GB792626A - Improvements in means for operating switch mechanism on the deformation or severanceof an elongate structural member - Google Patents

Abstract

792,626. Aircraft emergency apparatus. SPECIALTIES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. June 14, 1955 [July 20, 1954], No. 17053/55. Class 4. [Also in Group XXXVII] Apparatus for generating an electric signal to operate, e.g., fire extinguishing mechanism in the event of excessive movement or breakage of an aircraft wing resulting from a crash, comprises a housing 10 secured to the structure of a wing adjacent its root end and formed with bearings 15, 16 for a rod 17. One end of the rod has a rupturable connection 32 with one end of a cable 20 housed within a casing 41 and secured at its other end by an axially adjustable connection 49 to a housing 42 secured to the tip structure of the wing. The end of rod 17 remote from connection 32 carries a collar 35 engaged by a spring 19 whereby cable 20 is maintained in tension and the rod has a length 25 of reduced diameter and opposed cam faces 26, 27 which are sufficiently spaced to ensure that normal movements of the wing do not bring the faces into contact with a roller 24. This roller is mounted on a spring arm 22 secured to a switch 11 and excessive movement of the rod 17 imposed by pull on or release of cable 20 in the event of wing failure causes one of the faces 26, 27 to bear on the roller 24 thereby pressing arm 22 into contact with a switch-operating plunger 21. The-position of cam faces 26, 27 with respect to roller 24 may be adjusted by device 49. In a further embodiment such adjustment is provided by making the rod 17 in two threadedly connected parts and locating the spring 19 within the housing 10.