US 12,221,225 B2
Sensor lift mechanism for aircraft
Paul C. Collado, Wichita, KS (US); Jonathan J. Kalinowski, Wichita, KS (US); Patrick Klausmeyer, Wichita, KS (US); and Lance A. Kawabata, Wichita, KS (US)
Assigned to Textron Innovations Inc., Providence, RI (US)
Filed by Textron Aviation Inc., Wichita, KS (US)
Filed on Oct. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/046,797.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/257,344, filed on Oct. 19, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0122783 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. B64D 47/00 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 47/00 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sensor lift mechanism for use in an aircraft, comprising:
a frame, comprising:
a first roller track disposed on a first vertical beam; and
a second roller track disposed on a second vertical beam,
wherein the first vertical beam and the second vertical beam are substantially in parallel;
a roller carriage assembly disposed within the frame, comprising:
a first pair of track rollers configured to roll up a side wall of the first roller track;
a second pair of track rollers configured to roll up a side wall of the second roller track;
a first pair of drag rollers configured to roll up a back wall of the first roller track; and
a second pair of drag rollers configured to roll up a back wall of the second roller track; and
a drive unit mounted to an upper beam of the frame,
wherein the drive unit powers a ball screw and translates the roller carriage assembly vertically between the first vertical beam and the second vertical beam to move a sensor between a stowed position and a deployed position.