Woodward Hrt, Inc.

John Lauffer

Carlos Alexander Fenny

Rhett S Henrickson

Marc W Kinard

A direct drive servovalve () includes redundant drive motors () coupled to a common valve drive shaft () by a connection device (). The connection device () is configured to allow operation of the servovalve () in the case where one or more of the drive motors () becomes inoperable, such as caused by jamming or binding of a rotor associated with the drive motor. By use of the connection device (), in the event that one of the drive motors () was to become jammed, the remaining operable motors () can continue to stroke or cause translation of a valve member () of the direct drive servovalve () to allow its continued operation.

Direct drive servovalve having redundant drive motors

A floating piston actuator for use with multiple hydraulic systems includes a housing and a piston assembly. The piston assembly includes an elongate shaft or ram, at least one secured piston coupled to the ram, and a set of moveable pistons moveably disposed within the housing chamber on the ram such that the set of moveable pistons are translatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the ram. The set of moveable pistons form at least three hydraulically separate actuator cylinders where each of the three hydraulically separate actuator cylinders are disposed in fluid communication with a corresponding pressurized fluid source. The floating piston actuator allows hydraulic redundancy while maintaining a similar length compared to existing multi-system actuators. The floating pistons can be arranged in multiple configurations to allow operation with a hydraulic system failure without force fight or binding and with a higher output force than conventional multi-system actuators.

Floating piston actuator for operation with multiple hydraulic systems

A hydraulic actuator is configured to provide redundant boost control to an aircraft within approximately the same space required by a single hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic actuator includes a housing and a piston assembly disposed within the housing. The piston assembly includes a ram, a first piston secured to the ram, and second and third pistons disposed on the ram such that the second and third pistons are translatable relative to the longitudinal axis of the ram. The pistons form two hydraulically separate actuator cylinders within the space required by a single cylinder which results in a reduction in the weight and size of the hydraulic actuator.

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Santa Clarita, CA, United States of America

John Lauffer