Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

United Technologies Corporation

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Floyd Richard Emmons

David A Salminen

Gregory DiVincenzo

Peter M Ballard

Chris Bonn

A linear actuator includes a planetary gear system includes a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier. A linear output mechanism is coupled to the planetary gear system. A first motor is configured to drive a first input shaft, and the first input shaft is coupled to the planet carrier. A second motor is configured to drive a second input shaft, and the second input shaft is coupled to the ring gear. A first brake is coupled to the first motor and is configured to be engaged into a braked position that holds the planet carrier fixed. In the braked position, rotation of the ring gear results in rotation of the sun gear for linear displacement of the linear output mechanism.

Dual redundant linear actuator

A system and method of calculating a fuel pump life expectancy in a fuel burning engine is provided. The method includes tracking a fuel pump speed of the fuel burning engine, tracking a position value of at least one fuel actuated actuator in the fuel burning engine, and calculating a fuel pump life expectancy value based on the fuel pump speed and the position value of the at least one fuel actuated actuator.

Gas turbine engine fuel system prognostic algorithm

A method and system for use with actuation system to control a plurality of vanes disposed within a turbine engine, wherein a vane position sensor provides a vane position signal corresponding to a vane position of the plurality of vanes, the actuation system includes a plurality of motors engaged in response to the vane position signal, and a differential gearbox having a plurality of inputs operatively coupled to the plurality of motors and an output operatively coupled to the plurality of vanes, wherein an output speed of the output is a sum of a plurality of input speeds of the plurality of inputs.

Redundant speed summing actuators

Systems and methods for assessing the health of a first apparatus by monitoring a second apparatus are described herein. A method for monitoring a health of a first apparatus may comprise receiving a performance parameter from a second apparatus, wherein performance of the second apparatus is dependent upon the health of the first apparatus, assessing the performance parameter, and determining the health of the first apparatus. In various embodiments, the performance parameter may comprise at least one of a speed value of the second apparatus, a position value of the second apparatus, a temperature value of the second apparatus, or a time value of the second apparatus.

Systems and methods for assessing the health of a first apparatus by monitoring a dependent second apparatus

A linear actuator includes a planetary gear system including a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier. A linear output mechanism is coupled to the planetary gear system. A first motor is configured to drive a first input shaft, and the first input shaft is coupled to the planet carrier. A second motor is configured to drive a second input shaft, and the second input shaft is coupled to one of the sun gear and the ring gear.

A jet engine actuation system includes a first ring gearbox, a second ring gearbox and an actuator. The first ring gearbox includes a first ring driveshaft coupled to a first portion of a synchronization ring included in a jet engine. The second ring gear box includes a second ring drive shaft coupled to a second portion of the synchronization ring. The actuator has a first actuator gearbox configured to generate a first rotational output and a second actuator gearbox configured to generate a second rotational output. A first drive shaft transfers the first rotational output to the first ring gearbox and a second drive shaft transfers the second rotational output to the second ring gearbox. The actuator simultaneously controls the first and second actuator gearboxes such that the first and second rotational outputs are simultaneously transferred to the first and second ring gearboxes to rotate the synchronization ring.

Jet engine actuation system

A pump sharing valve for a gas turbine engine fuel system includes a housing having multiple ports. A sleeve is arranged in the housing and includes an inlet window and first, second and third windows axially spaced apart from one another. A spool is slidably received in the sleeve and includes a diameter and first and second cylindrical portions. The first cylindrical portion selectively connects the inlet window to the second and third windows. The second cylindrical portion selectively connects the inlet window to the first window. The spool is movable between first and second positions relative to the first, second and third windows to regulate flow. The first and second cylindrical portions respectively includes first and second widths. A first ratio corresponds to the first width to the spool diameter and a second ratio corresponds to the second width to the spool diameters. The first ratio is between 1.83 and 1.93 and the second ratio is between 1.22 and 1.32.

Gas turbine engine fuel system pump sharing valve

A selector valve selects between the supply of a primary pressure supply and a secondary pressure supply to a downstream use. The selector valve moves between a first position at which it supplies fluid from a primary line to the use, and a second position at which it supplies fluid only from a secondary line to the use. The selector valves moves through an intermediate position at which fluid is supplied from both supplies to the use.

Proportional selector valve for selecting between two pressure sources

The rate of change of cabin air pressure in an aircraft cabin during aircraft ascent and descent is controlled as a function of a ratio which is equal to (P.sub.ld -P.sub.c)/(P.sub.ld -P.sub.a) during descent, and is equal to (P.sub.cc -P.sub.c)/(P.sub.cr -P.sub.a) during ascent, where P.sub.ld is ambient pressure at the aircraft landing site, P.sub.c is cabin pressure, P.sub.a is external aircraft ambient pressure, P.sub.cc is cabin pressure at cruise altitude, and P.sub.cr is ambient pressure at cruise altitude. A set point value for the ratio is computed throughout aircraft ascent and descent, and compared to the ratio to schedule a variable flow area of an outflow valve in order to drive the difference (i.e., the error) between the ratio and the desired value for the ratio to zero. By using an adjustable value for the desired set point, control of cabin pressure rate of change is improved during ascent and descent, since the cabin pressure rate of change is maintained at a reduced, linear rate, thereby providing a more comfortable environment for passengers.

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West Hartford, CT, United States of America

Floyd Richard Emmons