WO2012085404A1

WO2012085404A1 - Instrument for measuring the position of an aircraft flap

Info

Publication number: WO2012085404A1
Application number: PCT/FR2011/053017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pierre CHINAUD
Original assignee: Airbus Operations
Priority date: 2010-12-21
Filing date: 2011-12-16
Publication date: 2012-06-28
Also published as: FR2969277B1; FR2969277A1

Abstract

The measurement instrument (2) comprises: - a support (4) exhibiting a bearing face (8) defining a plane, - a gauge (40) mounted slideably on the support so that a free end (43) of the gauge is able to intercept the plane some distance from the bearing face with the bearing face lying on one side only of the gauge, and - a member (54) able to measure a distance between the free end and the plane, whether the gauge lies short of or beyond the plane. The instrument does not comprise any element able to lie opposite the bearing face.

Description

Instrument for measuring the position of a flap of an airplane

The invention relates to the manufacture of aircraft and in particular the positioning of flaps.

The position of the flaps worn by the wings of an airplane must be adjusted accurately during manufacture. The measurement of this position is currently done by means of two instruments, one of which forms a template and the other a gauge of measurement. But this device has many disadvantages. Thus, the display of the gauge is sometimes misguided relative to the operator responsible for reading the measurement. This forces him either to move during the measurement, or to take a difficult posture to read the value on the display, or even to repeat the operation to facilitate the reading of the measurement, which causes a loss of time. The simultaneous maintenance of these instruments under the wing is particularly inconvenient. Finally, the presence of two instruments and the need to read the value provided by the display means that two operators are required to perform the measurement. One is in charge of maintaining the template and the other to position the gauge and raise the measured coast.

An object of the invention is to facilitate the measurement of the position of the flaps.

For this purpose, according to the invention, a measuring instrument is provided which comprises:

a support having a bearing face defining a plane,

a pin mounted sliding on the support so that a free end of the pin is able to intercept the plane remote from the bearing face with the bearing face extending on one side of the pin, and

a member able to measure a distance between the free end and the plane, whether the pin extends inside or beyond the plane,

the instrument comprising no element capable of extending opposite the bearing face.

Thus, the instrument is of the monoblock type, the support bearing alone, directly or indirectly, all the elements of the instrument. The use of the instrument is therefore easier than that of the combination of instruments mentioned above. So much so that only one operator can place the instrument under the wing, position it properly and raise the measured side of the flap. In addition, this monobloc-type instrument improves the reliability and accuracy of the measurement.

Advantageously, the instrument comprises a relief projecting from the bearing face. This relief facilitates the positioning of the instrument.

Advantageously, the measuring member is rotatably mounted on the support about an axis perpendicular to the plane.

Thus, regardless of the position of the operator relative to the instrument, particularly to the left or right of the latter, it is possible to orient the measuring device to read the value measured in the best possible conditions.

Preferably, the instrument comprises a leg rotatably mounted on the support, carrying the measuring member and having an opening through which the measuring member is connected to the rod.

This is an embodiment making the measuring member rotatable.

Advantageously, the measuring member comprises a ruler and a slide slidably mounted on the ruler, one of the ruler and the slider, preferably the latter, being connected to the pin to slide with the latter relative to the support.

Preferably, the support has a second face parallel to the bearing face, oriented in the same direction as the latter and in withdrawal from the latter, the pin being adapted to extend projecting from the second face.

Advantageously, the instrument further comprises a handle attached to the support, in particular on one side of the support opposite to the support face.

Thus, the handle facilitates the wearing of the instrument and its support against the wing for the measurement, especially for the execution thereof by a single operator.

The invention also provides an assembly workshop for an airplane, which comprises at least one instrument which comprises:

a support having a bearing face defining a plane,

- An organ capable of measuring a distance between the free end and the plane, the freelancer extends below or beyond the plane.

The invention also provides a method for measuring a position of a flap of an aircraft, in which an operator:

placing a support surface of an instrument in support against a wall of an airplane,

- Sliding relative to the bearing face a rod mounted on the instrument to put a free end of the pin in contact with a separate flap of the wall, the rod extending away from the face of support, the latter extending from one side of the freestyle, and determines a distance between the free end and a plane defined by the bearing face, that the pin extends below or beyond the plane.

It can be provided that the wall is a lower wall of a wing.

Advantageously, the method is executed by a single operator.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of an embodiment given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views respectively in the assembled state and the exploded state of an instrument according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 3 is an axial sectional view along the plane III-III of the instrument of Figure 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the casing of the leg of the instrument of FIG. 1;

- Figures 5 and 6 are two perspective views respectively in the assembled state and in the exploded state of the leg of the instrument of Figure 1;

- Figure 7 is a view showing the positioning of the instrument of Figure 1 against a wing of an aircraft during the implementation of the method of the invention; and

- Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view detailing the position of the instrument relative to the wing.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show an embodiment of an instrument serving for example for measuring a position of a flap of an aircraft in the context of the implementation of the method.

The instrument 2 comprises a rigid support 4 comprising a body 6 here in the general shape of an elongated rectangular parallelepiped so that the length of the body is equal to several times its width or several times its height. The body is here in one piece. The support 4 has a flat upper bearing surface 8 forming a sole. This face, as well as the body 6, is started to delimit in the support a shoulder 10 also embossing the lateral faces of the support and the end face opposite the face 8. This shoulder occupies about a longitudinal half of the support, the face 8 extending moreover about the other longitudinal half. The instrument 2 is devoid of any element able to extend facing the face 8 or projecting from the latter.

The support comprises a handle 12 having in this case a generally symmetrical shape of revolution about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the face 8. This handle here has a general shape of mushroom by having a gripping portion 14 connected to the body 6 by a connecting part 16 having a diameter smaller than that of the gripping part. The connecting portion is fixed directly to a lower face 18 of the body 6 parallel to the bearing face 8 and opposite to the latter on the other side of the body. The handle protrudes from the face 18.

In this case, the body 4 has a rectilinear relief 77 projecting from the face 8 and elongate in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support. In the present example, this relief is defined by an edge of a plate 79 fixed rigidly to a face of the shoulder perpendicular to the face 8, here by means of two screws. This arrangement makes it possible to define the relief by means of a material, that of the wafer 79, which can be chosen particularly hard and resistant in comparison with that of the body 6.

The instrument 2 comprises a leg 20 having a generally symmetrical shape of revolution about a vertical longitudinal axis 22 of the leg. The leg protrudes from the face 18 of the body 6, the axis 22 being perpendicular to the plane defined by the bearing face 8. The leg 20 therefore extends from one side of the support opposite to the face 8 The leg 20 is fixed to the support 4 by being rotatable relative thereto about the axis 22. The leg is separate and remote from the handle 12.

The leg 20 comprises a housing 24 having a generally cylindrical shape with the exception of two annular reliefs respectively 26 and 28 projecting from the cylindrical portion of the housing with reference to the radial direction to the axis 22. The lower relief 26 forms the lower free end of the housing and the leg. The upper relief 28 forms the part of the leg contiguous to the face 18 of the support 4.

The housing 24 has a cylindrical upper end 30 received in a cylindrical bore 32 formed in the end portion of the body 6 remote from the bearing face 8. The upper end of the bore has a shoulder for the reception of an O-ring seal 34 made in this case of EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer), and a recess for receiving a washer 36 coming opposite the upper face of the seal. The seal and the washer are threaded onto the housing 24. Finally, an annular groove is formed in the end 30 and receives a circlip 38 against which abuts the washer 36 axially, the translation of the leg 20 along the axis 22 relative to the body 4 being thus prevented, its rotation relative to the body 4 about the axis 22 is nevertheless permitted.

The instrument 2 comprises a rod 40 having an elongated rectilinear shape with symmetry of revolution and disposed coaxially in a housing of the 24. The pin 40 is movably mounted to slide relative to the support 4 in the direction of the axis 22. When using the instrument, the axis 22 is in a vertical orientation or close to the vertical. The pin 40 is thus recalled down by gravity. Provision is furthermore provided a spring 42 reminding the rod down and bearing against this end down against a shoulder of the rod and up against a shoulder of the housing of the housing receiving the rod. The leg 20 comprises a lower screw 48 screwed into an orifice of the housing 24 and against which the lower end of the pin abuts against the restoring force of the spring to prevent the release of the rod from the housing.

The rod is slidably mounted relative to the support 4 so that the upper free end 43 of the rod may extend projecting from the upper face 44 of the shoulder 10, or projecting from the plane defined by the face of the rod. 8. In doing so, the pin 40 remains entirely at a distance from the bearing face 8 and the latter extends in all circumstances on one side of the peg and vice versa. Consequently, the end 43 of the peg is particularly capable of intercepting the geometric plane defined by the bearing face 8. Consequently, the peg 40 can occupy a position in which its upper free end 43 extends above or beyond this plane, or below or below this plane.

The leg 20 further comprises a straight elongated flat ruler 50, parallel to the axis 22 but remote from the latter and extending outside the housing 24. The rule, in this case, is rigidly fixed by its two longitudinal ends to the reliefs 26 and 28 of the housing, in this example by screws 52. The leg 20 comprises a slide 53 mounted to slide on the ruler 50 in the direction of the axis 22. For this purpose, the slide presents a pipe through which the rule 50 passes. The ruler and the slide form a measurement and display or display device 54, for example of the type of measuring and display devices which can be found on calipers or depth gauges. It is able to locate the position of the slider along the ruler 50 and to display a distance therefrom on a screen 56 of the slider. The display is, in this case, digital type. It is calibrated so that the indicated distance is that, algebraic, separating the free end 43 of the peg and the plane of the bearing face 8. In a variant, it may be the distance separating the end 43 and the surface 44 projecting from which it extends.

In the present example, the slider 53 is rigidly fixed to the pin 40 and thus slides with the latter when it moves relative to the housing. AT To this end, the housing has an opening or window 58 passing through the wall of the housing 24 in a direction radial to the axis 22 over most of the length of the housing between the two reliefs 26 and 28. A flange 60 is fixed rigidly. on the one hand to the slide 53 and on the other hand to the pin 40. The connection of the flange to the slide is effected by two screws 62 and that of the flange to the pin by means of two screws 64 extending through the window. Each screw 64 passes through a respective orifice of the flange and enters a hole of the peg.

In this case, the leg 20 is provided with a perforated cover 66 fixed rigidly by its upper and lower ends to the ruler 50 and to the reliefs 26 and 28. The cover has a window 68 making it possible to read values displayed on the screen 56 regardless of the position of the slider 53 relative to the housing. The slide 53 is sandwiched and interposed in the radial direction between the cover 66 on the one hand and the housing 24 on the other hand. The slide and the flange here comprise two respective lateral reliefs 55 accessible to maneuver the slide and thus with him the rod from outside the hood.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate steps for implementing the method of the invention using the instrument which has just been described.

It is assumed that one is in an assembly workshop of an aircraft 74, to an assembly station and / or control on the production line. The aircraft comprises a fuselage not shown and two wings 76 each comprising in particular an outer bottom wall 78 and at least one flap 72 mounted to move relative to the wall 78 and intended to occupy at rest a nominal position relative thereto. This is to verify by a measure that this position is correct. FIG. 8 shows the orthogonal coordinate system X, Y, Z in which the horizontal directions X and Y are respectively parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fuselage of the aircraft, while the direction Z is vertical.

In this case, the method is implemented by a single operator 70. In a first step, the operator places the instrument 2 so as to put the bearing surface 8 forming the sole in surface contact with the outer face of the lower wall 78. The face 44 extends opposite and at a distance from the outer face 73 of the flap 72, as well as from a joint piece 80. The relief 77 is positioned in abutment against the edge of the wall 78 directed to the shutter to ensure proper positioning of the instrument in the direction from the flap to the wall. Maintaining the instrument in this position can be performed by means of one hand by the operator, for example his right hand in Figure 7, with the handle 12. With the other hand, the operator slides the slide 53 which is accessible from outside the leg 20 to place the end 43 of the pin in contact with the outer face 73 of the flap. When this contact is reached, the operator reads the distance measurement indicated by the screen 56 of the display. The distance is that separating the local plane from the lower face of the flap and that of the wall 78. It is measured along the axis 22, in a direction close to that of the Z axis. This distance can be positive or negative according to that the lower face of the flap is beyond or below the local plane of the outer face of the wall 78.

If this distance equals the expected distance or falls within the expected tolerancing range, the position of the flap in this respect is correct. Otherwise, the operator modifies the position of the flap by means of a suitable adjustment or requests such a modification.

The instrument according to the invention forms a gauge which makes it possible to check the position of the flaps in a manner that is at once simple, fast, reliable, precise and ergonomic. The instrument is compact and easy to use.

It may be considered to rectify the position of the flap while the instrument is still in place under the wing.

It is observed that the leg can rotate in this case 360 ° about its axis. This pivoting makes it easier to read the value indicated by the display screen regardless of the relative position of the instrument and the operator. However, it is possible to provide a reduced amplitude of rotation, for example limited to 180 °.

The invention is particularly suitable for cargo transport aircraft and / or passengers, short, medium or long haul type. The aforementioned flaps have the function of modifying the lift of the aircraft during some phases of its use, including flight phases, in particular to lower or climb the aircraft. The flap is movably mounted relative to the wing structure by a connection which forms for example the compound of a translation and a rotation.

This is for example to verify that the position of the flap is indeed a flush position, namely a position in which the respective outer lower faces of the flap and the wall of the wing contiguous to the latter extend locally in a same plane perpendicular to the vertical direction or the same plane slightly inclined relative to the perpendicular plane. This is the nominal position of the flap that it occupies when the aircraft is at rest or during certain phases of flight. In this position, the flap is considered not to be in or out so that the positions of the so-called "return" flap and "Output" are different from this nominal position.

Of course, we can bring to the invention many changes without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. Measuring instrument (2), characterized in that it comprises:

a support (4) having a bearing surface (8) defining a plane,

- a rod (40) slidably mounted on the support so that a free end (43) of the rod is adapted to intercept the plane away from the bearing face with the bearing face extending from a only side of the freelance, and

a member (54) capable of measuring a distance between the free end and the plane, that the pin extends inside or outside the plane,

2. Instrument according to the preceding claim which comprises a relief (77) projecting from the bearing face.

3. Instrument according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein the measuring member (54) is rotatably mounted on the support about an axis (22) perpendicular to the plane.

4. Instrument according to at least one of the preceding claims, which comprises a leg (20) rotatably mounted on the support, carrying the measuring member and having an opening (58) through which the measuring member is connected. freelance.

An instrument according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein the measuring member (54) comprises a ruler (50) and a slider (53) slidably mounted on the ruler, one of the ruler and the slider , preferably the latter, being connected to the rod to slide with the latter relative to the support (4).

6. Instrument according to at least one of the preceding claims wherein the support has a second face (44) parallel to the bearing face, oriented in the same direction as the latter and recessed from the latter, the pin being able to extend projecting from the second face.

7. Instrument according to at least one of the preceding claims which further comprises a handle (12) fixed to the support, in particular on one side of the support opposite to the bearing face (8).

8. Assembly workshop of an aircraft (74), characterized in that it comprises at least one instrument (2) which comprises:

a support (4) having a bearing surface (8) defining a plane,

- A rod (40) slidably mounted on the support so that a free end (43) of the rod is adapted to intercept the plane away from the bearing face with the bearing face extending from one side of the peg, and

- A member (54) capable of measuring a distance between the free end and the plane, the freelancer extends below or beyond the plane.

9. A method of measuring a position of a flap (72) of an aircraft (74), characterized in that an operator:

placing a bearing face (8) of an instrument (2) bearing against a wall (78) of an airplane,

- slides relative to the bearing surface a pin (40) mounted on the instrument to put a free end of the pin in contact with a flap (72) separate from the wall, the pin extending to distance from the bearing face with the bearing face extending on one side of the peg, and

- determines a distance between the free end (43) and a plane defined by the bearing face (8), the freelancer extends below or beyond the plane.

10. Method according to the preceding claim wherein the wall (78) is a bottom wall of a wing (76).

1 1. Method according to at least one of claims 9 or 10, executed by a single operator (70).