locking ball located at least partially within an aperture in the first link and at least partially within an aperture in the second link.

14. The aircraft seat of claim 9 , further comprising a decoupling cable coupled to the decoupling rod.

15. The aircraft seat of claim 9 , further comprising a third link pivotably coupled to the second link.

Assignees

• Ami Ind Inc

Inventors

• Hoover Douglas E
• Ferguson Keith M

Classifications

• B60N2/1853

  Linear actuator, e.g. screw mechanism · CPC title

• B60N2/067 Primary

  by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms · CPC title

• F15B15/00

  Fluid-actuated devices for displacing a member from one position to another; Gearing associated therewith · CPC title

• A47C1/02

  Reclining or easy chairs · CPC title

• B60N2/02

  the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable (adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806) · CPC title