Garmin International, Inc.

Perry L Dinger

Benjamin N Patel

Dustin B Kilgore

A fly-by-wire (FBW) system comprising a plurality of servo actuators for controlling the flight control surfaces of an aircraft in which each of the servo actuators may comprise a flight control computer (FCC) that controls the output of the servo actuator. Input from a pilot or autopilot system may be communicated directly to the servo actuator FCCs, which may perform the requisite computations to determine the servo actuator output. For each axis, a primary and a secondary servo actuator may be provided, and the secondary servo actuator may operate in the event of a failure in the primary servo actuator. Each servo actuator may have two motors, each configured to drive an end of a differential such that each motor can act as a brake, a clutch or motor on the servo actuator.

Fly-by-wire system with FCC-integrated servo actuators

A fly-by-wire (FBW) servo actuator may be used for primary flight control for an aircraft. The FBW servo actuator may have an inner output shaft coupled to an output arm that actuates a control surface of the aircraft. A first differential and a second differential may be coupled to the output shaft via a first outer shaft and a second outer shaft, respectively. Two inputs may be provided to each of the two differentials, and each input may be driven by a distinct motor. Thus, if one of the motors fails, the other motors may allow for uninterrupted operation of the servo actuator. The differentials may comprise harmonic gears driven by the two inputs. The inputs may be applied to a wave generator and a circular spline of the harmonic gear, and a flex spline of the harmonic gear may drive the outer shaft.

Fly-by-wire servo actuator for primary flight control

An aviation actuator assembly for various aviation servo and/or autopilot applications can include an actuator having an output shaft and a mechanical fuse for joining to the output shaft and another rotating body. The mechanical fuse can include a fuse body having a first connection point for joining to the output shaft, a second connection point for joining to the rotating body, and at least one channel defined in the fuse body. The first connection point and the second connection point are configured to be disposed in a line generally parallel to a common axis of rotation of the output shaft and the rotating body. The fuse body has a generally flat cross-sectional profile along its length between the first connection point and the second connection point, and the channel extends generally perpendicular to the length of the fuse body and narrows the cross-sectional profile.

Aviation actuator assembly with mechanical fuse

A planetary drive servo actuator comprises a drive assembly operable to turn an output shaft. The drive assembly includes an outer cylinder configured to rotate within the housing and an inner cylinder configured to rotate within the outer cylinder. A clutch is operable to prevent the outer cylinder from rotating within the housing and to allow the inner cylinder to be rotated within the outer cylinder to turn the output shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Olathe, KS, United States of America

Perry L Dinger