Parker-hannifin Corporation

David J Bouman

Eric A Polcuch

A mechanical synchronization device for a distributed system. A plurality of actuators actuate movement of control surface components of an aircraft. Each actuator has a first end coupled to a structure of the aircraft and a second end coupled to a control surface component, and a drive path from a motion provider to the control surface component, the control surface component being configured to move along the respective drive path. A power module controller is operable to simultaneously output motor drive power from a power module through an electrical bus to at least two of the motion providers in a synchronous or nearly synchronous manner to actuate movement of control surface components. The mechanical synchronization device is between at least two of the actuators and transfers torque between the actuators to maintain symmetry between the actuators. A load limiting device may limit the power transferred through the mechanical synchronization device.

Synchronization system for distributed electromechanical actuation system

A cowl door actuator is arranged between a head end and a rod end connected to a cowl door in an aircraft. The cowl door has a closed position and an open position, and the cowl door actuator includes a piston rod that is axially moveable between the head end and the rod end. The piston rod has an extended position in which the piston rod contacts the rod end to move the cowl door to the open position, and a retracted position in which the piston rod is axially spaced from the rod end. When the cowl door is in the closed position, the gap between the piston rod and the rod end enables an axial displacement of the piston rod toward the extended position during thermal expansion of fluid remaining in the actuator, such that the cowl door is maintained in the closed position.

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Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

David J Bouman