Aircraft stores vertical extension and retraction system

Abstract

Abstract The invention is an aircraft stores extension and retraction system 10 for raising and lowering stores mounted to a stores support assembly 69 along a substantially vertical path 94' of a specified length. The system 10 comprises first and second translating links 40A and 40B, each having first 42A, 42B, second 44A, 44B, and third 46A, 46B pivot supports, forming the corners of a right triangle. The second pivot supports 44A, 44B, are pivotally attached to stores support assembly 69. At least one connecting link 50 is pivotally attached at its first and second ends to the third pivot supports 46A, 46B of the first and second translating links 40A, 40B, respectively. First and second positioning links 30A, 30B are provided, each having first ends 32A, 32B and second ends 35A, 35B. The first ends 32A, 32B of the positioning links are pivotally attached to the structure 33 of the aircraft and the second ends 35A 35B are pivotally attached to the first pivot supports 42A, 42B of the first and second translating links 40A, 40B, respectively. At least one control link 60 is provided having first and second ends 62A 64A. The first end 64A of the at least one control link 60A is pivotally attached to the structure 33 of the aircraft and the second end 62A is pivotally attached to the third pivot support 46A of the first translating link 40A. Actuators 82 are coupled to the structure and the first and second positioning links 30A, 30B and are adapted to cause the positioning links 30A, 30B to pivot about their first ends. Thus, as the first and second positioning links 30A, 30B pivot, the second pivot supports 44A, 44B translate substantially along a vertical path 94.

Inventors

• 👤 John B. Kalisz

Bibliographic Details