Claverham Limited

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation

Paul R Brewer

Reg R Raval

Suat Bekircan

Steven Shorcott

Zaffir A Chaudhry

Andrzej Ernest Kuczek

Ulf J Jonsson

Brian Ernest Wake

Claude G Matalanis

Andrew Nicholas Walton

Phillip A Rowles

Reg Raval

Steven Shortcott

Philip Andrew Rowles

Steven Shorcoll

Andrew Miller

Andrew Walton

Matalanis Claude G G

An actuation system for an aircraft control surface. The actuation system may include a rotary driver and three or more actuator modules, and each actuator module may be connected to the rotary driver such that the three or more actuator modules are configured to drive rotation of the rotary driver in combination.

Actuation system

A rotary damper comprising a fixed structure, a rotor configured to rotate about an axis (R-R), and two opposing bellows. The bellows each extend between the rotor and the fixed structure and are attached thereto. The bellows each define a chamber for holding hydraulic fluid and are configured to expand and contract as the rotor rotates. The damper further comprises a damping orifice extending through the rotor or the fixed structure. The bellows are sealingly engaged around the damping orifice and the damping orifice permits fluid communication between the chambers defined by the bellows.

Rotary damper

A linear actuator is provided. The linear actuator comprises: a body; a shaft adapted to move linearly relative to the body; a driver adapted to drive the linear movement of the shaft; and a shape memory alloy component configured to compensate for thermal expansion or contraction of the linear actuator due to a change in temperature thereof.

Linear actuator

There is disclosed a flow control nozzle for controlling the flow of an incompressible fluid, the flow control nozzle having a flow area and comprising a deformable element comprising a shaped memory alloy (SMA) material wherein within a range of operating temperatures the SMA material is configured to reduce the flow area of the flow control nozzle as the operating temperature increases. The flow control nozzle is thus able to dynamically compensate for changes in operating temperature in order to maintain a constant flow.

Flow control nozzle

An actuator rod assembly for a blade pitch control system is provided herein. The actuator rod assembly includes a tubular outer rod and an inner rod. The outer rod has a first end and a second end. The inner rod has a first end and a second end and extends through the tubular outer rod. The inner rod is tensioned against the tubular outer rod so as to place the outer rod in compression.

Actuator rod assembly for a blade pitch control system

A spool valve arrangement comprising a spool arranged for linear movement within a bore to regulate flow of fluid through the bore according to the linear position of the spool relative to the bore, the spool having an end arranged to be engaged, in use, by a drive member to cause the linear movement, the spool valve arrangement further comprising a sliding block component moveably attached to the spool end and arranged to engage with the drive member, in use, such that the drive member engages with the spool end via the sliding block component and the sliding block component moves relative to the spool to compensate for non-linear movement of the drive member.

Servo spool valve

A gurney flap arrangement includes: an airfoilwith a trailing edgeand an openingin a surfaceof the airfoil; a gurney flaphaving a first position in which at least a portion of the gurney flapextends through the openingand projects outwardly from the airfoil surface, and a second position in which the gurney flapdoes not project from the airfoil surfaceor projects outwardly from the airfoil surfaceto a lesser extent; and a gurney flap actuatorfor moving the gurney flapbetween at least the first position and the second position.

Gurney flap

A hydraulic damper comprises an outer cylinder, and an inner cylinder slidably mounted within the outer cylinder for movement relative to the outer cylinder along a longitudinal axis. The inner cylinder has a circumferential wall circumscribing a bellows assembly. The bellows assembly comprises a first bellows section, a second bellows section, a damping plate attached to and separating the first and second bellows sections, a first closure element closing an end of the first bellows section opposite the damping plate to define a first chamber, and a second closure element closing an end of the second bellows section opposite the damping plate to define a second chamber. The first closure element is attached to the inner cylinder for movement therewith relative to the outer cylinder. The second closure element is also attached to the inner cylinder for movement therewith relative to the outer cylinder.

Hydraulic damper

A gurney flap arrangement comprises: an airfoil with an opening in a surface of the airfoil; a gurney flap having a first position in which at least a portion of the gurney flap extends through the opening and projects outwardly from the airfoil surface, and a second position in which the gurney flap does not project from the airfoil surface or projects outwardly from the airfoil surface to a lesser extent; and a seal disposed about the opening to seal a gap in the opening between the gurney flap and the airfoil.

A hydraulic spool valve assembly comprising a housing defining a bore having a longitudinal axis (L), a hydraulic spool valve, a sleeve disposed within the bore and a temperature compensation device disposed between the sleeve and the housing. The hydraulic spool valve having a first end for connection to a drive arm, and an opposing second end disposed within the bore. The sleeve disposed between the hydraulic spool valve and the housing. The temperature compensation device configured to expand in a first longitudinal direction in response to a temperature increase, to oppose movement of the sleeve in an opposing second longitudinal direction caused by the temperature increase.

Hydraulic valve

A drive lever comprising a first end for insertion into a slot of the hydraulic spool valve. The first end comprises at least two resilient members which resist radial compression (R, R) such that they exert a radially outward force (F, F) on one or more inner surfaces of the slot when inserted therein. This radially outward force (F, F) can account for any backlash that would otherwise be present between the drive lever and the slot due to manufacturing tolerances or wear.

A load bearing assembly comprises: a lug body; an outer race disposed within and supported by the lug body; an inner race disposed within and supported by the outer race; and a relief slot defined between the adjacent surfaces of the outer race and the lug body, wherein the relief slot is formed in the surface of the outer race.

Relief slot for a load bearing assembly

The present disclosure relates to an adjustment system a method for compensating for temperature variations in a spool valve. The spool valve and adjustment system may be parts in a duplex hydraulic actuator. The adjustment device comprises a spring, a pivot point, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) device. The spring and SMA device are disposed on either side of the pivot point to hold the pivot point in a first position. The SMA device is configured to change size in response to a temperature change so as move the pivot point to a second location. This may eliminate force fight in the duplex hydraulic actuator by preventing asynchronous activation of the spool valves due to thermal expansion within the spool valves.

Adjustment system for a hydraulic actuator

A spool for a hydraulic spool valve, comprising: a pressure chamber for connecting a pressure line to a hydraulic cylinder; at least one return chamber for connecting the hydraulic cylinder to a reservoir; and an actuator slot for receiving a drive lever; wherein the spool further comprises a fluid path connecting said pressure chamber to said actuator slot and a pressure plate movably mounted in the slot such that in use it is disposed between the fluid path and the drive lever.

Growing community of inventors

Keynsham, United Kingdom

Paul R Brewer