Patents by Inventor Christoph Winkelmann

Christoph Winkelmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20170334544
    Abstract: A system for locking a foldable wing tip on a wing end of an aircraft includes at least one engagement device, at least one locking device comprising a support, a latch element rotatably held in the support and a lock element movably held on the support, a latch drive device coupled with the latch element of the at least one locking device for selectively rotating the latch element at least to an open position, a closed position and a test position, a lock drive device coupled with the lock element of the at least one locking device for selectively varying a distance of the lock element to the latch element between a neutral position and a locking position, wherein the support includes a receiving space extending into an insertion opening designed for receiving the engagement device. The latch element includes a circumferential surface section that selectively covers the insertion opening in an open position and uncovers the insertion opening in a closed position of the latch element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Christoph WINKELMANN, Johannes RUPP
  • Publication number: 20170137112
    Abstract: A foldable wing for an aircraft includes a base wing having a base wing end region, a wing tip having a connection region, a first engagement means integrated into the base wing, a second engagement means integrated into the wing tip, and a drive mechanism coupled with the wing tip for moving the wing tip relative to the base wing. The first and second engagement means are adapted for engaging each other along a sliding course from a first position, in which the connection region of the wing tip and the base wing end region are in a flush contact to form a continuous wing, up to a second position, in which the first engagement means and the second engagement means disengage. The drive mechanism includes a first movement element and a second movement element at least partially extending in a spanwise direction, and supported in a linear guide each.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Winkelmann, Wilfried Ellmers, Jan Haserodt, Rico Weber, Ivan Petrov Ivanov
  • Patent number: 9580189
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an actuation system for a flight control surface of an aircraft, having: a support frame for supporting a flight control surface, the support frame being configured to be mounted to an airframe structure of the aircraft for movement between a first position and a second position to operate and move the control surface; an actuation mechanism configured to effect movement of the support frame between the second position and the first position; and a detection device for detecting a fault in the actuation mechanism, the detection device comprising a deflector configured to deflect or skew the support frame away from or out of the first position in the event of a fault in the actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Brady, Christoph Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 9376204
    Abstract: A high-lift system for a wing of an aircraft is provided. The high-lift system includes movably held high-lift flaps, at least one drive unit, at least one transmission shaft connected to the drive unit, and several actuator devices, distributed on the transmission shaft and connected to the high-lift flaps, for moving the high-lift flaps. The actuator devices each comprise a driven element and a torque limiting means. In one example, the driven elements of two adjacent actuator devices are interconnected in a non-rotational manner with the use of a separate torque transmitting means. If one actuator device is blocked, for example as a result of a defective tooth arrangement or some other defect, the torque to be produced by the intact actuator device increases and triggers its torque limiting means. This ensures synchronous operation and in the case of malfunction prevents damage to or detachment of a flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 9108724
    Abstract: An adjustment system of an aeroplane, having: at least one adjustable flap on each of the wing of an aeroplane, adjustable with an adjustment device, a drive device for purposes of driving the adjustment devices, and a load sensor for purposes of recording the load occurring in the load path between the actuator and the adjustable flap of the respective adjustment device. The load sensor is embodied as a sensor for purposes of measuring the longitudinal force occurring in a drive rod along its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Rechsiek, Wilfried Ellmers, Christoph Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20140343784
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an actuation system for a flight control surface of an aircraft, having: a support frame for supporting a flight control surface, the support frame being configured to be mounted to an airframe structure of the aircraft for movement between a first position and a second position to operate and move the control surface; an actuation mechanism configured to effect movement of the support frame between the second position and the first position; and a detection device for detecting a fault in the actuation mechanism, the detection device comprising a deflector configured to deflect or skew the support frame away from or out of the first position in the event of a fault in the actuation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Brady, Christoph Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 8868261
    Abstract: A monitoring device is disclosed for an actuation system of an aircraft for monitoring a guiding device of a regulating flap with a load sensor. An actuation system with the monitoring device and a method for reconfiguring such an actuation system are disclosed. The monitoring device includes an interface to the load sensor and an interface to a driving device for adjusting the regulating flap. The monitoring device can determine or receive in-flight information actively signaling a predefined flight attitude and/or a predefined operational state of the aircraft. The monitoring device can compare a load value corresponding to a sensor value acquired by the load sensor and a limiting value corresponding to a minimum operational load for the predefined flight attitude and/or the predefined operational state of the aircraft and a monitoring function. The monitoring function can assign a fault mode to the regulating flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Recksiek, Mark Heintjes, Christoph Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 8725319
    Abstract: A monitoring device is disclosed for an actuation system of an aircraft for monitoring a guiding device of a regulating flap with a load sensor. An actuation system with the monitoring device and a method for reconfiguring such an actuation system are disclosed. The monitoring device includes an interface to the load sensor and an interface to a driving device for adjusting the regulating flap. The monitoring device can determine or receive in-flight information actively signaling a predefined flight attitude and/or a predefined operational state of the aircraft. The monitoring device can compare a load value corresponding to a sensor value acquired by the load sensor and a limiting value corresponding to a minimum operational load for the predefined flight attitude and/or the predefined operational state of the aircraft and a monitoring function. The monitoring function can assign a fault mode to the regulating flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Recksiek, Mark Heintjes, Christoph Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20130277498
    Abstract: A high-lift system for a wing of an aircraft is provided. The high-lift system includes movably held high-lift flaps, at least one drive unit, at least one transmission shaft connected to the drive unit, and several actuator devices, distributed on the transmission shaft and connected to the high-lift flaps, for moving the high-lift flaps. The actuator devices each comprise a driven element and a torque limiting means. In one example, the driven elements of two adjacent actuator devices are interconnected in a non-rotational manner with the use of a separate torque transmitting means. If one actuator device is blocked, for example as a result of a defective tooth arrangement or some other defect, the torque to be produced by the intact actuator device increases and triggers its torque limiting means. This ensures synchronous operation and in the case of malfunction prevents damage to or detachment of a flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20130261852
    Abstract: A monitoring device is disclosed for an actuation system of an aircraft for monitoring a guiding device of a regulating flap with a load sensor. An actuation system with the monitoring device and a method for reconfiguring such an actuation system are disclosed. The monitoring device includes an interface to the load sensor and an interface to a driving device for adjusting the regulating flap. The monitoring device can determine or receive in-flight information actively signaling a predefined flight attitude and/or a predefined operational state of the aircraft. The monitoring device can compare a load value corresponding to a sensor value acquired by the load sensor and a limiting value corresponding to a minimum operational load for the predefined flight attitude and/or the predefined operational state of the aircraft and a monitoring function. The monitoring function can assign a fault mode to the regulating flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Recksiek, Mark Heintjes, Christoph Winkelmann
  • Patent number: 6930489
    Abstract: A device for the recognition of residual synchronization errors of multiple slats or flaps placed next to each other in an aircraft. The device includes a current carrying wire that runs through the slats or flaps. This wire is fastened at one end in the area of the gap between the slats or flaps and, on the other side, run through a cutting device. A detector can be used to detect and indicate the change in resistance when the wire is cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Schievelbusch, Christoph Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20040036477
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the recognition of residual synchronization errors of multiple slats or flaps placed next to each other in aircraft. According to the invention, a current-carrying wire is run through the slats or flaps placed next to each other. This wire is fastened at one end in the area of the gap between the slats or flaps and, on the other side, run through a cutting device. A detector can be used to detect and indicate the change in resistance when the wire is cut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Bernd Schievelbusch, Christoph Winkelmann