Moog Gmbh

The Boeing Company

Seth E Gitnes

Mark Steven Good

Glynn Michael Thomas

Paul M Vijgen

Paul M Viigen

Kenneth K Nakashima

William H House

Ming Chih Weng

Glynn M Thomas

A linear actuator comprising a shaft and a nut in engagement with the shaft such that the nut translates within a linear range of motion axially on a center axis relative to the shaft in response to relative rotation between the nut and the shaft, a stop positioned at a travel limiting position and having a rotational input portion and an axial output portion, the rotational input portion configured to rotate about the center axis relative to the shaft, the axial output portion constrained from rotating about the center axis relative to the shaft and configured to translate axially on the center axis relative to the rotational input portion in response to relative rotation between the axial output portion and the rotational input portion, and an axially compliant member configured to bias the axial output portion towards the travel limiting position.

Shock absorbing actuator end stop

A linear actuator comprising a shaft and a nut that translates within a linear range of motion in response to relative rotation between the nut and shaft, a stop positioned at a travel limiting position and having an inner portion connected to the shaft, a radially compliant outer portion axially overlapping the inner portion and configured to rotate relative to the inner portion, and a cam roller portion disposed radially between the inner and outer portions and configured to move relative to a neutral orientation in response to relative rotation between the inner and outer portions, and the outer portion configured to radially bias the cam roller portion towards the neutral orientation; wherein rotation of the outer portion caused by the nut rotating into the outer portion provides an outward radial load at the cam roller portion on the outer portion that is absorbed by the outer portion.

Torsionally compliant actuator end stop

A stop module halts rotation of a shaft of a rotational drive system when an axial stroke limit is reached without the use of frictional brake plates. The module has a fixed nut and a pawl carrier coaxially mounted on the shaft for axial travel along the shaft and rotation with the shaft. The pawl carrier includes a screw portion mated with the nut such that rotation of the pawl carrier with the shaft causes the pawl carrier to travel axially along the shaft. A pawl member is pivotally coupled to the pawl carrier, and a stop element is fixed at an axial limit location. The pawl carrier is axially displaceable from a non-limit position wherein the pawl member is clear of the stop element during rotation to a limit position wherein the pawl member is interfered with by the stop element during rotation to stop rotation of the shaft.

Low friction travel limiting stop module for a rotational drive system

A torque limiter limits transmission of torque between an input shaft an output shaft. The torque limiter may be incorporated in a geared rotary actuator for actuating an aircraft control surface. The torque limiter is responsive to output torque associated with the output shaft instead of input torque associated with the input shaft. The torque limiter includes a structural ground and a gear assembly for transmitting rotational motion of the input shaft to the output shaft. The gear assembly includes a reference gear coupled to the structural ground such that movement of the reference gear relative to the structural ground is dependent upon an output torque at the output shaft. The reference gear is stationary relative to the structural ground when the output torque is below an output torque limit, and the reference gear moves relative the structural ground when the output torque exceeds the output torque limit.

Torque limiter responsive to output torque

A power-off brake for stopping a rotating shaft comprises a solenoid including a coil and armature, an opposing plate axially spaced from the armature, and a ball carrier rotor between the armature and opposing plate. The ball carrier rotor rotates with the shaft and carries spherical balls in recesses angularly space about the shaft. The armature and opposing plate have respective braking surfaces. In one embodiment, at least one braking surface is ramped to urge the plurality of balls radially outward against an internal surface of a surrounding outer race as the armature is forced toward the opposing plate under spring loading when current to the solenoid coil is shut off. In another embodiment, the braking surfaces are not ramped, such that the balls are merely clamped between the braking surfaces upon solenoid deactivation. Increased rolling friction stops rotation of the ball carrier rotor and the shaft without problematic wear.

Dynamic brake

Systems and methods for providing differential motion to wing high lift devices are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a wing having a leading edge, a trailing edge, a first deployable lift device with a first spanwise location, and a second deployable lift device with a second spanwise location different than the first. The wing system can further include a drive system having a drive link operatively coupleable to both the first and second deployable lift devices, and a control system operatively coupled to the drive system. The control system can have a first configuration for which the drive link is operatively coupled to the first and second deployable lift devices, and activation of at least a portion of the drive link moves the first and second deployable lift devices together. In a second configuration, the drive link is operatively coupled to at least the first deployable lift device and operatively decoupled from the second deployable lift device, so that actuation of at least a portion of the drive link moves the first deployable lift device relative to the second deployable lift device.

Systems and methods for providing differential motion to wing high lift device

An improved powered hinge () with an automatic locking feature proximate the ends of permissible relative angular displacement of its two hinge sections broadly includes: a stationary member () having a pivotal axis (x-x), and having a first slot () extending between opposite ends; a movable member () mounted for rotation about the pivotal axis relative to the stationary member, and having a second slot () extending between opposite ends; a driving member () adapted to be rotated about the pivotal axis relative to the stationary member from one angular position to another angular position, and having a third slot () extending between opposite ends; and an elongated pin () passing through the first, second and third slots, the pin being constrained for movement substantially parallel to the pivotal axis; the first, second and third slots being so configured and arranged that as the driving member is rotated from the one angular position to the other angular position, the pin will be moved from substantially one end of the each of the slots to substantially the other end of each of the slots, and the movable member will be rotated about the pivotal axis relative to the stationary member.

Powered hinge with automatic locking feature at opposite ends of permissible relative angular displacement of the hinge sections

Aircraft wing systems for providing differential motion to deployable lift devices

A force-limiting rotary lock ( ) for a shaft ( ) mounted on a housing ( ) for rotational and axial movement relative thereto, broadly includes a lug member ( ) provided on the shaft, and a pawl ( ) mounted on the housing. The pawl is movable relative to the housing between first and second positions. The pawl is operatively arranged to engage the lug when the pawl is in its first position (shown in FIG. 3) to prevent further rotation of the shaft in one angular direction, and to be disengaged from the lug when the pawl is in its second position (shown in FIG. 2) to permit rotation of the shaft in either angular direction. A cam ( ) is mounted on the shaft, and a follower ( ) is mounted on the housing for selectively moving the pawl between the first and second positions when the shaft is axially displaced from its predetermined position. When the shaft is axially displaced from its predetermined position and the pawl engages the lug, the shaft will be prevented from rotating further in the one angular direction.

Force-limiting rotary lock

The torque limiter described herein is a device for preventing the transmission of torque from a drive source to a torque responsive element when a predetermined torque limit has been reached. The device also provides subsequent mechanical indication that the predetermined torque limit has been reached. The device operates by transmitting torque between two axial members, a drive member and a driven member, having a plurality of balls therebetween with the balls engaged within precisely shaped sockets contained within each axial member. As excess torque occurs, the plurality of balls cause the driven member to axially displace with respect to the drive member, engaging a set of teeth contained on the driven member with a second set of teeth aligned with the first set of teeth and restrained within the housing, thereby preventing torque transmission. The second set of teeth is allowed to rotate, relative to the housing, through a predetermined angle into a torsionally compliant mount before contacting substantially rigid structure. This allows the teeth to engage smoothly at higher operating speeds. Indication of the torque overload event is achieved by detecting the limited motion of the second set of teeth relative to the housing with a slidably mounted plunger within the housing and axially located by a detent in the member containing the second set of teeth.

Growing community of inventors

Everett, WA, United States of America

Seth E Gitnes