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EP-4739575-A1 - ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED PARKING BRAKE DEVICE, AND AIRCRAFT WHEEL AND AIRCRAFT PROVIDED WITH SUCH A DEVICE

EP4739575A1EP 4739575 A1EP4739575 A1EP 4739575A1EP-4739575-A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for preventing the rotation of a wheel (1) rotatably mounted on an axle (2) so as to rotate about an axis of rotation (X), the device comprising a receiving member (4) that is rigidly attached to the wheel and provided with an internal face that has regularly distributed axial cavities (4e); a rotationally stationary cage (6) that extends around the axle facing the receiving member, the cage comprising axial recesses (6a) that accommodate segments (7) that are movable in the cage in respective radial directions between an engagement position in which the segments are engaged in the receptacles in the receiving member and a release position in which the segments are disengaged from the receptacles in the receiving member; a push member (5) made of a material capable of channelling a magnetic flux, the push member extending around the axle in order to co-operate with the segments via oblique bearing surfaces and mounted so as to move axially between a locking position in which the push member forces the segments into the engagement position and an unlocking position in which the push member forces the segments into the release position; a return member (12) for returning the push member to its locking position and maintaining it therein; a permanent magnet (14) exerting an electromagnetic force on the push member designed to maintain the push member in the unlocking position against the force of the return member; an electromagnet (15) that can be selectively powered so as to counteract the force of the permanent magnet in order to allow the push member to move from the unlocking position to the locking position under the effect of the return member or to enhance the force of the permanent magnet in order to move the push member from the locking position to the unlocking position against the force of the return member. The invention also relates to a wheel and an aircraft provided with such a device.

Inventors

  • ROBILLARD, Emilie
  • POPO, Denilson Chumbo
  • SANTER, Lucas Fernand Jean-Marie
  • KLIM, Graeme Peter Arthur
  • NGUYEN, Duy-Minh

Assignees

  • Safran Landing Systems

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240702

Claims (10)

  1. 1. Device for locking the rotation of a wheel (1) mounted to rotate on an axle (2) around an axis of rotation (X), the device comprising: - a receiver (4) secured to the wheel and comprising an internal face having regularly distributed axial cavities (4e) facing the axle; - a cage (6) extending around the axle opposite the receiver and held stationary in rotation, the cage comprising axial housings (6a) receiving segments (7) movable in the cage in respective radial directions between a locking position in which the segments are engaged in the receptacles of the receiver, and a release position in which the segments are disengaged from the receptacles of the receiver; - a push member (5) made of a material capable of channeling a magnetic flux, which extends around the axle to cooperate with the segments by oblique bearing surfaces and which is mounted axially movable between a locking position in which the push member forces the segments into the blocking position and an unlocking position in which the push member forces the segments into the release position; - a return member (12) for returning the push member to its locking position and holding it there; - a permanent magnet (14) inducing on the push member an electromagnetic force adapted to maintain the push member in the unlocked position against the return member; - an electromagnet (15) selectively energized to counteract the force of the permanent magnet to leave the push member to move from the unlocking position to the locking position under the effect of the return member, or to increase the force of the permanent magnet to move the push member from the locking position to the unlocking position against the return member.
  2. 2. A locking device according to claim 1, wherein the push member (5) comprises an outer portion (5b) having slots (5d) through which the segments (7) extend, the slots having oblique distal flanks (5e) forming oblique bearing surfaces cooperating with distal oblique surfaces (7a) of the segments to bring the latter from the locking position to the release position.
  3. 3. A locking device according to claim 1, in which the push member (5) comprises a skirt (5c) having a truncated cone-shaped surface forming oblique bearing surfaces cooperating with proximal oblique surfaces (7b) of the segments (7) to bring the latter from the release position to the locking position.
  4. 4. A locking device according to claim 1, further comprising a torque tube (9) threaded onto the axle (2) and stopped in rotation relative to the axle, the torque tube having a tubular portion (9a) having a grooved external surface cooperating with homologous internal surfaces of the push member (5) and the cage (6).
  5. 5. Device according to claim 4, in which the torsion tube comprises a plate (9b) against which the return member (12) bears.
  6. 6. Device according to claim 1, in which the permanent magnet (14) and the electromagnet (15) are part of an electromagnetic actuator (13) extending around the push member (5).
  7. 7. Locking device according to claim 6, in which the electromagnetic actuator (13) comprises a cover (13a) and a lid (13b) capable of channeling a magnetic flux, the lid extending opposite a proximal face (5f) of the push member (5) coming into abutment against the lid in the unlocked position.
  8. 8. Locking device according to claim 1, in which the segments (7) comprise a locking portion (7e) penetrating into the receptacles (4e) of the receiver (4), each locking portion comprising oblique flanks (7f) cooperating with homologous flanks (4f) of the receptacles (4e), so that the segments are pushed from the locking position to the release position if the wheel (1) undergoes a torque greater than a determined threshold.
  9. 9. Aircraft wheel (1) equipped with a device according to any one of the preceding claims.
  10. 10. Aircraft comprising at least one wheel (1) according to claim 9.

Description

ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED PARK BRAKING DEVICE, AIRCRAFT WHEEL AND AIRCRAFT EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A DEVICE The present invention relates to the field of parking braking or immobilization of aircraft on the ground. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Climate change is a major concern for many legislative and regulatory bodies around the world. Indeed, various restrictions on carbon emissions have been, are being or will be adopted by various states. In particular, an ambitious standard applies both to new types of aircraft but also to those currently in circulation requiring the implementation of technological solutions in order to make them compliant with the regulations in force. Civil aviation has been mobilizing for several years now to make a contribution to the fight against climate change. Technological research efforts have already made it possible to significantly improve the environmental performance of aircraft. All players in the sector are constantly working to improve energy efficiency. The Applicant takes into consideration the impact factors in all phases of design and development to obtain less energy-intensive, more environmentally friendly aeronautical components and products whose integration and use in civil aviation have moderate environmental impacts with the aim of improving the energy efficiency of air transport. Consequently, the Applicant is constantly working to reduce its climate impact by using methods and operating virtuous development and manufacturing processes that minimize emissions. greenhouse gases to reduce the environmental footprint of its activity. This sustained research and development work focuses both on making devices lighter, particularly through the materials used and lighter on-board equipment, and on developing the use of electrical technologies. In general, aircraft are immobilized on the ground by permanently supplying power to the aircraft brakes so that they prevent the braked wheels from rotating. In the case of aircraft equipped with hydraulic brakes, the brakes are connected to an accumulator providing the pressure necessary to actuate the brakes. The aircraft is thus immobilized as long as the accumulator is kept in hydraulic connection with the brakes. In the case of aircraft equipped with electric brakes, it has been proposed, for example in document FR2880602, to maintain the brake actuators in the braking position by means of a bistable locking member blocking the brake actuators in the braking position without it being necessary to supply power to the brake actuators. However, these locking modes place constant stress on the brakes and brake friction components, which can lead to accelerated fatigue. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION The invention aims to propose a means of locking an aircraft wheel without using the aircraft brakes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For this purpose, the invention provides a device for locking the rotation of a wheel mounted to rotate on an axle around an axis of rotation, the device comprising: a receiver secured to the wheel and comprising an internal face having regularly distributed axial cavities facing the axle; - a cage extending around the axle opposite the receiver and held stationary in rotation, the cage comprising axial housings receiving segments movable in the cage in respective radial directions between a locking position in which the segments are engaged in the receptacles of the receiver, and a release position in which the segments are disengaged from the receptacles of the receiver; - a push member made of a material capable of channeling a magnetic flux and extending around the axle to cooperate with the segments by oblique bearing surfaces, and mounted axially movable between a locking position in which the push member forces the segments into the blocking position and an unlocking position in which the push member forces the segments into the release position; - a return member for returning the push member to its locking position and holding it there; - a permanent magnet inducing on the push member an electromagnetic force adapted to maintain the push member in the unlocked position against the return member; - a selectively energized electromagnet to counteract the force of the permanent magnet to allow the push member to move from the unlocking position to the locking position under the effect of the return member, or to increase the force of the permanent magnet to move the push member from the locking position to the unlocking position against the return member. The device of the invention therefore allows the wheel to be locked without using the brake. It can therefore be fitted to unbraked wheels. Of course, if when locking the segments are not opposite the receptacles, it will be sufficient to cause a slight rotation of the wheel to bring them there and thus allow the wheel to be locked. The power supply to the electromagnet can be interrupted as soon as the push member has reached one or other of its p