Abstract: A power drive unit (PDU) having a magnetic hold brake for use in an aircraft is disclosed herein. The PDU includes a wheel configured to convey cargo through a portion of the aircraft, a motor coupled to the wheel, a brake disk, a solenoid configured to apply a first force to move the brake disk in a first direction to resist rotation of the motor, wherein the solenoid is further configured to apply a second force to move the brake disk in a second direction opposite the first direction to allow the motor to rotate, and a magnet configured to apply a third force to the brake disk, the third force being in the first direction to apply a drag force to the motor.

Abstract: A safety knife may include a housing defining an internal cavity, a blade coupled to the housing, and a sheath slideably engaged with the housing. The sheath may translate into the internal cavity of the housing to expose the blade. A switch may be pivotally coupled to the housing and may release the sheath from a locked position in response to depression of the switch. A locking arm may be pivotally coupled to the sheath with a projection that locks the sheath in an extended position by engaging an internal wall of the housing. A pawl may be pivotally coupled to the switch to depress the locking arm. The sheath includes a ridge that engages the pawl and rotates the pawl from a fully extended position.

Abstract: A safety knife may include a housing defining an internal cavity, a blade coupled to the housing, and a sheath slideably engaged with the housing. The sheath may translate into the internal cavity of the housing to expose the blade. A switch may be pivotally coupled to the housing and may release the sheath from a locked position in response to depression of the switch. A locking arm may be pivotally coupled to the sheath with a notch that locks the sheath in an extended position by engaging an internal wall of the housing. A pawl may be pivotally coupled to the switch to depress the locking arm. The sheath includes a ridge that engages the pawl and rotates the pawl from a fully extended position.

Abstract: An aircraft cargo handling system has a pair of load restraining rail assemblies, each of which has a shaft assembly running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The shaft assembly has a plurality of lock pawls, each of which comprises a body having a cylindrical pallet-engaging surface. The pallet engaging surfaces of the lock pawls have increasing included angles at stations moving toward the front of the aircraft (or vice versa). This enables the pallets to be locked in place sequentially by rotating the shall assembly a predetermined angular rotation each time a pallet is loaded. Unloading of the aircraft is carried out in the reverse order, by rotating the shaft assembly in the opposite direction in steps to unlock each pallet individually as the aircraft is unloaded.

Abstract: An aircraft cargo handling system has a pair of load restraining rail assemblies, each of which has a shaft assembly running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The shaft assembly has a plurality of lock pawls, each of which comprises a body having a cylindrical pallet-engaging surface. The pallet engaging surfaces of the lock pawls have increasing included angles at stations moving toward the front of the aircraft (or vice versa). This enables the pallets to be locked in place sequentially by rotating the shaft assembly a predetermined angular rotation each time a pallet is loaded. Unloading of the aircraft is carried out in the reverse order, by rotating the shaft assembly in the opposite direction in steps to unlock each pallet individually as the aircraft is unloaded.

Abstract: An aircraft cargo handling system has a pair of load restraining rail assemblies, each of which has a shaft assembly running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The shaft assembly has a plurality of lock pawls, each of which comprises a body having a cylindrical pallet-engaging surface. The pallet engaging surfaces of the lock pawls have increasing included angles at stations moving toward the front of the aircraft (or vice versa). This enables the pallets to be locked in place sequentially by rotating the shaft assembly an predetermined angular rotation each time a pallet is loaded. Unloading of the aircraft is carried out in the reverse order, by rotating the shaft assembly in the opposite direction in steps to unlock each pallet individually as the aircraft is unloaded.

Abstract: An aircraft cargo handling system has a pair of load restraining rail assemblies, each of which has a shaft assembly running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The shaft assembly has a plurality of lock pawls, each of which comprises a body having a cylindrical pallet-engaging surface. The pallet engaging surfaces of the lock pawls have increasing included angles at stations moving toward the front of the aircraft (or vice versa). This enables the pallets to be locked in place sequentially by rotating the shaft assembly an predetermined angular rotation each time a pallet is loaded. Unloading of the aircraft is carried out in the reverse order, by rotating the shaft assembly in the opposite direction in steps to unlock each pallet individually as the aircraft is unloaded.

Abstract: A self-adjusting loading guide and restraint for guiding and restraining aircraft unit load devices includes a base and an arm substantially upwardly extending from the base. The arm includes a vertical restraint portion and guide member having at least one substantially planar guide surface that is pivotally connected to the arm, and is movable between a first guide position and a second guide position. When the vertical restraint portion is engaged with a stowed first unit load device, the guide member assists in guiding a second unit load device away from the first unit load device and the loading guide and restraint and into a stowage location that is adjacent to the first unit load device.

Abstract: A ULD guide includes a base and an arm substantially upwardly extending from the base. A guide member having at least one substantially planar guide surface is pivotally connected to the arm, and is movable between a first guide position and a second guide position.

Abstract: A conveyor roller assembly comprising a supporting bracket through which the roller assembly can be fixed in use, a hollow, generally cylindrical roller shell supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis on the bracket, an electrical generator housed within the roller shell and driven thereby by rotation of the shell to produce an electrical output, a brake within the roller shell and operable to brake rotation of the shell relative to the bracket, a speed sensor within the shell for sensing the speed of rotation of the shell relative to the bracket, and, an actuator powered by the electrical output of the generator when the speed sensor detects that the speed of rotation of the shell relative to the bracket exceeds a predetermined value, to effect operation of the brake to brake rotation of the shell.

Abstract: A conveyor roller assembly comprising a supporting bracket through which the roller assembly can be fixed in use, a hollow, generally cylindrical roller shell supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis on said bracket, an electrical generator housed within said roller shell and driven thereby by rotation of the shell to produce an electrical output, a brake within said roller shell and operable to brake rotation of said shell relative to said bracket, a speed sensor within said shell for sensing the speed of rotation of said shell relative to said bracket, and, an actuator powered by the electrical output of said generator when said speed sensor detects that the speed of rotation of said shell relative to said bracket exceeds a predetermined value, to effect operation of said brake to brake rotation of the shell.

Abstract: An arming trigger unit having a retractable member for selectively retaining or releasing an arming wire of a store which retractable member is, after having been released, retained in its release position by a safety member. Further, such safety member engages a ring portion of the arming wire such that ejection of the ring portion is assisted when the arming wire is released. Such safety member is movable out of the position at which it retains the retractable member to permit a subsequent arming wire to be retained by the retractable member. A method of maintaining an actuating member for a store in a selected position to release an unarmed store by moving a safety member into a position whereat said actuating member is retained in such selected position. Further, the method of installing a store with respect to an aircraft by releasing a safety member to permit an actuating member to captively retain an arming wire.

Abstract: A variable length mechanical connection having a selectable fixed length obtainable by permitting at least one of three relatively axially movable body members to selectively rotate relative to the other body members under axially applied loads.