Aircraft hydraulic/pneumatic fitting removal tool and related method of use for disengaging the locking collars of such fittings. In a particular embodiment, the fitting removal tool has a right cylindrical housing having a first and second end. Proximate to the second end is an internal circumferential pocket.

Fitting removal tool for retracting the locking collar of an open ended hydraulic/pneumatic fitting comprising: a seat structured and arranged to seat against the open end of the fitting; a housing structured and arranged to house the seat; an adjustable actuator structured and arranged to laterally actuating the seat within the housing; a swivel structured and arranged to maintaining the seat in a given orientation; and an attacher integral to the housing, the attacher structured and arranged to attach the housing to the locking collar of the fitting.

Modem aircraft, specifically commercial aircraft, frequently utilize high pressure fluid circuits commonly referred to as pneumatic or hydraulic systems to control and operate a wide variety of aircraft systems. From flight control systems such as flaps and ailerons to engine systems such as thrust reversers and safety systems such as door latches, hydraulic/pneumatic systems have proven highly reliable and generally superior to other systems. It is therefore not surprising that a modem commercial aircraft may have many miles of hydraulic pathways.

Although a common and often desirable characteristic of hydraulic/pneumatic systems is that the piping may be flexible and or formed into a variety of shapes, substantially rigid fittings are typically used to connect the ends of piping to housings or other structures. During operation, an aircraft may be subject to a number of vibration forces. In some instances these vibrations may be sufficient to loosen fittings. To combat this loosening tendency, fittings have been developed with locking systems intended to keep them in place and resist loosening over time, whether due to vibration or other stresses.

In particular, and by way of example only, according to an embodiment of the present invention, this invention provides a fitting removal tool for retracting the locking collar of an open ended hydraulic/pneumatic fitting. The removal tool provides a seat structured and arranged to seat against the open end of the fitting; a housing structured and arranged to house the seat; an adjustable actuator structured and arranged to laterally actuating the seat within the housing; a swivel structured and arranged to maintaining the seat in a given orientation; and an attacher integral to the housing, the attacher structured and arranged to attach the housing to the locking collar of the fitting.

Moreover, according to an embodiment thereof, the invention may provide a fitting removal tool for retracting the locking collar of an open ended hydraulic/pneumatic fitting, the removal tool characterized by a housing having an internal channel partially along a longitudinal axis. A swivel seat is disposed within the internal channel and is configured to engage the open end of the fitting. An adjustable actuator is coupled to the swivel seat and configured to laterally actuate the swivel seat within the internal channel. An attacher, integral to the housing, is also provided and configured to attach the housing to the locking collar of the fitting.

In yet another embodiment, the invention may provide a method of retracting the locking collar of an open ended hydraulic/pneumatic fitting using a removal tool. The removal tool is characterized by a cylindrical housing having a first end, a second end, a partially exposed internal channel concentric to the longitudinal axis, a pocket transverse to the longitudinal axis and proximate to the housing second, an adjustable actuator extending through the first end into the internal channel and joined to a swivel seat disposed and laterally actuated within the internal channel.
The method of removal involves actuating the adjustable actuator in a first direction to retract the swivel seat within the slot and placing the removal tool parallel to the fitting such that the partially exposed internal channel and pocket are presented to the fitting. The pocket is then slip-fit over the locking collar of the fitting. Actuating the adjustable actuator in a second direction advances the swivel seat to engage the open end of the fitting. Force is then applied by driving the adjustable actuator in the second direction, the force through the base providing a lateral motion of the cylindrical housing relative to the swivel seat engaging the open end of the fitting.

The developer of the present inventions, Honeywell International, Inc., has for years successfully designed, developed, manufactured and repaired aircraft hydraulic/pneumatic circuits and systems.