OPENING AND SECURE-CLOSING SYSTEM

Abstract

A safety open and closing system for an overpressure door on fuselage of an aircraft. Wherein the safety opening and closing system allows safe access through the overpressure door to the compartment. The safety open and closing system including an assembly of a hollow beam, a blocking bar in the hollow beam, a spring biasing the blocking bar with respect to the hollow beam and a lever at the end of the blocking beam which pivots between a position A that allows closure of the overpressure door and a position B preventing closure of the door.

Claims

1. An opening and secure-closing system for a door in a chamber of an aircraft, the opening and secure-closing system comprising: an overpressure door for the chamber and adapted to open towards an outside of the chamber; at least one rotatory fitting configured to be joined to a first frame structure of the chamber and to the overpressure door, wherein the at least one rotatory fitting is adapted to pivot about a first hinge axis of the overpressure door, and a safety device comprising, a fixing element configured to be joined to the first frame structure of the chamber, a beam joined to the fixing element by a first end of the beam, the beam being a hollow beam extending along a direction axis X-X which is perpendicular to the first hinge axis, a blocking bar arranged within the beam, wherein the blocking bar configured to move internally along the beam, a lever element hinged to the blocking bar and configured to moved between positions A and B, wherein the lever element is configured to be pulled away from the first frame structure in a direction parallel to the direction axis X-X at the same time that the blocking bar is also pulled in the same way as the lever element, to turn around the beam at the same time that the blocking bar is also configured to turn inside the beam in such a way that the lever element is movable between both positions A and B, and to contact with the at least one rotatory fitting being the lever element provided in the position B, and a spring arranged around the blocking bar and within the beam, wherein the blocking bar of the safety device is configured to traverse a first passage hole of the first frame structure of the chamber, the pulling movement of the lever element allows it to move away from the first frame structure in such a way that the spring is compressed by the actuation of the blocking bar along the beam allowing the lever element stars turning around the beam, and when the lever element is in position B, in contact with the rotatory fitting, the overpressure door is prevented from closing.

2. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 1, wherein the position A is substantially 180 degrees opposite to position B of the lever element.

3. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 1, wherein the beam comprises a first retention element and a second retention element which extents longitudinally from the beam, the retention element being configured to maintain the lever element fixed at positions A or B.

4. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 3, wherein the spring is configured to be compressed when the lever element is pulled until is released from the first retention means of the beam, allowing the lever element to turn around the retention means of the beam from the position A to the position B of such lever element or vice versa.

5. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 1, wherein the blocking bar comprises a first projection around the blocking bar, the first projection in contact with the beam and in contact with the spring such that the first projection is configured to force the spring during the pulling movement of the lever element.

6. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 1, wherein the blocking bar further comprises a second projection which extends longitudinally from a second end of the blocking bar, the second projection being joined to the lever element.

7. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 6, wherein the second protrusion is configured to turn at the same time that the lever element turns around the beam.

8. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a first door and a second door adapted for: accessing the interior of the chamber, opening towards the outside of the chamber, the first door and the second door being configured to pivot around a second hinge axis and a third hinge axis respectively, and housing the overpressure door in at least one of the doors.

9. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 8, wherein the system further comprising securing means configured to ensure the closure of the first door and second door, the securing means located in a fixed structure within the chamber.

10. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 9, wherein the securing means are configured to house a first end of the blocking bar when the lever element is provided in position A.

11. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 8, wherein the system further comprises a driving element for the opening/closing operation arranged inside of the chamber.

12. The opening and secure-closing system according to claim 1, wherein the overpressure door comprises at least one latch faced outside the chamber.

13. An aircraft comprising a chamber with the opening and secure-closing system according to claim 1.

14. An opening and secure-closing system including: an overpressure door for a chamber within a fuselage of an aircraft, wherein the overpressure door is at an outer surface of the fuselage; a first frame structure extending longitudinally in a direction parallel to a hinge axis; a rotatory fitting joined to the first frame structure in the chamber and to the overpressure door, wherein the rotatory fitting pivots the overpressure door about the hinge axis, and a safety device including: a fixing element attached to the first frame structure; a hollow beam having a first end attached to the fixing element and a second end region opposite to the first end, wherein the beam extends into the chamber from the first frame structure along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the hinge axis; a blocking bar within and coaxial to the hollow beam, wherein the blocking bar moves along the longitudinal axis with respects to the hollow beam; a lever element having a hinge pivotably connected to the second end region of the hollow beam and a projection abutting the second end region of the hollow beam, wherein the lever element pivots between positions A and B, and a spring coaxial with and in the hollow beam and biasing the blocking bar along the longitudinal direction, wherein, as the lever element pivots from position A to position B, the projection of the lever element moves along the second end of the hollow beam and thereby pulls the blocking bar partially out of the hollow beam and compresses the spring; and wherein while in position B, the lever element contacts the rotatory fitting and thereby prevents pivoting of the rotatory fitting and prevents closure of the overpressure door.

15. The opening and secure-closing system of claim 14 wherein the chamber is in a tail cone of a fuselage of the aircraft and is configured to house an auxiliary power unit.

16. The opening and secure-closing system of claim 14 wherein the second end region of the hollow beam includes surfaces slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis and the slanted surfaces engage the projection of the lever element.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] These and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearly understood in view of the detailed description of the invention which becomes apparent from a preferred embodiment of the invention, given just as an example and not being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows an overpressure door and a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a perspective cross sectional view of the safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an overpressure door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a lateral view of an overpressure door according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] FIGS. 7A and 7B show the safety device in a particular position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] FIGS. 8A and 8B show the safety device in a particular position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 9 is an upper schematic view of two maintenance doors according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, and

[0064] FIG. 10 shows an aircraft according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065] FIG. 1 shows an opening and secure-closing system for doors (14, 15 shown in FIG. 9) arranged in a chamber (18 shown in FIG. 9.) of an aircraft (19 shown in FIG. 10). The opening and secure-closing system comprises an overpressure door (1) arranged in a chamber (18) of an aircraft (19). Such chamber (18) comprises a first frame structure (3) and two rotatory fittings (2) joined to the first frame structure (3) and to the overpressure door (1). The overpressure door (1) comprises a first hing axis (4) on which such rotatory fittings (2) hinge around when the overpressure door (1) is opened towards the outside of the chamber (18), or when the overpressure door (1) is closed towards the inside of the chamber (18) (shown in FIG. 6).

[0066] Furthermore, the system comprises a safety device (5) joined to the first frame structure (3) of the chamber (18) and located between two rotatory fittings (2). The safety device (5) prevents the overpressure door (1) from closing while a lever element (9) is in a position B, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The safety device (5) including an assembly of a hollow beam (7), a blocking bar (8) in the hollow beam, a spring (10) biasing the blocking bar with respect to the hollow beam, and a lever element (9) at the end of the blocking beam which pivots between a position A (FIGS. 7A and 7B) that allows closure of the overpressure door and a position B (FIGS. 8A and 8B) preventing closure of the door. The lever element (9) prevents closure of the door by preventing pivoting of the rotatory fittings (2) that form a hinge between the door (1) and the fuselage.

[0067] The overpressure door (1) comprises two latches (13) which are manually reached from outside the chamber (18) for the opening operation of the overpressure door (1). FIG. 1 shows structures inside the chamber (18) including a view of the back of the latches (13). The latches face outward of the chamber and fuselage and are accessible from outside the chamber (18).

[0068] FIGS. 2 and 3 shows a safety device (5) which comprises a fixing element (6) joined to the first frame structure (3), a beam (7) joined to the fixing element (6) by its first end (7.1) and arranged in contact with a lever element (9) which is hingedly connected to a blocking bar (8) located within the beam (7). The beam (7) is a hollow beam provided in a direction axis X-X which is perpendicular to the first hinge axis (4). Such beam (7) comprises retention means (7.3, 7.4) which extend longitudinally at an end of the beam (7) opposite to the first end (7.1).

[0069] The lever element (9) of the safety device (5) is arranged in a horizontal position A which comprises a direction parallel to the direction axis X-X. Thanks to the retention means (7.3, 7.4) the lever element (9) is fixed in the position A (FIGS. 7A and 7B, and in FIGS. 2 and 3), and can also be fixed in a position B (FIGS. 8A and 8b). The lever element (9) is arranged in the position B when the lever element (9) is in contact with the rotatory fitting (2). Additionally, the lever element (9) comprises a hole (9.3) through which an operator can easily hold the lever element (9).

[0070] The lever element (9) comprises a first end (9.1) and a second end (9.2) being opposite between them in a direction parallel to the first hinge axis (4). The lever element (9) is joined by its first end (9.1) to a second projection (8.4) of a blocking bar (8) (shown on FIG. 3), being the second end (9.2) of the lever element (9) a free end. The joint between the first end (9.1) of the lever element (9) and the second projection (8.4) allows such lever element (9) and the blocking bar (8) to move at the same time.

[0071] The lever element (9) comprises two projections (9.4, 9.5) which extent longitudinally from the lever element (9) in its first ends (9.1), in such a way that the second projection (8.4) of the blocking bar (8) is located and joined between the two projections (9.4, 9.5) of the lever element (9). Thus, the second projection (8.4) of the blocking bar (8) is housed between the two projections (9.4, 9.5).

[0072] Additionally, the lever element (9) decreases its thickness from its first end (9.1) to the second end (9.2).

[0073] FIG. 3 shows a safety device (5) with a blocking bar (8) located within the beam (7) and going through a first passage hole (3.1) of the first frame structure (3) of the chamber (18). The safety device (5) also comprises a spring (10) located around the blocking bar (8) and within the beam (7).

[0074] The blocking bar (8) comprises a first projection (8.3) in contact with the interior of the beam (7) and also in contact with one of the end of the spring (10). In this particular example, the spring (10) comprises a first end (10.1) and a second end (10.2) in such a way that the first end (10.1) is closer to the first passage hole (3.1) of the first frame structure (3) than the second end (10.2) which is opposite to the first end (10.1) in the direction axis X-X. Thus, the first projection (8.3) of the blocking bar (8) is in contact with the first end (10.1) of the spring (10). In a particular embodiment, the first projection (8.3) is a circumferential projection arranged around the blocking bar (8).

[0075] When the lever element (9) is pulled, moving away from the first frame structure (3) in a direction parallel to the direction axis X-X, the blocking bar (8) is also pulled in the same way as the lever element (9) at the same time, in such a way that the spring is compressed by the actuation of the blocking bar (8) along the beam (7). The compress movement of the spring is performed because the first projection (8.3) of the blocking bar (8) pushes the spring away from the first passage hole (3.1) of the first frame structure (3).

[0076] The retention means (7.3, 7.4) of the beam (7) comprises a thickness greater than the thickness of the beam (7), is such a way that a thick jump (7.2) is configured to stop the spring (10) in its second end (10.2). Thus the first projection (8.3) of the blocking bar (8) and the thick jump (7.2) of the beam (7) provide the compress movement of the spring (10).

[0077] The second projection (8.4) of the blocking bar (8) is a projection extending longitudinally from the second end (8.2) of the blocking bar (8). In this particular example, part of the projection (8.4) joined to the lever element (9) stand out from the retention means (7.3, 7.4) of the beam (7) in a cantilever.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a particular example wherein the system comprises securing means (11) located in a fixed structure (12) of the chamber (18). The blocking bar (8) comprises a first end (8.1) which is housed in the securing means (11) when the lever element is in its position A, as is shown in FIG. 7B. The first end (8.1) is pulled out of the securing means when the lever element is in position B, as is shown FIG. 8B.

[0079] FIG. 4 shows the safety device (5) with a lever element (9) arranged in its position A, and a blocking bar (8) going through the first passage hole (3.1) of the first frame structure (3) in such a way that the first end (8.1) of the blocking bar (8) is arranged in cantilever.

[0080] FIG. 5 shows an overpressure door (1) partially open due to the pivoting movement of the rotatory fittings (2) around the first hinge axis (4). As it can be observed in this figure, the overpressure door (1) is open in the flight direction of the aircraft (19). The overpressure door (1) comprises a first side (1.1) faced to the inside of the chamber (18) when the overpressure door (1) is closed, and a second side (1.2) faced outside the chamber when the overpressure door (1) is open or closed.

[0081] FIG. 6 shows a lateral view of the overpressure door (1) open towards the outside of the chamber (18), in such a way that the first side (1.1) of such overpressure door (1) is faced to the flight direction of the aircraft (19).

[0082] FIGS. 7A and 7B show different views of the lever element (9) of the safety device (5) in the position A when the lever element (9) is free of contact at its second end (9.2). In position A, the lever element (9) is arranged in a horizontal position parallel to the first hinge axis (4).

[0083] FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of the safety device (5) with a lever element (9) arranged in its position A, and an overpressure door (1) open (not shown). The lever element (9) being arranged perpendicular to the flight direction of the aircraft (19). Additionally, in this figure it is shown a first arrow (20) which represents the direction of the turning movement of the lever element (9) when the lever element (9) is moved from the position A to the position B. Also, in this figure it is shown a second arrow (21) which represents the direction of the pulling movement of the lever element (9) when such lever element (9) is pulled in a direction contrary to the flight direction.

[0084] Furthermore, in this particular example the first end (8.1) of the blocking bar (8) is in cantilever after the blocking bar (8), in such a way that such blocking bar (8) goes through the first frame structure (3) (not shown in FIG. 7A).

[0085] FIG. 7B shows an upper view of the safety device (5) with a lever element (9) arranged in its position A. Additionally, in the figure it is shown securing means (11), located in a fixed structure (12), wherein the blocking bar (8) is housed by its first end (8.1). Thus, the securing means ensure the closure of the maintenance doors (14, 15) of the chamber (18) of the aircraft (19).

[0086] While the overpressure door (1) is closed, the lever element (9) of the safety device (5) is provided in the position A, and the blocking bar (8) is in cantilever (not shown in FIG. 7A), or the blocking bar (8) is housed in the securing means (11) (shown in FIG. 7B). Also, while the overpressure door (1) is already open, but the safety device (5) has not yet been activated, the lever element (9) is provided in the position A, and the blocking bar (8) is in cantilever (not shown in FIG. 7A), or the blocking bar (8) is housed in the securing means (11) (shown in FIG. 7B).

[0087] FIGS. 8A and 8B show different views of the lever element (9) of the safety device (5) in the position B when the lever element (9) is in contact with the rotatory fitting (2).

[0088] FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of the safety device (5) with a lever element (9) arranged in its position B, and an overpressure door (1) open (not shown).

[0089] In this particular example the first end (8.1) of the blocking bar (8) is also in cantilever, but the first end (8.1) is now closer to the first frame structure (3) (not shown in FIG. 8A) than in the particular example of FIG. 7A. This is because in FIG. 8A the lever element (9) is already pulled and turned until it contacts with the rotatory fitting (2).

[0090] FIG. 8B shows an upper view of the safety device (5) with a lever element (9) arranged in its position B. Additionally, in the figure it is shown securing means (11), located in a fixed structure (12), and how the first end (8.1) of the blocking bar (8) is in cantilever between the securing means (11) and the first frame structure (3). In this particular example, as it can be observed, the blocking bar (8) is not housed in securing means because the lever element (9) is already pulled and turned until it contacts with the rotatory fitting (2). Thus, the securing means (11) now allows the opening/closing operation of the maintenance doors (14, 15) of the chamber (18) of an aircraft (19).

[0091] FIGS. 7A and 8A show the movement operation of the lever element (9) of the safety device (5) for preventing the closure of the overpressure door (1) by the actuation of an operator. Also, the blocking elements provided by the present safety device (5) are shown, such blocking elements being the lever element (9) and the securing means (11).

[0092] FIGS. 7B and 8B show the movement operation of the lever element (9) of a safety device (5) for preventing the closure of the overpressure door (1) by the actuation of an operator, and also for allowing the opening/closing operation of the maintenance doors (14, 15) by the actuation of driving means by an operator.

[0093] FIG. 9 shows an upper schematic view inside the chamber (18) of a first maintenance door (14) and a second maintenance door (15) parallel between them and the flight direction of the aircraft (19). These doors (14, 15) comprise two hinge axes (16, 17) respectively over which the doors (14, 15) hinge around in its opening/closing operation. In this particular example, the hinge axes (16, 17) are parallel to the flight direction of the aircraft (19).

[0094] Furthermore, in this FIG. 9 it is shown an overpressure door (1) arranged in the first maintenance door (14) and including a light safety device (5) located between two rotatory fittings (2). Additionally, the overpressure door (1) comprises two latches (13) located in an end of the overpressure door (1) being opposite to the rotatory fittings (2) in the flight direction of the aircraft (19).

[0095] FIG. 10 shows a lateral view of an aircraft (19) including a light safety device (5) (not shown) according to the present invention.

[0096] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.