Abstract: An actuator comprises a ball nut and a lock housing arranged radially outwardly of the ball nut and overlapping a proximal end of the ball nut when the ball nut is in a stowed position. The lock housing comprises a sleeve in which is located an aperture, and a locking element is retained within the aperture and can move in a radial direction through the aperture. When the ball nut is in the stowed position, the locking element engages with a locking projection on the ball nut, to retain the ball nut in the stowed position.

Abstract: An actuator system comprising a rotatable lock mechanism defining a path for an actuator pin as the actuator is expanded and retracted, wherein the lock mechanism defines an entry passage through which the pin enters as the actuator extends, a guide surface along which the pin travels from the entry passage as the actuator retracts, a locking recess into which the pin is guided by the guide surface, and an exit passage into which the pin is guided as it is caused to leave the lock recess by extension of the actuator and subsequent retraction; whereby a detent surface is provided to prevent the pin returning back into the lock recess when the actuator is extended to cause the pin to leave the lock recess; and whereby the lock mechanism provides a sloping engagement surface for the pin, either side of the entry passage.

Abstract: An extruded housing for an electric motor comprises: an extruded cylindrical body for holding electrical parts of the motor, extruded axial fins formed about the outside of the cylindrical body, and radial cuts machined through the axial fins.

Abstract: A coupling e.g. for an actuator, comprises a housing which is preferably in the form of a ring mounted around the end of the outer rod and which can be mounted to a component e.g. a cowl being deployed. Within the housing of the coupling is provided a ring disk. This is sized and arranged within the housing such that there is some clearance between the ring disk and the housing so as to permit some eccentric movement.

Abstract: A thrust reverser drive arrangement is described for use in driving a thrust reverser cowl for movement relative to first and second guide tracks, the drive arrangement comprising a first actuator located, in use, close to the first guide track, and a second actuator located, in use, close to the second guide track, the actuators being arranged to be driven in synchronism and at the same speed by a drive motor to drive the cowl for movement, wherein at least one of the first and second actuators is provided with a load limiter to limit the transmission of loads through that actuator in the event that that actuator is subject to a compressive loading greater than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A lock system for a component of a thrust reverser actuation system (“TRAS”), comprising a lock member translatable between a locked position, in which the lock member prevents movement of the thrust reverser component to deploy the thrust reverser actuation system, and an unlocked position, in which the lock member allows movement of the thrust reverser component to deploy the thrust reverser actuation system. The actuator may further comprise a screw shaft and a nut translatable along the screw shaft and operatively connected to the lock member. Rotational movement of one of the screw shaft and the nut causes the nut to translate along the screw shaft and, in turn, the lock member to move between its locked position and its unlocked position.

Abstract: An actuator operable to drive a thrust reverser in a gas turbine engine, wherein the thrust reverser comprises first and second translatable sleeves. The actuator comprises a first actuating member moveable so as to translate the first sleeve and a second actuating member moveable so as to translate the second sleeve. The actuator further comprises an interlock arrangement operable in a locked mode in which the first actuating member and second actuating member are locked so as to move together and in an unlocked mode in which at least one of the first actuating member and second actuator member is free to move independently of the other. Operation of the actuator to open or close the thrust reverser comprises a first mode wherein the interlock arrangement is in the locked mode and a second mode wherein the interlock arrangement is in the unlocked mode.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a pole-piece structure for a magnetic gear, comprising a plurality of laminate plates, wherein each plate comprises one or more apertures and an aperture in each plate aligns with an aperture in an adjacent plate to form one or more channels extending from a first end of the laminate plates to a second, opposite end of the laminate plates, wherein a resin cast is provided within each channel to hold the plurality of laminate plates together.

Abstract: There is provided an actuator for use in a thrust reverser of an aircraft, comprising a screw shaft and a nut translatable along the shaft between a retracted position and an extended position, a tine component comprising tine fingers formed with projections that are configured to engage formations on the nut when the nut occupies its retracted position to secure the nut against axial movement, and a movable lock member engageable with the tine fingers to restrict radial movement of the tine fingers in a first position, the lock member movable between the first position and a second position in which the lock member does not restrict radial movement of the tine fingers. The lock member is movable between the first position and the second position by means of an electromagnetic actuator.

Abstract: A solenoid comprises first and second coils connected to an electrical power supply circuit. In a first mode of operation the power supply circuit is arranged to provide a current flowing in opposite directions through the respective first and second coils, e.g. to produce a self-heating effect. In a second mode of operation the power supply circuit is arranged to provide a current flowing in the same direction through the respective first and second coils, e.g. to generate a magnetic force. In some embodiments, the power supply circuit includes a bridge rectifier or full wave rectifier connected to a bi-directional current driver.

Abstract: An actuator failure or disconnection detection device for an aircraft leading edge slat comprises a base and a biasing assembly mounted to the base and movable relative thereto. The base and biasing assembly are removably mountable between a fixed structure in the aircraft wing and the slat at an actuator location. The device further comprises an indicator for indicating the amount of movement of the biasing assembly in a direction towards the base when the slat is retracted towards the wing leading edge. The indicator may be a collar slidably mounted on the device.

Abstract: A rotary geared actuator, having an input gear, an output gear, a plurality of pinions) arranged in an annular configuration about a central axis (A), each pinion including an input gear element and an output gear element, the input gear element meshingly engaged with the input gear and the output gear element meshingly engaged with the output gear, a static ring gear arranged radially outwardly of the pinions and meshingly engaged with the input gear elements of the pinions, a first support ring gear arranged radially inwardly of the pinions and meshingly engaged with the input gear element, and a second support ring gear arranged radially inwardly of the pinions and meshingly engaged with the output gear element.

Abstract: A torque limiting device comprises an input shaft, an output shaft and a machined torsion spring having a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end of the torsion spring are coupled to the both the input shaft and the output shaft, whereby torque is transmitted between the input shaft and output shaft via the torsion spring. The couplings between the torsion spring and the input shaft and the output shaft permit limited relative rotation between the input shaft and the output shaft. The device further comprises a jamming mechanism operable in response to relative rotation between the input shaft and output shaft to stop rotation of both the input shaft and the output shaft.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a pole-piece structure for a magnetic gear, comprising a plurality of laminate plates, wherein each plate is a metallic ring having a plurality of regularly spaced substantially solid portions joined by hollow connecting portions 104, wherein each plate is connected to an adjacent plate by a connecting means that is formed from or uses the material of the plates, such that the laminate plates form a mono-structure held together by the material of the plates.

Abstract: A folding wing for an aircraft comprises a main wing portion having an upper surface and a lower surface and a wing tip portion having an upper surface and a lower surface and movable relative to the main wing portion about a folding axis. The wing further comprises a linkage mechanism connecting the wing tip portion to the main wing portion and an actuator coupled to the linkage system. Movement of the actuator causes the wing tip portion to move from a first position in which the wing tip portion extends in substantially the same plane as the main wing portion to a second position in which the wing tip portion is angled relative to the main wing portion.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a ballscrew comprises a seal body. The seal body comprises a helical body portion having a central axis and extending through substantially a single helical turn about the central axis from a first end to a second end axially spaced from the first end. A connecting portion extends generally parallel to the central axis (A) and connects the first and second ends of the helical body portion. A channel is formed in a radially outer surface of the seal body, the channel extending continuously around the helical body portion and the connecting portion. An arcuate scraper seal portion extends inwardly from a radially inner surface of the connecting portion for sealing engagement within a helical groove of the ballscrew.

Abstract: The invention provides a stator for an electric motor comprising a plurality of radially inwardly extending teeth and comprising conductive material incorporated in one or more of the teeth.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump is described comprising a rotor provided for rotation about a longitudinal axis (X-X) within a housing. The pump comprises a plurality of chambers for pumping a fluid that are provided by longitudinally extending recesses in a circumferential outer surface of the rotor. During use the recesses are moved across a circumferential inner surface of the housing, and in so doing, are moved over an inlet port in the housing to draw fluid into the chamber and then over an outlet port in the housing to discharge the fluid. The hydraulic pump further comprises a roller that is mounted in a longitudinally extending pocket of the housing. The roller is positioned after the outlet port in a direction of the rotor's rotation and is arranged to follow the outer surface of the rotor and seal against each recess as it is drawn past the roller, thereby directing fluid from the chamber into the outlet port.

Abstract: A motor drive circuit comprising two or more inverters to provide current to a permanent magnet motor. Each inverter includes a respective switch arm comprising one or more switches for each phase of the motor to be driven. The motor drive circuit includes means for detecting a switch short circuit for any switch within one of the inverters and means for determining the speed of the motor. The motor drive circuit further includes a controller configured to short circuit each switch arm of the inverter containing the switch short circuit if the motor speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, but not if the motor speed does not exceed the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A rotary magnetic damper comprises a first, rotary damper element, a second, static damper element and a rotary input coupled to the rotary damper element. The coupling between the input and the rotary damper element is such that rotation of the rotary input causes the rotary damper element to progressively magnetically engage the static damper element whereby to progressively increase a damping force created by the damper. The rotary damper element may be a magnet or magnets mounted on a carrier which threadingly engages a screw driving element such that as the input rotates the carrier, it and the rotary damper element translate axially along the screw driving element towards the static damper element.