Sundstrand Corporation

Robert J Hermans

Steven J Ebbing

Bruce D Beneditz

John J Vicari

Steven J Myers

The problem of reducing the number of parts and reducing the manufacturing costs of actuator arms in a power driven actuator system of a type including a planetary gear train (42), is solved by providing an elongate torque shaft (40) coupled to the gear train. A pair of ring gears (56a, 56b) are spaced longitudinally of the torque shaft (40) as part of the planetary gear train (42). Each ring gear (56a, 56b) has identical actuator arm mounting portions (64) facing in opposite axial directions of the torque shaft (40). A pair of asymmetrical actuator arms (16) project radially outwardly of the torque shaft. Each actuator arm has identical mounting portions (66) on opposite axial sides thereof complementary to the mounting portions (64) on either ring gear (56a, 56b) for interchangeably mounting either asymmetrical actuator arm on either ring gear to be driven thereby.

Power driven actuator system

A power drive unit and control system therefor avoiding performance degradation which can occur in control of the variable displacement hydraulic motor of the power drive unit by measurement of the angle of a displacement-setting wobbler of the motor and the speed of the motor. This is avoided by sensing flow through the motor which provides an indirect measure of wobbler position and speed of motor operation. The power drive unit and control system therefor has a variable displacement hydraulic motor with a displacement-setting wobbler positioned by pressure applied to a servo piston by an electro-hydraulic servo valve. The control system responds to a speed command having a value dependent upon a position loop which determines the relation between the actual position of a load and a commanded position, with the control providing for a maximum possible speed of motor operation under a particular load condition with a substantially constant rate of fluid flow through the motor. As the load varies, the flow through a flow-regulator valve varies and flow is sensed by a linear variable differential transformer associated with the valve member of the flow regulator. The linear variable differential transformer outputs a control voltage indicative of a variation in either direction from the desired rate of fluid flow through the motor which is used to adjust the angle of the wobbler to bring the flow to the desired rate and the motor is caused to operate at a maximum possible speed. The control, by using a speed command responsive to a position loop, provides a controlled snubbing action to reduce the speed of the motor as the load approaches the commanded position.

Power drive unit and control system therefor

This invention relates to a motor control unit and a feedback arrangement to minimize the effects of backlash in a rotary output system. The system includes a source of energy. The motor control has a directional control element moveable from a null position. The motor control unit is coupled to the source of energy and to a motor which in turn is coupled to the rotary output and to a second input of a differential harmonic drive that has first and second inputs and an output. The first input of the differential harmonic drive is coupled to a rotational command input unit and the differential harmonic drive output is drivingly coupled to the moveable direction control element. In response to a given rotational command input when the second input is in an initial static position, whereupon the motor is coupled to the source of energy through the motor control unit, the rotary output is driven a precise number of revolutions dependent upon the given rotational command input. The second input is simultaneously driven a given number of revolutions in a direction to provide feedback, such that the differential harmonic drive output moves to return the moveable element to the null condition, and the system is then in a condition to respond to additional rotational command input.

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Rockford, IL, United States of America

Robert J Hermans