FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a latch, and specifically to a rotary latch mechanism for use on aircraft. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a rotary latch mechanism for releasably securing a first structure relative to a second structure on an aircraft.

BACKGROUND

A variety of latches are used on aircraft to retain various components of the aircraft in a locked condition under circumstances such as flight and storage of the aircraft. During maintenance or repair periods the latches must operate to unlock the corresponding panel, cowling, or other device. For example, the latch on a cowling can be disengaged to allow the cowling to be opened away from the engine components which it houses. The cowling, once opened, allows the aircraft maintenance professional to access the engine components. At the end of the repair event the cowling is closed. The latch is used to lock the cowling in the closed condition around the engine components in the housing.

As an additional matter, the maintenance professional may use a device to “clip” the latches closed to keep them from projecting out from the aircraft body or housing. The latches are clipped in a closed or lower profile position to prevent the latches from becoming bumped or from bumping the maintenance professional. Clipping the latches does not necessarily close or lock the latch but allows the latch to be maintained in a much lower profile against the aircraft housing or body. However, clipped latches can inadvertently appear to be locked and as such may fail to be locked. Additionally, even if the latches are operated to attempt to lock them a potential issue with the rotary latch mechanism might interfere with complete locking and as such could inadvertently unlatch during operation. It would be desirable to develop a system and assembly to be used with a latch to help provide assurances that the latch will, in fact, be closed and locked in the proper position.

This background information is merely for context and no admission is intended, nor should such admission be inferred or construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a rotary latch mechanism is provided for releasably securing a first structure relative to a second structure. The rotary latch mechanism includes a housing adapted to be attached to the first structure, an actuator assembly coupled to the housing, a linkage coupled to the actuator assembly and arranged for movement along the housing with movement of the actuator assembly, and a bolt coupled to the housing and to the linkage, the bolt arranged for pivotal movement relative to the housing with movement of the linkage. The bolt is adapted to move between a latched position engaged with the second structure to secure the first structure relative to the second structure and an unlatched position spaced apart from the second structure to allow movement of the first structure relative to the second structure.

In illustrative embodiments, a first sensor is coupled to the housing and arranged for operation by the handle, and the first sensor is configured to provide a signal indicating whether the handle is in the locked or unlocked position. A second sensor is coupled to the housing and arranged for operation by the linkage, and the second sensor is configured to provide a signal indicating whether the bolt is in the latched or unlatched position.

In illustrative embodiments, a recess extends into the housing and is adapted to receive at least a portion of the handle with the handle in the locked position. The handle engages with the housing in the locked position to block pivoting movement of the handle and the column about the first pivot axis.

In illustrative embodiments, a trigger is coupled to the housing in the recess, and the trigger engages with the handle in the locked position to block pivoting movement of the handle about the second pivot axis at the selection of a user.

In illustrative embodiments, a clip is positioned in the recess for engagement by the handle in the locked position, and the clip engages with the first sensor in response to the handle moving to the locked position to operate the first sensor for providing a signal indicating that the handle is in the locked position.

In illustrative embodiments, a cavity is formed into the housing and a hole is arranged in the recess extending into the cavity. The clip engages with the first sensor through the hole.

In illustrative embodiments, a plate is coupled to the housing with the driver positioned between the plate and the housing. The second sensor is coupled to the plate, and an arm extends toward the linkage for engagement by the linkage in response to the bolt moving to the latched position such that the arm engages with the second sensor to operate the second sensor for providing a signal indicating that the bolt is in the latched position.

In illustrative embodiments, the column of the actuator assembly includes a post and a driver coupled to the post for pivoting movement with the post relative to the housing. The handle is coupled to the post for pivoting movement of the post with the handle, and the driver is configured to engage with the linkage with pivoting movement of the post for movement of the linkage relative to the housing.

In illustrative embodiments, a biasing mechanism is coupled to the housing and to the post. The biasing mechanism is configured to engage with the post to bias the bolt toward the latched position with the bolt in the latched position and to bias the bolt toward the unlatched position with the bolt in the unlatched position.

In illustrative embodiments, the biasing mechanism includes a hub coupled to the post, a shaft coupled to the housing, a guide coupled to the hub and extending toward the shaft, and a biasing member mounted on the guide. The biasing member engages with the guide and the shaft to bias the guide away from the shaft.

In illustrative embodiments, the hub is positioned on an opposite side of the plate from the driver.

In illustrative embodiments, a block extends from the plate away from the housing and is arranged for engagement with the hub to limit pivoting movement of the post about the first pivot axis.

In illustrative embodiments, a set screw extends from the block and is arranged for engagement with the hub to adjustably limit pivoting movement of the post about the first pivot axis.

In illustrative embodiments, the housing is formed to define a groove, and a projection extends from the linkage toward the housing and into the groove. The projection is arranged to move along the groove with movement of the linkage and engage with the housing to limit movement of the linkage relative to the housing.

In illustrative embodiments, the first sensor is coupled to the housing with a connector. The connector includes a fastener and an adjuster. The fastener extends through the adjuster, and the adjuster is configured to engage with the housing and move the fastener and the first sensor relative to the housing with rotation of the adjuster.

In illustrative embodiments, the adjuster includes a body, a projection extending from the body, and a receiver extending through the projection. The fastener extends through the receiver, and the receiver is offset from a central axis of rotation of the projection for movement of the fastener relative to the housing with rotation of the adjuster.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a rotary latch mechanism is provided having a housing, an actuator assembly coupled to the housing, a linkage coupled to the actuator assembly, and a bolt coupled to the housing and to the linkage. The actuator assembly includes a column arranged for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis relative to the housing and a handle coupled to the column and arranged pivotal movement about a second pivot axis relative to the column. The handle is movable between a locked position secured against pivoting movement relative to the housing and an unlocked position for pivoting movement relative to the housing about the first pivot axis with the column. The linkage is arranged for movement along the housing with pivoting movement of the column about the first pivot axis. The bolt is arranged for pivotal movement about a third pivot axis relative to the housing with movement of the linkage between a latched position and an unlatched position. The housing is formed to define a groove and a projection extends from the linkage toward the housing and into the groove. The projection is arranged to move along the groove with movement of the linkage and engage with the housing to limit movement of the linkage relative to the housing.

In illustrative embodiments, a plate is coupled to the housing. The driver is positioned between the plate and the housing. The second sensor is coupled to the plate and an arm extends toward the linkage for engagement by the linkage in response to the bolt moving to the latched position such that the arm engages with the second sensor to operate the second sensor for providing a signal indicating that the bolt is in the latched position.

In illustrative embodiments, a biasing mechanism is coupled to the housing and to the column. The biasing mechanism is configured to engage with the column to bias the bolt toward the latched position with the bolt in the latched position and to bias the bolt toward the unlatched position with the bolt in the unlatched position.

In illustrative embodiments, the biasing mechanism includes a hub coupled to the column, a shaft coupled to the housing, a guide coupled to the hub and extending toward the shaft, and a biasing member mounted on the guide. The biasing member engages with the guide and the shaft to bias the guide away from the shaft.

In illustrative embodiments, the linkage includes a cage and a link coupled between the cage and the bolt. The projection extends from the cage into the groove, and the projection is configured to engage with the housing to block rotation of the cage relative to the housing.

