Abstract: A generator comprising a generator housing and a generator drive shaft including a power input shaft coupled to a drive member through a coupling arrangement, whereby in use the drive member is coupled to an output shaft of an associated engine. The coupling arrangement is arranged within the generator housing and comprises first and second coupling members and an insulator member interposed between the first and second coupling members. The coupling arrangement is configured such that the input shaft is electrically insulated from the drive member and, hence, from the engine output shaft, in use.

Abstract: A controller for a starter/generator used with an aircraft engine, includes means for monitoring field return current in a generator field winding; means for monitoring generator voltage; and microprocessor control means for adjusting generator field current as a function of the field current and voltage and field return current. The field return current and output voltage monitoring functions allow for open field, field integrity, over voltage, field weakening and torque limiting functions to be realized in an integrated programmable system configuration.

Abstract: A controller for a starter/generator used with an aircraft engine, includes means for monitoring field return current in a generator field winding; means for monitoring generator voltage; and microprocessor control means for adjusting generator field current as a function of the field current and voltage and field return current. The field return current and output voltage monitoring functions allow for open field, field integrity, over voltage, field weakening and torque limiting functions to be realized in an integrated programmable system configuration.

Abstract: An integral cooling air diffuser for a starter/generator of the type having an air inlet and a cooling fan for blowing cooling air from the air inlet into the starter/generator through the diffuser, the diffuser having a number of aerodynamic vanes for efficiently directing air flow into the starter/generator. In one embodiment the vanes are in the general shape of an aerodynamic air foil.

Abstract: A system for actively controlling the charging profile of a battery uses a software-based generator control unit to control the charging voltage. The voltage may be initially reduced following battery discharge to prevent large current inrush transients. The voltage may then be raised above a normal charging level to increase the battery charging rate. The control system provides better control over battery charging prevent overheating of the battery and generator and allows the battery to be recharged more quickly.

Abstract: A bearing failure detector for an electrical generator includes a disc located within the bearing assembly near the location of the main bearings. The disc includes an electrically conductive ring encased in an insulation layer. The ring is exposed along inside diameter of the detector disc adjacent to the periphery of the shaft, but the dimensions of the inside diameter of the ring are slightly greater than the normal internal clearance of the main bearings, so that the shaft does not contact the ring unless the bearings are significantly worn. The detector ring is connected to a resistor with a large resistance which is monitored by a control circuit at all times. When the internal clearance of the main bearings has been enlarged by a predetermined amount, the ring contacts the shaft, changing the resistance monitored by the control circuit. This causes the control circuit to provide an indication that the bearings need replacement.

Abstract: A controller for a starter/generator used with an aircraft engine, includes means for monitoring field return current in a generator field winding; means for monitoring generator voltage; and microprocessor control means for adjusting generator field current as a function of the field current and voltage and field return current. The field return current and output voltage monitoring functions allow for open field, field integrity, over voltage, field weakening and torque limiting functions to be realized in an integrated programmable system configuration.

Abstract: An electric generator of the type that is oil-cooled and generally used in aircraft includes a fluid brake assembly. The fluid brake assembly includes a fluid brake rotor which is generally in the form of a fan or impeller which is connected to the drive shaft of the generator. Under normal conditions with the cooling oil withdrawn from the housing of the generator by the scavenge system, the fluid brake rotor freely turns with the shaft. When the oil scavenge system becomes incapacitated, the generator becomes "flooded" and the fluid brake rotor acts as pump to try to pump the oil, creating a torque load on the drive shaft. This load is preferably greater than the shear strength of the shaft, causing the shaft to shear and disconnecting the generator from the aircraft engine. By shearing the drive shaft, the operation of the main engine is unaffected by the flooding of the generator, and serious failure of the aircraft engine is avoided.

Abstract: Core-type brushes used in dynamoelectric machines, such as electric motors, have cores which are arranged in substantially parallel planes extending at an angle with respect to the direction at which the brushes move toward the commutator as the brushes wear. As the brushes wear, the position of the cores relative to the outer surface of the commutator changes, preventing constant positioning of the cores relative to the commutator surface and reducing or preventing non-uniform commutator wear which occurs when the cores maintain a fixed position with respect to the commutator surface as the brushes wear. This arrangement of the cores eliminates the need to resurface the commutator at brush change, reduces the time required to properly seat the brushes to the commutator and increases commutator and brush life.

Abstract: A fin control actuator for missiles carried on aircraft has a device which locks the fin shaft against aerodynamic loads and prevents the transmission of these loads through the drive train. The fin shaft lock includes a plunger which has a cam having a locking portion for engaging the output shaft and preventing the output shaft from rotating in one direction when the plunger is in the locking position. The cam also has a camming portion for engaging the output shaft and pushing the plunger to the retracted position when the output shaft rotates in the opposite direction. The plunger is urged into the locking position by a spring and is held in the retracted position by a permanent magnet. The fin lock device is reusable and does not consume any power after it is set.

Abstract: A gear train locking device is inserted into an opening in the housing adjacent to the gear to be locked. The device is made in a two-piece assembly to permit the device to be threaded into the opening while maintaining the proper orientation of the engaging slot on the forward end of the device which engages the teeth of the gear. To assist in determining that the proper orientation has been maintained, alignment indicating means, preferably in the form of a notch, are provided in the rearward end of the device. The device allows a gear to be locked without the need of disassembling the actuator or motor in which the gear train is located. With the gear on the input shaft locked, torque can be applied to the output shaft to easily accomplish the tests of gear train performance, minimizing the time and complexity of the tests.

Abstract: A magnetic brake provides braking or locking capability and is remotely controlled by electric power. The magnetic brake comprises a rotatable shaft and a brake disc mounted on the shaft. A non-rotating core housing assembly located around the shaft includes a permanent magnet and a bipolar solenoid. A magnetic armature adjacent to the core housing assembly is capable of movement toward the core housing assembly and toward and into engagement with a brake disc to prevent rotation of the shaft. A spring urges the armature away from the core housing assembly and into engagement with the brake disc. The brake does not use any electric power to maintain the brake in the set mode with the rotating shaft fully locked, or in the released mode with the rotating shaft fully released. The permanent magnet is of sufficient strength to hold the armature against urging of the spring until an opposite polarity is supplied by the solenoid.

Abstract: A stator assembly for a d.c. electric motor/generator has a pair of permanent magnet segments located on the interior surface of the yoke. The magnet segments are held in place by a pair of wedges which are attached to the yoke. The wedges are tapered inwardly and the magnet segments are tapered outwardly to hold the magnet segments in place against the interior surface of the yoke. The tapered magnet segments also reduce cogging torques produced on the armature due to the gradual fall off of the magnetic flux at the tapered side edges of the magnet segments.