Patents by Inventor Aaron M. Klap
Aaron M. Klap has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10890237Abstract: An actuator includes a drive assembly, a ball screw, and a ball nut. The ball nut may include a first nut member, a second nut member; and first arm extending from the first nut member. The first arm may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may extend radially outward from the first nut member. The second portion may extend substantially axially from the first portion such that at least some of the second portion is disposed radially outward of the second nut member. A second arm may extend from the second nut member, and the second arm may include a first portion and a second portion. In embodiments, at least part of the second portion of the first arm is disposed radially outward of at least a part of the second portion of the second arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Sorin Gavriliuc, Aaron M. Klap, Gerald R. Swedenberg
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Patent number: 10837531Abstract: An actuator includes a housing member configured for connection with a first component, a drive screw connected to the housing member, a rod disposed at least partially in the drive screw and at least partially in the housing member, a retaining nut connected to the rod, a mounting member configured for connection with the first component, and a drive nut engaged with the drive screw and configured for connection with a second component. If the drive screw mechanically disconnects or is fractured, the rod may be configured to translate to engage one or more friction surfaces to restrict back driving of the drive screw.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Tyler Q. Curtis, Aaron M. Klap
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Publication number: 20190120349Abstract: An actuator includes a housing member configured for connection with a first component, a drive screw connected to the housing member, a rod disposed at least partially in the drive screw and at least partially in the housing member, a retaining nut connected to the rod, a mounting member configured for connection with the first component, and a drive nut engaged with the drive screw and configured for connection with a second component. If the drive screw mechanically disconnects or is fractured, the rod may be configured to translate to engage one or more friction surfaces to restrict back driving of the drive screw.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Tyler Q. Curtis, Aaron M. Klap
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Publication number: 20190101197Abstract: An actuator includes a drive assembly, a ball screw, and a ball nut. The ball nut may include a first nut member, a second nut member; and an arm extending from the first nut member. The arm may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may extend radially outward from the first nut member. The second portion may extend substantially axially from the first portion such that at least some of the second portion is disposed radially outward of the second nut member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2018Publication date: April 4, 2019Inventors: Sorin Gavriliuc, Aaron M. Klap, Gerald R. Swedenberg
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Patent number: 8393568Abstract: A roller clutch assembly for use in an actuator is provided that includes a roller cage and at least one roller. A lubricating medium at least partially surrounds the roller cage and the roller. The roller cage includes at least one wiper configured to move the lubricating medium toward its functional location adjacent the rollers. An aircraft actuator for controlling movement of an aircraft flight control surface is also provided that includes a ball nut and a ball screw operatively connected to the flight control surface. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connected to the ball nut and substantially prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw. A roller clutch assembly according to the present invention is positioned between the ball nut and the one-way roller clutch.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: William A. Maresko, Donald R. Cavalier, Aaron M. Klap
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Patent number: 8118254Abstract: A flap actuator is provided for controlling movement of a flap on a wing of an aircraft. The flap actuator includes a housing having a leading end and a trailing end. A ball nut is rotatably supported in the housing. A motor has a rotatable drive shaft that is rotatable in first and second opposite directions. A gear assembly translates rotation of the drive shaft to the ball nut. A ball screw extends along a longitudinal axis and has a terminal end operatively connectable to the flap. The ball screw is movable between a first retracted in response to rotation of the ball nut in a first direction and a second extended position in response to rotation of the ball nut in a second direction. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connectable to the ball nut. The roller clutch engages the housing and prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw by the flap.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Don R. Cavalier, Aaron M. Klap
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Publication number: 20120012697Abstract: A flap actuator is provided for controlling movement of a flap on a wing of an aircraft. The flap actuator includes a housing having a leading end and a trailing end. A ball nut is rotatably supported in the housing. A motor has a rotatable drive shaft that is rotatable in first and second opposite directions. A gear assembly translates rotation of the drive shaft to the ball nut. A ball screw extends along a longitudinal axis and has a terminal end operatively connectable to the flap. The ball screw is movable between a first retracted in response to rotation of the ball nut in a first direction and a second extended position in response to rotation of the ball nut in a second direction. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connectable to the ball nut. The roller clutch engages the housing and prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw by the flap.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventors: Don R. Cavalier, Aaron M. Klap
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Patent number: 7954756Abstract: A flap actuator is provided for controlling movement of a flap on a wing of an aircraft. The flap actuator includes a housing having a leading end and a trailing end. A ball nut is rotatably supported in the housing. A motor has a rotatable drive shaft that is rotatable in first and second opposite directions. A gear assembly translates rotation of the drive shaft to the ball nut. A ball screw extends along a longitudinal axis and has a terminal end operatively connectable to the flap. The ball screw is movable between a first retracted in response to rotation of the ball nut in a first direction and a second extended position in response to rotation of the ball nut in a second direction. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connectable to the ball nut. The roller clutch engages the housing and prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw by the flap.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Don R. Cavalier, Aaron M. Klap
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Publication number: 20110108664Abstract: A flap actuator is provided for controlling movement of a flap on a wing of an aircraft. The flap actuator includes a housing having a leading end and a trailing end. A ball nut is rotatably supported in the housing. A motor has a rotatable drive shaft that is rotatable in first and second opposite directions. A gear assembly translates rotation of the drive shaft to the ball nut. A ball screw extends along a longitudinal axis and has a terminal end operatively connectable to the flap. The ball screw is movable between a first retracted in response to rotation of the ball nut in a first direction and a second extended position in response to rotation of the ball nut in a second direction. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connectable to the ball nut. The roller clutch engages the housing and prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw by the flap.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Don R. Cavalier, Aaron M. Klap
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Publication number: 20110006154Abstract: A roller clutch assembly for use in an actuator is provided that includes a roller cage and at least one roller. A lubricating medium at least partially surrounds the roller cage and the roller. The roller cage includes at least one wiper configured to move the lubricating medium toward its functional location adjacent the rollers. An aircraft actuator for controlling movement of an aircraft flight control surface is also provided that includes a ball nut and a ball screw operatively connected to the flight control surface. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connected to the ball nut and substantially prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw. A roller clutch assembly according to the present invention is positioned between the ball nut and the one-way roller clutch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventors: William A. Maresko, Donald R. Cavalier, Aaron M. Klap
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Patent number: 7690597Abstract: A flap actuator is provided for controlling movement of a flap on a wing of an aircraft. The flap actuator includes a housing having a leading end and a trailing end. A ball nut is rotatably supported in the housing. A motor has a rotatable drive shaft that is rotatable in first and second opposite directions. A gear assembly translates rotation of the drive shaft to the ball nut. A ball screw extends along a longitudinal axis and has a terminal end operatively connectable to the flap. The ball screw is movable between a first retracted in response to rotation of the ball nut in a first direction and a second extended position in response to rotation of the ball nut in a second direction. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connectable to the ball nut. The roller clutch engages the housing and prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw by the flap.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Don R. Cavalier, Aaron M. Klap
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Publication number: 20100001125Abstract: A flap actuator is provided for controlling movement of a flap on a wing of an aircraft. The flap actuator includes a housing having a leading end and a trailing end. A ball nut is rotatably supported in the housing. A motor has a rotatable drive shaft that is rotatable in first and second opposite directions. A gear assembly translates rotation of the drive shaft to the ball nut. A ball screw extends along a longitudinal axis and has a terminal end operatively connectable to the flap. The ball screw is movable between a first retracted in response to rotation of the ball nut in a first direction and a second extended position in response to rotation of the ball nut in a second direction. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connectable to the ball nut. The roller clutch engages the housing and prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw by the flap.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2006Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventors: Don R. Cavalier, Aaron M. Klap