WO2008030797A2

WO2008030797A2 - Locking strut

Info

Publication number: WO2008030797A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/077515
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dickory Rudduck; Jimmy Quang Viet-Doan; Geoffrey Sizer; Lee David Blattmann; Paul Kudma
Original assignee: Telezygology, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-09-06
Filing date: 2007-09-04
Publication date: 2008-03-13
Also published as: WO2008030797A3

Abstract

This invention comprises a locking strut fastener assembly 2 comprising an outer body 4 in a relationship with an inner body 6; the inner body 6 having a moveable locking mechanism 22; at least one locking point 14 for receiving said moveable locking mechanism 22; a locking means 20 adapted to engage said moveable locking mechanism 22 when received in said locking point 14; and an unlocking means comprising material adapted to contract 16 when activated to allow for disengagement from the locking point 14.

Description

LOCKING STRUT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a locking strut fastener assembly. While the locking strut fastener assembly of the invention may have wide application in any door or lock situation, the description below will focus on fastener assemblies used in the aerospace industry, especially those found in storage compartments of airplanes. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention covers a fastener assembly with a wide range of application. These represent improvements over prior art fasteners and fastener assemblies, etc.

The fasteners of the invention may be particularly suitable for use in connection with automobiles, aerospace, or home use and to some extent the description below may focus on these applications. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to any one application of the invention.

There is a marked trend improving current fastener assemblies. Industries are looking for fasteners that are beyond the standard of providing a closure mechanism. The automotive and aerospace industries especially desire fasteners that can provide feedback or electronic control for the user as to whether a compartment is sealed, whether a panel is affixed properly, one that can adjust a window based on temperature etc. In many instances, a linear fastener is what is needed. The present invention in some of its aspects is intended to take advantage of the trend towards increased electronic control and feedback. The present invention provides several versions of a fastener assembly which may be suitable for use in many settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides for a fastener which represents a variation of a fastener disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/AU2004/001580 (namely the inline fastener description). The inline fastener described in that application describes a pin fitting into an aperture and being locked into place. The pin can be unlocked when the material adapted to contract is activated.

Accordingly, this invention relates to a locking strut fastener assembly comprising

an outer body in a relationship with an inner body;

said inner body having a moveable locking mechanism; ,

at least one locking point for receiving said moveable locking mechanism;

a locking means adapted to engage said moveable locking mechanism when received in said locking point; and

an unlocking means comprising material adapted to contract when activated to allow for disengagement from the locking point.

The locking strut fastener assembly further comprises attachment points. These attachment points connect the fastener to the item it is fastening, such as a window, an airplane overhead compartment, etc. The attachment point may be attached in a variety of manners from using a standard fastener, such as a screw or a nut and bolt, to using glue, tacks, etc. One skilled in the art will recognize that the any mode of attachment may be sufficient to attach the fastener assembly to the item it is fastening. The exact method of attachment varies on the situation.

In aspects of the invention discussed below, reference is made to material adapted to contract when activated. The material adapted to contract when activated is preferably shape memory alloy wire. Shape memory alloys are known and are usually made predominantly or wholly of titanium and nickel. They may also include other material, such as aluminium, zinc and copper. A shape memory alloy is capable of adopting one shape below a predetermined transition temperature and changing to a second shape once its temperature exceeds the transition temperature. Conversely, when the shape memory alloy cools below the transition temperature, it is capable of adopting the first shape again. In connection with the various aspects of the present invention, the shape memory alloy contracts when heated in situ. Shape memory alloy wire currently available, such as that sold under the trade mark Nitinol, is capable of contracting by about 3% when activated by heating.

Activation of the material adapted to contract when activated is preferably achieved through electrical resistance heating, with a wire feed to the assembly. Activation of the shape memory alloy wire can be initiated from a central location, using the wiring system of, for example, an air craft or automobile. It is also within the scope of this invention that the activation is initiated by remote means, such as a hand held tool operating through the use of any suitable form of energy, including microwave, electric magnetic, sonic, infra-red, radio frequency and so on.

The scope of the invention in its various aspects is not necessarily limited to the use of shape memory alloy. Other material may also be useful. Also, while activation may take place through heating, other means of activation may be suitable and are within the scope of this invention.

In its locked state, the fastener assembly in fully engaged in a locking point. Position sensors may be utilized to determine the exact locking point desired. The number of locking points is infinite along the fastener assembly. In some situations there only may be one or two, in other situations many may be necessary. One necessarily skilled in the art will recognize that the number and position of locking points varies on the application the fastener assembly is used in.

The moveable locking mechanism engages into the locking point in the locked position. For purposes of describing this invention, the moveable locking mechanism is a pin-like mechanism. However, the moveable locking mechanism may embody a variety of forms best suited for a particular locking situation. The locking pin blocker aids in maintain the moveable locking mechanism's position along the outer body.

When the fastener assembly is desired to be unlocked, the material adapted to contract is activated and the inner body moves thereby creating movement for the locking pin blocker. This movement disengages the moveable locking mechanism and provides free movement along the length of the outer body.

Movement of the fastener assembly may be dampened allowing for controlled movement of the fastener. Dampening may occur by fluid or gas moving along the inside of the outer body creating a piston-like environment between the inner body and the outer body. Along the collar of the inner body may be a gas or fluid bypass allowing for controlled movement. It is also possible to utilize magneto rheological fluid to aid in the dampening process. In this case, a magnetic coil is needed within the collar to create the desired magnetic effect.

Magneto rheological materials are fluids that solidify into a thick consistency in the presence of a magnetic field and then re-liquefy when that force is removed. The magnetic coil can create a desired magnetic field to solidify or liquefy the fluid so that a desired pressure can be reached within the relationship between the inner and outer bodies.

External chambers may also be used to control the pressure between the inner and outer bodies. Fluid or gas may flow from one external chamber to another creating the desired pressure or one external chamber may be used acting as a pressure balance point.

Certain situations may require the linking of more then one fastener assembly together. This can create a multistage environment for the fastener assemblies so that they can telescope out to reach a desired locking position. Fastener assembly may be linked in one direction or may be bi-directional.

Other situations may require the use of multiple strands of material adapted to contract. In those cases as many strands may be added to achieve a desired result.

One skilled in the art will recognize that any combination of the above-described fastener assembly may be used in conjunction with each other.

The fastener assembly further comprises electronics that can be powered by the item needing to be fastened or by another external power source. The electronics can provide feedback to a user such as whether the fastener is locked, it may activate a fastener based on temperature or pressure, or can sense if maintenance is needed. It is recognized that the fastener assembly may be programmed to identify a wide variety of controlling factors depending on the situation it is used in.

The fastener assembly of the invention may also include a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the shape memory alloy wire in the preferred embodiments.

This can adjust the amount of energy applied to the shape memory alloy wire, depending on sensed temperature, to take into account varying conditions. For example, if the temperature is relatively low, a larger amount of power may need to be delivered to the shape memory alloy wire to heat it to the desired temperature. Conversely, if the temperature is high, the amount of power to be delivered to the shape memory alloy wire in order to cause it to contract may be far less. A temperature sensor can enable feedback and cause adjustment of power delivery in this regard.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the fastener assembly comprises a microprocessor which can carry out one or several roles. The microprocessor can control the energy delivery to the shape memory alloy wire, preferably by a temperature- dependent algorithm. The microprocessor can control temperature of the shape memory alloy wire. It can sense the state of the fastening assembly and whether it is engaged or not. The microprocessor can detect whether the pin is present in the fastening assembly. The microprocessor may report this, along with secondary sensed information, to a network of which the fastening assembly forms a part. Preferably, the microprocessor carries out all these roles.

This fastening assembly is capable of being produced at a low cost, with minimum parts and in a very small size. It is suited to high volume mass production and may be designed so as to require only low power consumption, if thin shape memory alloy wires are used.

Optionally, the fastening assembly of the invention has a manual override so that the fastening assembly can be released in case of a power failure or if it is required to test the fastening assembly before power has been connected, for example.

One skilled in the art will recognize that there may be instances where a user may want to use this locking assembly in a manual fashion. This may be a case where electricity is unavailable or simply because a user desires a manual mode of releasing the lock. This invention can be capable of operation in a manual setting.

Other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description of the drawings and the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the locking strut fastener assembly generally.

FIG. 2 depicts the locking strut assembly in the locked position.

FIG. 2A depicts the locking strut fastener assembly in the unlocked position.

FIG. 3A depicts the collar utilizing a gas bybass collar.

FIG. 3B depicts the collar utilizing a coil magnet collar for magneto rheological fluid dampening.

FIG. 4A depicts the locking strut fastener assembly utilizing external chambers.

FIG. 4B depicts the locking strut fastener assembly utilizing an external chamber. FIG. 5A depicts a multistage locking strut fastener assembly in its extended position.

FIG. 5B depicts a multistage locking strut fastener assembly in its compacted form.

FIG. 6 depicts the locking strut fastener assembly utilizing multiple strips of the material adapted to contract when activated.

FIG. 7A depicts another variation of a multistage locking strut fastener assembly in an unlocked state.

FIG. 7B depicts another variation of a multistage locking strut fastener assembly in a locked state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Its one of its preferred embodiments this invention is a locking strut fastener assembly 2 comprising an outer body 4 in a relationship with an inner body 6; the inner body 6 having a moveable locking mechanism 22; at least one locking point 14 for receiving said moveable locking mechanism 22; a locking means 20 adapted to engage said moveable locking mechanism 22 when received in said locking point 14; and an unlocking means comprising material adapted to contract 16 when activated to allow for disengagement from the locking point 14.

In its locked state, the inner body 6 of the locking strut fastener assembly 2 is locked into the outer body 4. This is seen clearly in Figure 2. The movable locking mechanism 22 is engaged into the locking point 14 by way of the locking means 20. When the fastener assembly 2 is adjusting position in between locked states, in its unlocked position the material adapted to contract when activated 16 contracts so that the inner body 6 is free to move along the length of the outer body 4 to another desired location. The movable locking mechanism 22 is pinched by the outer body 4 and moves freely to another location as seen in Figure 2A.

In one preferred embodiment the locking strut fastener assembly 2 can be dampened by fluid or gas. The fluid or gas is to be maintained within the inside of the outer body 4. Gas or fluid must maintain a desired pressure to reach a desired dampening affect. Figures 3A and 3B depicts collars 24 that aid in the dampening effect. Figure 3A depicts a gas bypass 28 within the collar. Figure 3B depicts a magnetic coil 30 for controlling the pressure when using magneto rheological fluid.

Another preferred embodiment may utilize external chamber 32 in conjunction with the locking strut fastener assembly 2 to aid in controlling movement of the inner body 6 within the outer body.

In another preferred embodiment, more then one locking strut fastener assembly 2 may be linked together as seen in Figures 5A, 5B, 7A, and 7B. This will allow the fastener assembly 2 to function at multiple stages. For instance, one fastener assembly 2 may lock in one position but when it needs to be extended to a longer length, another fastener assembly 2 will extend creating a telescopic environment.

The invention may be described in terms of claims that can assist the skilled reader in understanding the various aspects and preferments of the invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Industrial Applicability

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the various arts, this invention disclosed herein is not limited to the examples set our above and has wide application in many areas. This invention represents a significant advance in the art of locking struts.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A locking strut fastener assembly comprising

an outer body in a relationship with an inner body;

said inner body having a moveable locking mechanism;

at least one locking point for receiving said moveable locking mechanism;

a locking means adapted to engage said moveable locking mechanism when received in said locking point;

an unlocking means comprising material adapted to contract when activated to allow for disengagement from the locking point;

2. A locking strut fastener assembly as in claim 1 further comprising attachment means.

3. A locking strut fastener assembly as in claim 1 further comprising position sensors.

4. A locking strut fastener assembly as in claim 3 wherein said inner body moves along length of said outer body to a desired position recognized by said position sensors.

5. A locking strut fastener assembly as in claim 4 wherein said movable locking mechanism engages with said locking point and is locked into place by said locking means.

6. A locking strut fastener assembly as in Claim 5 wherein said inner body is disengaged from locking point said material adapted to contract is activated.

7. A locking strut fastener assembly as in Claim 1 wherein said fastener assembly can be dampened.

8. A locking strut fastener assembly as in claim 7 where said dampening can be gas or fluid.

9. A locking strut fastener assembly as in claim 1 where said fastener assembly may be linked to another of said fastener assembly.

10. A locking strut fastener assembly as in claim 1 wherein more then one said material adapted to contract when activated is used.

11. A locking strut fastener assembly as in claim 1 further comprises electronics.