초록 ▼

A torque transmission system is provided for an aircraft drive wheel drive system mounted on nose or main landing gear wheels to move the aircraft autonomously on the ground that effectively transmits torque through drive system components. The drive system includes a drive means capable of generati

A torque transmission system is provided for an aircraft drive wheel drive system mounted on nose or main landing gear wheels to move the aircraft autonomously on the ground that effectively transmits torque through drive system components. The drive system includes a drive means capable of generating sufficient torque to move the aircraft, a drive system capable of generating a high torque capacity that activates the drive means, a clutch assembly that can be selectively engaged to control torque transmission to the drive system and activate the drive means, and a landing gear torque takeout element. The clutch assembly is configured to be inactivated and prevented from transmitting torque to other drive wheel drive system components when an overtorque event occurs. Aircraft drive wheel drive system components in the present torque transmission system are designed to withstand torque in excess of a determined maximum for the system.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A torque transmission system for an aircraft drive wheel drive system designed to efficiently move an aircraft autonomously during ground operations comprising: a. at least one wheel rotatably mounted on an aircraft landing gear controllable to generate sufficient torque to move an aircraft auton

1. A torque transmission system for an aircraft drive wheel drive system designed to efficiently move an aircraft autonomously during ground operations comprising: a. at least one wheel rotatably mounted on an aircraft landing gear controllable to generate sufficient torque to move an aircraft autonomously during ground travel without reliance on aircraft engines or external tow vehicles;b. at least one wheel drive system mounted completely within said wheel operably connected to said wheel to control rotation of said wheel and generate a torque required to drive said wheel and move said aircraft, wherein said wheel drive system comprises drive means in driving contact with said wheel for generating a determined maximum system operating torque to power rotation of said wheel at a desired speed and torque to move said aircraft; a drive system in actuating and torque transfer contact with said drive means; and a selectively engageable and disengageable clutch supported within said wheel at a location in selectively activating torque transmission contact with said drive system, andc. a torque takeout element mounted on a stationary aircraft landing gear component in torque transmission relationship with said wheel drive system to receive torque in excess of said determined maximum system operating torque. 2. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein said torque takeout element comprises a tow lug or tow hitch modified to receive said torque in excess of said determined maximum system operating torque. 3. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein said wheel is adapted to receive said clutch and to hold said clutch out of torque transmission relationship with said drive system. 4. The torque transmission system of claim 3, wherein said wheel comprises a clutch-receiving recess configured to receive and hold said clutch out of actuation and torque transfer contact with said drive system. 5. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a rotating element and a stationary element selectively connected between a supply of torque generating power and said wheel. 6. The torque transmission system of claim 5, wherein said drive means comprises an electric motor, said rotating element comprises a rotor, and said stationary element comprises a stator. 7. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein said drive system comprises a roller traction drive system. 8. The torque transmission system of claim 7, wherein said roller traction drive system comprises a first surface located to be in torque transmitting contact with said clutch and a second surface located to be in torque transmitting contact with said drive means, and said roller traction drive system further comprises a plurality of rollers disposed between inner and outer races and positioned to transfer torque between said first surface and said second surface. 9. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein said torque transmission system is sized and shaped to fit completely within a volume of an aircraft nose or main landing gear wheel. 10. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein said wheel drive system components are located to transmit torque through said system from an outboard side of said wheel to an inboard side of said wheel to said torque takeout element. 11. The torque transmission system of claim 10, wherein said torque takeout element comprises a torque takeout arm comprising a modified tow hitch. 12. The torque transmission system of claim 1, wherein said wheel, said drive means, said drive system, and said clutch are all designed to transmit a level of torque in excess of said determined maximum system operating torque. 13. The torque transmission system of claim 1, further comprising sensor means for monitoring levels of torque transmitted through said system and processor means for automatically preventing torque transmission when torque in excess of said determined maximum system operating torque is detected. 14. A method for torque transmission system through an aircraft drive wheel drive system designed to efficiently move an aircraft autonomously during ground operations comprising: a. providing at least one wheel rotatably mounted on an aircraft nose or main landing gear controllable to generate sufficient torque to move an aircraft autonomously during ground travel without reliance on aircraft engines or external tow vehicles;b. providing at least one wheel drive system comprising drive means, a drive system adapted to actuate said drive means, and a clutch adapted to selectively engage said drive system and mounting said wheel drive system completely within said wheel to transmit a determined maximum system operating torque to said wheel to control rotation of said wheel and generate a torque required to drive said wheel and move said aircraft;c. controlling said wheel drive system to selectively engage said clutch to activate and transmit torque to said drive system, wherein said activated drive system actuates and transfers torque to said drive means, and said actuated drive means transfers torque to said wheel and powers rotation of said wheel at a desired speed and torque to move said aircraft autonomously on a ground surface; andd. providing a torque takeout element mounted on a stationary aircraft landing gear component in torque transmission relationship with said wheel drive system on said landing gear, and transmitting torque in excess of said maximum system operating torque through said wheel drive system to said torque takeout element. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising selectively disengaging said clutch out of torque transmission with said drive system in the event of an overtorque event. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing a drive system comprising a roller traction drive system with a first surface located to be in torque transmitting contact with said clutch and a second surface located to be in torque transmitting contact with said drive means, and a plurality of torque transmitting rollers disposed between inner and outer races to transmit torque from said first surface and said second surface. 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting torque through said wheel drive system from an outboard side of said wheel to an inboard side of said wheel to transmit torque in excess of the determined maximum system operating torque to said torque takeout element. 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing clutch retaining structure in said wheel to hold said clutch out of torque transmission contact with said drive system and, in the event of the overtorque event, preventing torque transfer through said wheel drive system when said clutch is held in said clutch retaining structure. 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising monitoring levels of torque transmitted through said wheel drive system, and automatically preventing torque transmission through said wheel drive system when torque in excess of the determined maximum system operating torque is detected.