Curtiss Wright Flight Systems, Inc.

William Reilly

A jam-tolerant geared rotary actuator, capable of performing in a normal operating mode and a jam-tolerant operating mode, which includes: an output spline member for releasably connecting the movable ring gear to the output ring; a decoupling member which includes an input shaft disposed within a hollow timing shaft, and a shear member for sensing excessive torque and initiating the jam-tolerant mode; a sun gear spline member for connecting the sun gear to the hollow timing shaft; an axial displacement member for engaging the output spline member with the movable ring gear and the output ring; and an input engagement member for releasably connecting the axial displacement member to the input shaft. The axial displacement member includes a decoupling bushing and a double threaded decoupling nut. The nut is disposed between the timing shaft and the decoupling bushing. In the jam-tolerant mode, the decoupling bushing and the output spline member are axially displaced, thereby disengaging the output spline member from the output ring gear, and thereby disengaging the output ring from the movable ring gear. The axial displacement member disconnects from the input shaft as well.

Growing community of inventors

Verona, NJ, United States of America

William Reilly