Conformal actuator operated aircraft cargo restraint mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9937997-B2
Application number	US-201514884557-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 15, 2015
Priority date	Oct 15, 2015
Publication date	Apr 10, 2018
Grant date	Apr 10, 2018

Abstract

A cargo system is provided. The cargo system may comprise a floor panel, a cargo sled configured to move across the floor panel, and a cargo restraint configured to translate relative to the floor panel. The cargo restraint may comprise a longitudinal restraint rod configured to protrude from the floor panel in a deployed position. The cargo restraint may also comprise a restraint surface disposed on the longitudinal restraint rod. The cargo restraint may enable the cargo sled to pass over the restraint surface in a stowed position. An electromechanical actuator may be mechanically coupled to the longitudinal restraint rod and configured to deploy and stow the cargo restraint.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cargo system, comprising:
a floor panel;
a cargo sled configured to move across the floor panel;
a cargo restraint configured to translate relative to the floor panel, the cargo restraint comprising:
a longitudinal restraint rod configured to protrude from the floor panel in a deployed position; and
a restraint surface disposed on the longitudinal restraint rod, wherein the cargo restraint is configured to enable the cargo sled to pass over the restraint surface in a stowed position;

an electromechanical actuator mechanically coupled to the longitudinal restraint rod, wherein the electromechanical actuator is configured to deploy and stow the cargo restraint; and
a position sensor in communication with the electromechanical actuator, wherein the electromechanical actuator is configured to automatically stow the cargo restraint in response to the position sensor detecting a motion of the cargo sled towards the cargo restraint.

2. The cargo system of claim 1 , wherein the restraint surface is configured to lie flush with the floor panel or recessed within the floor panel in the stowed position.

3. The cargo system of claim 1 , wherein the electromechanical actuator is configured to automatically deploy the cargo restraint in response to the position sensor detecting a motion of the cargo sled away from the cargo restraint.

4. The cargo system of claim 1 , further comprising a tie-off clevis defined by the longitudinal restraint rod.

5. The cargo system of claim 1 , wherein the restraint surface is configured to be received by a notch of a cargo.

6. The cargo system of claim 1 , further comprising a deployment guide disposed on the longitudinal restraint rod.

7. The cargo system of claim 6 , further comprising a deployment guide pin configured to slideably engage the deployment guide.

8. The cargo system of claim 7 , wherein the cargo restraint is configured to rotate in response to the deployment guide pin slideably engaging the deployment guide.

9. The cargo system of claim 1 , further comprising a swivel structure coupled between the electromechanical actuator and the cargo restraint, wherein the swivel structure is configured to allow the cargo restraint to rotate independent from the electromechanical actuator.

10. A cargo system, comprising:
a support structure configured to support a cargo;
a cargo restraint coupled to the support structure and comprising:
a longitudinal restraint rod configured to engage the support structure; and
a restraint surface disposed on the longitudinal restraint rod;

an electromechanical actuator coupled to the longitudinal restraint rod, wherein the electromechanical actuator is configured to deploy and stow the cargo restraint; and
a position sensor in communication with the electromechanical actuator, wherein the electromechanical actuator is configured to stow the cargo restraint in response to the position sensor detecting a motion of the cargo sled towards the cargo restraint.

11. The cargo system of claim 10 , further comprising a floor panel disposed over the support structure, wherein the restraint surface is configured to be at least one of flush with the floor panel or recessed in the floor panel in response to the cargo restraint being in a stowed position.

12. The cargo system of claim 10 , wherein the electromechanical actuator is configured to deploy the cargo restraint in response to the position sensor detecting a motion of the cargo sled away from the cargo restraint.

13. The cargo system of claim 10 , further comprising a deployment guide disposed on the longitudinal restraint rod.

14. The cargo system of claim 13 , further comprising a deployment guide pin configured to slideably engage the deployment guide.

15. The cargo system of claim 14 , wherein the cargo restraint is configured to rotate in response to the deployment guide pin slideably engaging the deployment guide.

16. A cargo restraint, comprising:
a longitudinal restraint rod;
a restraint surface disposed on the longitudinal restraint rod; and
an electromechanical actuator coupled to the longitudinal restraint rod opposite the restraint surface, wherein the electromechanical actuator is configured to translate the longitudinal restraint rod along an axis of the longitudinal restraint rod, wherein the electromechanical actuator is in communication with a position sensor and is configured to automatically stow the cargo restraint in response to the position sensor detecting a motion of a cargo toward the cargo restraint.

17. The cargo restraint of claim 16 , further comprising a deployment guide disposed on the longitudinal restraint rod, wherein the longitudinal restraint rod is configured to rotate about the axis in response to a pin slideably engaging the deployment guide.

18. The cargo restraint of claim 16 , further comprising a tie-off clevis disposed on the longitudinal restraint rod.

Assignees

• Goodrich Corp

Inventors

• Himmelmann Richard

Classifications

• B64C1/20

  specially adapted for freight · CPC title

• B64C1/22 Primary

  Other structures integral with fuselages to facilitate loading {, e.g. cargo bays, cranes} · CPC title

• B60P7/15

  the load bracing means comprising a movable bar · CPC title

• B64D9/003 Primary

  Devices for retaining pallets or freight containers · CPC title