Abstract: A conveyor roller assembly comprising a supporting bracket through which the roller assembly can be fixed in use, a hollow, generally cylindrical roller shell supported for rotation about its longitudinal axis on the bracket, an electrical generator housed within the roller shell and driven thereby by rotation of the shell to produce an electrical output, a brake within the roller shell and operable to brake rotation of the shell relative to the bracket, a speed sensor within the shell for sensing the speed of rotation of the shell relative to the bracket, and, an actuator powered by the electrical output of the generator when the speed sensor detects that the speed of rotation of the shell relative to the bracket exceeds a predetermined value, to effect operation of the brake to brake rotation of the shell.

Abstract: A cargo system for an aircraft includes an elongate endless drive arrangement extending along the path of travel of a load unit, the endless drive arrangement including a carriage movable along the path and a load unit engaging member on the carriage and movable relative thereto between a load unit engagement position and an inoperative position in response to relative movement between first and second elements of the endless drive arrangement.

Abstract: A power drive unit having drive roller elements that transport cargo and a sensor that detects motion of the cargo, e.g., the speed at which the cargo is transported, where the sensor operates substantially independently of the motion of the-drive roller elements. Specifically, the power drive unit comprises a motor, an output shaft driven by a motor, at least one drive roller element fixedly mounted on the output shaft, the drive roller element thereby driven by the motor, a sensor frictionally coupled to the output shaft conditionally permitting relative rotation between the sensor and the output shaft, and a motion detector that detects motion of the sensor. Associated electronics are configured to remove power from the motor driven roller elements where cargo is jammed or parked upon them, thereby increasing the useful lifetimes of the motor and the drive roller elements of the power drive unit.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a motor control system and method that is preferably applied to cargo power drive units. Power is supplied to a motor having one or more windings and a thermocouple that is embedded in the motor windings. The thermocouple provides an electronic signal from which both motor temperature and rate of temperature change are derived. A motor control circuit uses these values to determine if a jam condition has occurred (as represented by improper temperature rise) or whether critical overheating is occurring. If so, the motor control circuit causes a power switch to disconnect power from one or more PDUs in the subject bank of PDUs. Power is temporarily disabled, until a cargo operator releases a joy stick control to a neutral position and then attempts to use it again.

Abstract: An actuator receives an input torque command and rotates an aeronautical surface within a prescribed range of motion. An output shaft is rigidly secured to the aeronautical surface, such that axial rotation of the output shaft results in displacement of the aeronautical surface. A drive motor controls rotation of the output shaft by applying a motive force thereto. A drive circuit controls the drive motor, to thereby control axial rotation of the output shaft, in response to keep input torque command. A torque sensor is operatively coupled to the drive shaft. The torque sensor measures output shaft rotational torque and provides an electronic representation of the output shaft rotational torque to the drive circuit. The drive circuit receives the electronic representation as a torque command feedback signal, and derives a torque error command as the difference between the input torque command and the output shaft rotational torque.

Abstract: A variable power conveyance apparatus for propelling loads under environments where the angle of inclination of a conveyance path may change. For these apparatuses, in particular, those located in aircraft cargo bays, drive units are constructed to drive heavy loads under all conditions, including up a slope. These drive units may be organized into sets for loading pallets into and out of the aircraft and along the left and right storage tracks within fore and aft sections of the aircraft. An inclinometer senses the aircraft's angle of inclination and generates a representative electronic signal. Control logic determines whether to apply, via an SCR circuit, a minimum voltage or a greater variable voltage if the selected set of drive units is called upon to drive the pallets up a slope.

Abstract: A gear arrangement for transmitting torque through an angle and through a plurality of power extraction paths. The arrangement includes a driving shaft, a floating spur gear pinion concentrically mounted on the drive shaft, a pair of concentric and opposed face gears that are in meshing engagement with the pinion, a primary driven shaft mounted to one of the face gears and at least one non-floating spur gear also in meshing engagement with both face gears. The driving shaft is located by a bearing or a flexible coupling at the shaft end remote from the gear box to allow the pinion to float freely. Useful power may be extracted from both face gears and the non-floating spur gear as well as additional spur gears that are placed in meshing engagement with the face gears.

Abstract: A gear arrangement for an offset transmission includes two concentric, counter-rotating face gears in meshing engagement with an engine output shaft, the face gears being connected to respective concentric, vertical counter rotating face gear shafts of unequal length, each shaft ending in a helical spur gear that is in meshing engagement with an output helical face gear. The helical output face gear is connected to the output shaft, thereby completing the offset transmission. The face gear shafts can be coupled together by means of thrust bearings that couple the axial thrusts of one shaft to the other in an opposite direction. The shafts can also be coupled via a preload spring that ensures the torque split between the pinion gears is statically determinant. The gear arrangement can be applied to twin engine designs, with a spur gear train coupling the two engines together via an interconnect shaft.

Abstract: A conveyor roller brake that is preferably carried within the confines of a conveyor roller and includes a friction surface carried by the conveyor roller and a brake shoe that is maintained continuously in biased engagement with the friction surface and is selectively engageable for disengageable with respect to a nonrotatable hub element thereby selectively permitting the brake shoe to rotate freely with the conveyor roller in frictional engagement with the friction surface, or to be arrested in its rotation so that relative rotation of the roller with respect thereto provides continuous roller braking through frictional sliding of the brake shoe in biased engagement with the friction surface.

Abstract: A gear arrangement includes a horizontally inclined rotary shaft having a pinion and two face gears rotating in parallel but axially spaced planes. The two face gears are in meshing engagement with the pinion. Each face gear rotates about a shaft that includes a spur gear. A combining gear is in meshing engagement with both spur gears. Torque from the rotary shaft is equally split between the two face gears, reducing the amount of torque each face gear must transmit. The torque is combined from the two face gears by the combining gear, where the torque may then be used to drive the desired mechanism.

Abstract: A roller bearing includes a slotted cage structure that separates and controls tapered rollers as they roll on the bearing races. The cage is a load-bearing structure that is in sliding contact with the larger diameter axial end surface of the rollers, thereby preventing any sliding contact between the bearing races and the axial ends of the rollers. The point of sliding contact between the cage and the rollers can be selected for minimizing friction. The roller bearing can be provided in either a crossed roller bearing configuration or in a multiple row configuration.

Abstract: A system for conveying heavy loads or pallets that includes a conveyor device and a frictional pivot device for rotating these loads. The pivot device has a normal position below the conveyance plane, out of contact with a load, and is moved towards into frictional engagement with the load so as to form a pivot axis, the load being continually supported by the conveyor device. The conveyor device then drives the load, which is pinned at the pivot axis, such that the load is pivoted. When the desired rotation is achieved, the pivot device is lowered so that the load may be moved away.

Abstract: A guide apparatus adapted to contact cargo loads in load bearing engagement for guiding such cargo loads in movement thereof within a cargo hold or bay, the guide apparatus being pivotally moveable selectively between a stowed position and a deployed position by an actuating structure which is isolated from the cargo loads borne by the guide apparatus when in the deployed position.

Abstract: A stored energy system for opening aircraft doors, especially useful in connection with emergency slide compartment doors. The system includes a mechanical energy door opening mechanism and a mechanical energy door latch mechanism leaving a latch actuator. Both the latch actuator and the door opening mechanism each have resident stored mechanical energy means wound by rotating an input shaft. Discharge of the energy is prevented by restraining a reverse rotation of the input device, thus enabling the mechanical energy means to be wound in only one direction. When the aircraft door is to be opened, the latch actuator delatches the door and subsequently the door opening mechanism employs a pivotably mounted arm to open the door.

Abstract: A cross roller bearing includes a slotted cage structure that separates and controls tapered rollers as they roll on the bearing races. The cage is a load-bearing structure that is in sliding contact with the larger diameter axial end surface of the rollers, thereby preventing any sliding contact between the bearing races and the axial ends of the rollers. The point of sliding contact between the cage and the rollers may be selected for minimizing friction.