Patents Assigned to Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited
  • Control cable quick disconnect
    Patent number: 10294980
    Abstract: A quick connect and disconnect arrangement for a cable comprises a housing for holding the cable. The housing comprises a first section and a second section. One of the first section and the second section comprises a protruding lug having an aperture therein and the other of the first section and the second section comprises a locking system. The locking system comprises a channel, an opening disposed along a portion of the channel and for receiving the lug, and a bolt configured to move within the channel. When, in use, the housing is closed around the cable, the lug is positioned in the opening, the channel is aligned with the aperture and the bolt is configured to move within the channel in order to engage with the aperture and thereby retain the lug in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: James Holding, Scott Haldron, John Harvey
  • Electromechanical actuator damping
    Patent number: 10263491
    Abstract: The invention provides a stator for an electric motor comprising a plurality of teeth separated by slots, and comprising conductive material provided in the slots between two or more of the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Maamar Benarous
  • Monitoring component asymmetry
    Patent number: 10081419
    Abstract: A system for monitoring asymmetry between two components includes a comparator having a first input to receive a signal indicative of a position of a first component and a second input to receive a signal indicative of a position of a second component. The system also includes means for performing an integration of a plurality of output signals from the comparator indicative of the difference exceeding the threshold and means for outputting a command signal to actuate a brake in response to the integrating means determining that the number of times the difference exceeds the threshold is in excess of a given value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Tony Jones, Peter William Bacon
  • Anti-icing systems
    Patent number: 10046859
    Abstract: A bleed air pressure regulation system for an aircraft anti-icing system comprises a first, upstream pressure regulating valve and a second, downstream pressure regulating valve arranged in series in a bleed airflow path. The respective pressure regulating valves each have a regulating pressure chamber in fluid communication with a respective pressure setting valve. Each pressure setting valve is in fluid communication with a bleed air inlet upstream of the first, upstream pressure regulating valve. The first, upstream pressure regulating valve is set to regulate the pressure of the bleed air to a first pressure and the second, downstream pressure regulating valve is set to regulate the pressure of the bleed air to a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Tony Jones
  • Splined couplings
    Patent number: 9989099
    Abstract: A splined coupling comprises a radially inner shaft and a radially outer shaft having a cavity for receiving the inner shaft. First splines are provided on a radially outwardly facing surface of the inner shaft. Second splines are provided on a radially inwardly facing surface of the cavity of the outer shaft. The first splines are slidably engaged with the second splines. At least one biasing element, for example a diaphragm is arranged to act between the radially inner and radially outer shafts for locating the first splines in a desired axial position relative to the second splines and to provide a biasing force resisting the axial movement of the first splines relative to the second splines upon relative axial movement of the inner and outer shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Davies, Mark Hubberstey, David Holman
  • Monitoring solenoid plunger position
    Patent number: 9989383
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a solenoid plunger position, comprising means for storing one or more inductance values for the solenoid indicative of desired positions of the solenoid plunger; means for measuring an actual inductance value of the solenoid; means for comparing the actual inductance value and the stored inductance values and for providing an indication of the actual position of the solenoid plunger based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Jiang Li, Maamar Benarous
  • Pressure switch for thrust reverser control
    Patent number: 9964072
    Abstract: A hydraulically controlled pressure switch, comprising a spool having an elongate body with a first end and a second end, and an intermediate part between the two ends; a target movably connected to the second end of the spool by means of a spring; means for detecting movement of the target and providing an indication of pressure acting on the spool based on the movement of the target; whereby the spool is configured to cause movement of the target against the force of the spring based on the level of pressure acting against the first end, towards the spring, and also the level of pressure at the intermediate part between the two ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Tony Jones
  • Torque limiter
    Patent number: 9945460
    Abstract: A torque limiter comprising: a ramp roller, said ramp roller comprising: an input ramp roller element arranged to be driven by an input torque and having a first ramp surface; an output ramp roller element arranged to drive an output torque shaft and having a second ramp surface; ramp roller balls disposed between the first ramp surface and the second ramp surface; wherein said output ramp roller element is axially and resiliently compressible and wherein an overtorque condition causes axial compression of said output ramp roller element. This arrangement removes all axially sliding friction surfaces from the torque limiter so that the torque bandwidth is reduced, allowing manufacturers to design structures more optimally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen H. Davies
  • Universal joints
    Patent number: 9939026
    Abstract: A universal joint comprises an input shaft comprising at one end thereof a first pair of arms and an output shaft comprising at one end thereof a second pair of arms. Respective opposed first pivot pins are provided on the distal ends of the first pair of arms and aligned along a first axis (P1). Respective opposed second pivot pins are provided on the distal ends of the second pair of opposed arms and aligned along a second axis (P2), the second axis (P2) being perpendicular to the first axis (P1). The joint further comprises a compliant ring extending around the input and output shafts and having first and second pairs of opposed openings for receiving the first and second pivot pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen Davies
  • Torque limitation systems and methods
    Patent number: 9914529
    Abstract: A torque limited drive system comprising: an input shaft; at least one gear unit driven by the input shaft; a torque limiter having a torque limit and being driven by the at least one gear unit; and a torque limited output shaft driven by the torque limiter; wherein the torque limiter is adapted such that when it experiences a torque above its torque limit it applies a brake to said input shaft. The fact that the torque limiter is situated downstream of the gear units combined with the fact that the torque limiter brakes the input shaft upstream of the gear unit allows minimization of component weight within the gear units and within equipment driven by the output shaft due to the removal of the effect of efficiency and drag bandwidths associated with the gear units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen H. Davies
  • Skew sensing arrangement
    Patent number: 9656764
    Abstract: A skew detection system for a high lift system for an aircraft, wherein pairs of sensors 4a, 4b with onboard data processing capabilities provide an onboard determination of relative skew between the sensors of each pair as an indication of skew of a flap of the high lift system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Tony Jones
  • Thrust reverser actuation
    Patent number: 9528469
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Paul Somerfield, Benjamin Thomas Tucker
  • Actuator arrangement
    Patent number: 9523416
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement comprises an epicyclic gear set 4a, 4b including a sun gear 7, at least one planet gear 9 in meshing engagement with the sun gear 7, and a ring gear 3 in meshing engagement with the planet gear 9, the planet gear 9 being carried by a rotatable support 5, wherein one of the sun gear 7 and the support 5 is arranged to be driven by a motor 2 and the other of the sun gear 7 and the support 5 is arranged to drive an actuator 18, and a clutch arrangement 6 operable to resist rotation of the ring gear 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Tim Hudson, Tony Jones, Nicholas Sloane
  • No-back arrangement
    Patent number: 9394980
    Abstract: A no-back arrangement is disclosed for use in applying a braking load to a rotary actuator member, the no-back arrangement comprising a no-back device operable to apply a braking load to the rotary actuator member when the rotary actuator member is subject to a tensile loading, and limit means operable to limit the magnitude of the applied braking load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Tony Jones, Michael Paul Somerfield, Edward George Hill
  • ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR A TRANSLATING VARIABLE AREA FAN NOZZLE
    Publication number: 20160169158
    Abstract: A variable area fan nozzle assembly for a turbofan engine includes a nacelle having an aft edge and a translating thrust reverser sleeve with a trailing edge. The thrust reverser sleeve is movably disposed aft of the nacelle's aft edge and is movable between a forward position and an aft position. A translating fan nozzle having a forward edge is movably disposed behind the trailing edge, and is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. An upstream bypass flow exit is defined between the trailing edge and the forward edge when the fan nozzle is in the deployed position. An extendable actuation system is configured to move the fan nozzle between the stowed position and the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicants: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited, Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Jihad I. Ramlaoui, Geoffrey Pinto, Daniel Shetzer, Daniel M. Amkraut, Andrew Robert Hawksworth, John Harvey, Alan K. Evans, Vikram Chandarana, Roger Moorehouse
  • Actuator with locking arrangement
    Patent number: 9140048
    Abstract: An actuator comprises an actuator output shaft, a rotatable lock formation associated with the output shaft so as to be axially fixed relative thereto, the lock formation defining an entry passage, a lock pocket and an exit passage, a pin positioned for movement relative to the lock formation such that, as the actuator approaches a fully extended position, a part of the pin is received within and passes along the entry passage, and resilient detent means operable such that, once the pin has moved beyond a predetermined position within the entry passage, the resilient detent means prevents return movement of the pin along the entry passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: David John Langford
  • Actuator
    Patent number: 9085360
    Abstract: An actuator comprises a rotatable nut arranged to be driven for rotation by a motor, an axially translatable shaft cooperable with the nut and arranged such that rotation of the nut drives the shaft for axial movement, and a steering rack coupled to the shaft by a coupling arrangement so as to be driven for axial movement by the shaft, wherein the coupling accommodates limited relative lateral movement between the shaft and the steering rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Antony Morgan, John H. Harvey
  • Control system
    Patent number: 9057343
    Abstract: A control system comprises a TRAS actuator 14, a VAFN actuator 40, and a control arrangement 52 operable to control the operation of the TRAS actuator 14 and the VAFN actuator 40, wherein at least one control circuit 54 of the control arrangement 52 is a common control circuit, common to the operation of both the TRAS actuator 14 and the VAFN actuator 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignees: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED, ROHR, INC.
    Inventors: Richard John McKay, Gareth Edward Morris, Paul Hardy, Marc Holme, Nichola Ann Sanderson, Colin Roy Terrey
  • Actuator arrangement
    Patent number: 9016152
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement comprises a rotatable shaft, a nut mounted upon the shaft and translatable along the shaft upon rotation of the shaft relative to the nut, and a lock arrangement operable to lock the shaft and nut against relative rotation, the lock arrangement comprising a lock component mounted upon one of the shaft and the nut for axial movement relative thereto but held against angular movement relative thereto, the lock component being co-operable with an abutment provided on the other of the shaft and the nut, or a component associated therewith, to lock the shaft and nut to one another against relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Tony Jones, John Herbert Harvey, Michael Paul Somerfield
  • Nose-wheel steering actuator
    Patent number: 8986159
    Abstract: An actuator comprises a shaft 12 arranged to be driven for rotation by an electrically powered motor 18, a sleeve 22 encircling at least part of the shaft 12 and carrying a toothed rack formation 26, and a low friction screw coupling 36 between the shaft 12 and the sleeve 22 and arranged such that rotation of the shaft 12 drives the sleeve 22 for axial movement, wherein the low friction screw coupling 36 is adjacent and aligned with the rack formation 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Hawksworth, John H. Harvey