Hr Textron, Inc.

Caldera Engineering, Lc

Woodward Hrt, Inc.

M Robert Mock

Jeffrey Robison

Frank Redd

Grant Allen Sweer

Raymond Liu

Grant Sweer

Ralph D Edson

Michael I Kellogg

Mark Woodruff

John Adams Marshall

John Marshall

In accordance with various embodiments, a plug head assembly is provided comprising a ceramic plug head having a frustroconical geometry, wherein the ceramic plug head has a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, wherein the ceramic plug head has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), a sleeve having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the ceramic plug head and a second CTE, wherein the second CTE is greater than the first CTE, a distal retainer having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the sleeve, the distal retainer having a first engagement portion for engaging the a proximal retainer, the proximal retainer having a second engagement portion for engaging the distal retainer, and a base that couples with the proximal retainer. In addition, thick banded plug heads are provided.

Plug head assemblies

In a normal operating mode, a motor controller provides motor drive current to windings of a motor based on sensor signals to drive the windings in a normal commutation sequence, and monitors for occurrence of a motor stall condition. Upon detecting the motor stall condition in a given commutation state, then in a first driving step, the windings are momentarily driven according to an advanced commutation state, and during the first driving step, a reverse transition of the sensor signals to a state corresponding to a preceding commutation state is detected. Upon completion of the first driving step when such a reverse transition of the sensor signals is detected, then in a second driving step the windings are driven according to the preceding commutation state until a forward transition of the sensor signals is detected, and in a third driving step the windings are momentarily continued to be driven according to the same commutation state notwithstanding the forward transition of the sensor signals before normal operation is resumed.

Motor controller with hall sensor output misalignment compensation using delayed or shifted commutation

The actuator system has a external rotor motor having: (i) an internal armature configured as a stator having a set of coils wrapped around a set of arms, and (ii) an external permanent magnet rotor having a set of poles configured to rotate less than 90 degrees around the stator. The actuator system has a drive shaft configured to be rotated by the external rotor motor. The actuator system has a drive train connecting the external permanent magnet rotor to the drive shaft, and configured to provide gear ratio to the drive shaft.

Limited angle external rotor motor actuator system

An electric motor has a stator, and a rotor disposed within the stator. The stator has a set of stator laminations and a set of windings held in position by the set of stator laminations. The rotor is arranged to rotate about an axis. The set of stator laminations is arranged into a stack. Each stator lamination includes an outer section, and a set of teeth coupled to the outer section. Each tooth of the set of teeth extends from that outer section toward the axis. Each tooth has (i) a first end which is proximate to the outer section and distal to the axis, and (ii) a second end which is proximate to the axis and distal to the outer section. A width of the first end of each tooth is substantially greater than a width of the second end of each tooth.

Lamination having tapered tooth geometry which is suitable for use in electric motor

A control surface actuation system has the ability to move aerodynamic control surfaces using a rotational motion of a motor. In an arrangement, rotational motion of the motor enables the aerodynamic control surfaces of a rotating projectile to oscillate and thus vary the angle of the control surfaces as the projectile spins. The rotation of a motor in one direction in combination with a gear and a link and a crank arm attached to a shaft of the aerodynamic control surfaces allows the control surfaces to move in fluttering motion to induce the maneuvering of a projectile in the desired direction. A controller takes information regarding the current condition of the projectile and drives the motor to move the aerodynamic devices to maneuver the projectile.

Eccentric drive control actuation system

A locking assembly has a base and a rotary shaft which is capable of rotating relative to the base. The rotary shaft has a shaft body and a set of capture portions supported by the shaft body. The locking assembly further includes a set of detention mechanisms supported by the base. The set of detention mechanisms is arranged to (i) initially apply retention force to the set of capture portions to provide resistance against rotation of the rotary shaft from an initial angular position, and (ii) remove application of the retention force from the set of capture portions in response to an amount of rotational torque on the rotary shaft. The amount of rotational torque on the rotary shaft exceeds a predetermined threshold and is sufficient to substantially rotate the rotary shaft from the initial angular position.

Locking assembly for rotary shafts

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing reduced friction in drive screw assemblies, including electromechanical actuator (EMA) assemblies. A drive screw assembly is disclosed that includes a drive shaft, a drive screw, and a screw head. A stationary guide collar having a guide bore and a support surface receives the screw head or a portion of the drive screw. The guide collar may be fixed in angular relation to the screw head. As the screw head moves on a linear path during rotation of an associated drive shaft, a supported surface slides in only linear motion with respect to the support surface of the guide collar and as a result friction forces due only to linear motion are generated. Rotational friction forces and associated efficiency and power losses are consequently reduced or eliminated in the drive screw assembly. The supported surface may include a perimeter of the screw head, a circumferential surface of the second portion of the drive screw, or a circumferential surface of an intermediary screw shank.

Reduced-friction drive screw assembly

A projectile has the ability to generate and provide power to components located in two sections of the projectile which have relative rotation to each other. The projectile has a pair of generators allowing the powering of components in two sections. The projectile has a force-producing device for altering the direction of the projectile as the projectile moves along the longitudinal axis of the projectile and the relative rotational position of the force-producing device on the projectile is controlled by a generator.

Guided projectile with power and control mechanism

Position sensing of movable elements including but not limited to machine components is disclosed. Motion of a movable element can produce motion of a magnetic field, which can be detected by magnetic sensors. The motion and/or variations of a magnetic field and/or a magnetic flux may be produced by any combination of a motion of the sensors, associated magnets, or associated magnetic material. Magnetic sensors maybe capable of measuring either rotary, or linear motion, or both. Such sensors can provide indication of an incremental position change, an absolute position, or both. Absolute position and high-resolution position sensing may be produced for measurement of either linear and/or angular motion. Suitable magnetic sensors include, but are not limited to, Hall effect devices and/or magneto-resistive elements, and may include multi-element magnetic sensors. Suitable signal conditioning and/or control means such as control electronics can be used to receive output signals from the sensors.

Position sensing for moveable mechanical systems and associated methods and apparatus

Position sensing of movable elements including but not limited to machine components is disclosed. Motion of a movable element can produce motion of a magnetic field, which can be detected by magnetic sensors. The motion and/or variations of a magnetic field and/or a magnetic flux may be produced by any combination of a motion of the sensors, associated magnets, or associated magnetic material. Magnetic sensors may be capable of measuring either rotary, or linear motion, or both. Such sensors can provide indication of an incremental position change, an absolute position, or both. Absolute position and high-resolution position sensing may be produced for measurement of either linear and/or angular motion. Suitable magnetic sensors include, but are not limited to, Hall effect devices and/or magneto-resistive elements, and may include multi-element magnetic sensors. Suitable signal conditioning and/or control means such as control electronics can be used to receive output signals from the sensors.

Oscillation and other disturbance damping is provided for a system having a load driven by an electric motor, e.g., an electromagnetic actuator. Damping is achieved using feedback in an active mode, where power is supplied in a normal operation mode of the electromagnetic actuator. Feedback may be provided by measured force (or torque) transmitted between the actuator and load mass. A gear train or other mechanical advantage device may be connected between the electromagnetic actuator output and load, this combination forming an electromechanical actuator (EMA). Instead of force or torque, acceleration of the load may be used as a feedback signal. In one embodiment, active mode damping uses the motor's actual current as a feedback signal. In certain or all active damping versions of the invention, a high pass filter is preferably used to receive feedback signals and filter out low frequency feedback. Alternatively, damping is achieved in an inactive (passive) mode of motor operation, e.g., where the electric motor is not receiving power drive signals. The motor coils are shorted, e.g., using a switch. The induced motor currents act to inhibit load oscillations. Preferably, a resistance, e.g., a number of resistors, are in the short circuit to tailor the damping characteristics of the motor. In at least the active current feedback and passive modes of operation, inertia of the electric motor is substantially reduced in relation to typical motor inertia, by changing the stator to rotor diameter ratio from a typical ratio of at or about 2:1 or less, to a substantially higher ratio than 2:1.

Damping for electromechanical actuators

A brushless DC motor apparatus includes a housing and a stator assembly coupled to the housing. The apparatus further includes a magnetic rotor assembly rotatably coupled to the housing. The magnetic rotor assembly is configured to rotate within the housing in response to electric currents through windings of the stator assembly. The apparatus further includes position sensors which are configured to provide position signals identifying angular position of the magnetic rotor assembly relative to the stator assembly. Each position sensor includes (i) a Hall-effect sensor disposed distally from the windings, and (ii) magnetic circuit members having first end portions adjacent the windings and proximate rotor magnets and second end portions adjacent the Hall-effect sensor. Use of such magnetic circuit members enables the Hall-effect sensors to reside a greater distance from the windings vis-&#xe0;-vis conventional brushless DC motors which position sensors adjacent to stator coils within motor casings.

Growing community of inventors

Midway, UT, United States of America

M Robert Mock