RESETTABLE ELECTRO-MECHANICALLY ACTUATED CONNECTION UNIT FOR GENERATORS

摘要

An electrical generating system for an aircraft may include a first shaft connected with an engine gearbox, a second shaft connected with a generator of the aircraft, and a connection unit in which the first and second shafts are selectively engageable with one another. The connection unit may include a solenoid coil, an armature co-axial with the first and the second shafts, a plurality of balls positioned around the armature. The armature may include a first cylindrical segment and a second cylindrical segment. The armature may be selectively movable between a first axial position and a second axial position. When the armature is in a first axial position, the balls are positioned to transmit torque forces between the first shaft and the second shaft. When the armature is in a second axial position, the first shaft and the second shaft are free to rotate independently.

主权项

1. An electrical generating system for an aircraft comprising:
a first shaft drivably connected with an engine gearbox of the aircraft; a second shaft co-axial with the first shaft and drivably connected with a generator of the aircraft; and a connection unit in which the first and second shafts are selectively engageable with one another, the connection unit comprising,
a solenoid coil,an armature co-axial with the first and the second shafts,a plurality of balls positioned circumferentially around the armature in contact with the armature,wherein the armature includes a first cylindrical segment and a second cylindrical segment,wherein the armature is selectively movable between a first axial position and a second axial position responsively to actuation of the solenoid coil,wherein the first axial position of the armature positions the armature so that the balls are in contact with the first cylindrical segment,wherein the second axial position of the armature positions the armature so that the balls are in contact with the second cylindrical segment,wherein the balls engage with both the first and second shaft when the armature is in the first axial position so that the balls are positioned to transmit torque loading between the first shaft and the second shaft,wherein the balls engage with only one of the first or second shaft when the armature is in the second axial position so that the first shaft and the second shaft are free to rotate independently of one another.