Patents by Inventor Andrew John Collins
Andrew John Collins 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: 10450061Abstract: A servo actuator (1) comprises an actuator housing (4); an actuator member (2) located within the actuator housing (4) and at least one spool (8) located in a cavity (6) formed within the actuator housing (4). The housing (4) also comprises a first set of internal ports including an inlet port (P), an outlet port (T) and a pair of control ports (SI, S2), the inlet port (P) being arranged for connection to a first pressurised supply and a second set of internal ports comprising an inlet port (P?), an outlet port (T?) and a pair of control ports (SI?, S2?), the inlet port (P?) being arranged for connection to a second pressurised supply. In use, movement of the spool (8) alters the flow path of fluid through the first and second set of internal ports to control the movement of the actuator member (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: DOMIN FLUID POWER LIMITEDInventor: Andrew John Collins
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Patent number: 10443630Abstract: A method for producing a manifold is disclosed, wherein an additive manufacturing process is used to produce the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: BLAGDON ACTUATION RESEARCH LIMITEDInventor: Andrew John Collins
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Patent number: 10309225Abstract: A rotor blade includes an actuator comprising an electric motor having a rotary drive shaft, a bearing for mounting the rotary drive shaft along an axis extending along the length of the rotor blade, and a lubrication system for lubricating the bearing. The lubrication system includes a sump closer to the tip of the blade than the bearing, and a pump for pumping lubricant from the sump to the bearing.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: MICROTECNICA S.R.L.Inventor: Andrew John Collins
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Publication number: 20180281940Abstract: A servo actuator (1) comprises an actuator housing (4); an actuator member (2) located within the actuator housing (4) and at least one spool (8) located in a cavity (6) formed within the actuator housing (4). The housing (4) also comprises a first set of internal ports including an inlet port (P), an outlet port (T) and a pair of control ports (SI, S2), the inlet port (P) being arranged for connection to a first pressurised supply and a second set of internal ports comprising an inlet port (P?), an outlet port (T?) and a pair of control ports (SI?, S2?), the inlet port (P?) being arranged for connection to a second pressurised supply. In use, movement of the spool (8) alters the flow path of fluid through the first and second set of internal ports to control the movement of the actuator member (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2015Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: DOMIN FLUID POWER LIMITEDInventor: Andrew John COLLINS
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Publication number: 20180202421Abstract: A radial piston pump 101 comprising a rotor 103 is disclosed. The rotor 103 includes a drive shaft 105 arranged to transmit rotary motion to or from the pump 101 and a piston housing 102 including at least one piston chamber 104, the at least one piston chamber 104 being arranged to receive a piston 108. The drive shaft 105 and the piston housing 102 are integrally formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2016Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: DOMIN FLUID POWER LIMITEDInventor: Andrew John COLLINS
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Publication number: 20180022179Abstract: An active suspension system 1 for a vehicle. The suspension system 1 comprises a hydraulic actuator 4 for connection to the vehicle, an accumulator 30 arranged to provide fluid to the actuator 4 and a spool valve 16. The spool valve 16 comprises a spool 18 mounted for movement between a first position in which the flow of fluid from the accumulator 30 to the actuator 4 is prevented and a second position in which fluid can flow from the accumulator 30 to the actuator 4 via the spool 18 thereby causing movement of the actuator 4.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2016Publication date: January 25, 2018Applicant: DOMIN FLUID POWER LIMITEDInventor: Andrew John COLLINS
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Publication number: 20160290368Abstract: A servo valve for use with an actuator. The servo valve comprises a first set of internal ports including a first inlet port, a first outlet port, a first A-control port and a first B-control port and a second set of internal ports including a second inlet port, a second outlet port, a second A-control port and a second B-control port. The valve is arranged and configured such that in use each internal port is in fluid communication with the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2014Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: BLAGDON ACTUATION RESEARCH LIMITEDInventor: Andrew John COLLINS
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Publication number: 20160131165Abstract: A method for producing a manifold is disclosed, wherein an additive manufacturing process is used to produce the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2014Publication date: May 12, 2016Applicant: BLAGDON ACTUATION RESEARCH LIMITEDInventor: Andrew John COLLINS
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Publication number: 20160123355Abstract: A servo valve comprises a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a cylindrical spool. The spool has a surface including a curvilinear groove and is mounted for rotational movement between a first position in which the surface of the spool covers at least one of the fluid outlet and the fluid inlet and a second position in which the groove is aligned with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: BLAGDON ACTUATION RESEARCH LIMITEDInventor: Andrew John COLLINS
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Publication number: 20130272873Abstract: A rotor blade includes an actuator comprising an electric motor having a rotary drive shaft, a bearing for mounting the rotary drive shaft along an axis extending along the length of the rotor blade, and a lubrication system for lubricating the bearing. The lubrication system includes a sump closer to the tip of the blade than the bearing, and a pump for pumping lubricant from the sump to the bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: MICROTECNICA S.R.L.Inventor: Andrew John Collins
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Publication number: 20130186726Abstract: An electromagnetic brake or clutch includes a first face confronting a first face of a rotor disc, the discs being mounted for movement towards and away from the other; and a stator coil energized to urge the first face of the disc away from the first face of the rotor disc. In a first set of rotational positions, magnetic regions of one polarity on the first face of the brake or clutch disc confront magnetic regions of the opposite polarity on the first face of the rotor disc, and, in a second set of rotational positions of the shaft interposed between respective ones of the first set of rotational positions, magnetic regions of one polarity on the first face of the brake or clutch disc confront magnetic regions of the same polarity on the first face of the rotor disc.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: MICROTECNICA S.R.L.Inventor: Andrew John Collins
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Patent number: 8292219Abstract: This disclosure relates to a landing gear system that includes a landing gear strut rotatable between stowed and deployed positions. A lock-stay is connected to the landing gear strut and is movable between locked and unlocked conditions. An unlock actuator is connected to the lock-stay and includes first and second members movable relative to one another. The first member is movable between first and second positions that correspond to the locked and unlocked conditions. A controller is in communication with the unlock actuator and is configured to command the unlock actuator between the first and second positions in response to an input. The second member is permitted to free-drive relative to the first member between the stowed and deployed positions with the lock-stay in the unlocked condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Andrew John Collins
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Publication number: 20120145827Abstract: This disclosure relates to a landing gear system that includes a landing gear strut rotatable between stowed and deployed positions. A lock-stay is connected to the landing gear strut and is movable between locked and unlocked conditions. An unlock actuator is connected to the lock-stay and includes first and second members movable relative to one another. The first member is movable between first and second positions that correspond to the locked and unlocked conditions. A controller is in communication with the unlock actuator and is configured to command the unlock actuator between the first and second positions in response to an input. The second member is permitted to free-drive relative to the first member between the stowed and deployed positions with the lock-stay in the unlocked condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventor: Andrew John Collins
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Patent number: 8123161Abstract: This disclosure relates to a landing gear system that includes a landing gear strut rotatable between stowed and deployed positions. A lock-stay is connected to the landing gear strut and is movable between locked and unlocked conditions. An unlock actuator is connected to the lock-stay and includes first and second members movable relative to one another. The first member is movable between first and second positions that correspond to the locked and unlocked conditions. A controller is in communication with the unlock actuator and is configured to command the unlock actuator between the first and second positions in response to an input. The second member is permitted to free-drive relative to the first member between the stowed and deployed positions with the lock-stay in the unlocked condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Andrew John Collins
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Publication number: 20120037752Abstract: This disclosure relates to a landing gear system that includes a landing gear strut rotatable between stowed and deployed positions. A lock-stay is connected to the landing gear strut and is movable between locked and unlocked conditions. An unlock actuator is connected to the lock-stay and includes first and second members movable relative to one another. The first member is movable between first and second positions that correspond to the locked and unlocked conditions. A controller is in communication with the unlock actuator and is configured to command the unlock actuator between the first and second positions in response to an input. The second member is permitted to free-drive relative to the first member between the stowed and deployed positions with the lock-stay in the unlocked condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2008Publication date: February 16, 2012Inventor: Andrew John Collins
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Patent number: 8070094Abstract: A landing gear system that includes a landing gear strut rotatable between stowed and deployed positions. An actuator is connected to the landing gear strut, and includes main and emergency drives housed within a common body and operable independently from one another. A controller in communication with the actuator is configured to command the actuator between the stowed and deployed positions in response to an input. The controller commands the main drive during a normal operating condition and commands the emergency drive in a failure condition of the main drive. The actuator includes a body supporting emergency and main leadscrews arranged coaxially with one another. Main and emergency motors respectively are coupled to the main and emergency leadscrews. An output rod is supported by and extends from the body. The output rod is threadingly coupled to and is coaxial with the main leadscrew and configured to move axially in response to rotation of the main leadscrew.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Andrew John Collins
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Patent number: 7677868Abstract: A self-lubricated actuator for a rotor blade flap of a helicopter having a housing; a motor having a shaft disposed in a bearing is provided. The actuator further has an output rod and a mechanism operatively associated with the motor and the output rod to transmit movement from the motor to the output rod. The housing includes a lubrication medium capable of substantially immersing the bearing, the motor shaft and the mechanism during operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft CorporationInventors: Zaffir Chaudhry, Andrew John Collins, Ulf J Jonsson, Fanping Sun, Brian E Wake, Michael G O'Callaghan, Jimmy Lin-Min Yeh
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Publication number: 20100012779Abstract: This disclosure relates to a landing gear system that includes a landing gear strut rotatable between stowed and deployed positions. An actuator is connected to the landing gear strut, and includes main and emergency drives housed within a common body and operable independently from one another. A controller in communication with the actuator is configured to command the actuator between the stowed and deployed positions in response to an input. The controller commands the main drive during a normal operating condition and commands the emergency drive in a failure condition of the main drive. The actuator includes a body supporting emergency and main leadscrews arranged coaxially with one another. Main and emergency motors respectively are coupled to the main and emergency leadscrews. An output rod is supported by and extends from the body. The output rod is threadingly coupled to and is coaxial with the main leadscrew and configured to move axially in response to rotation of the main leadscrew.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: January 21, 2010Inventor: Andrew John Collins
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Publication number: 20080138203Abstract: A self-lubricated actuator for a rotor blade flap of a helicopter having a housing; a motor having a shaft disposed in a bearing is provided. The actuator further has an output rod and a mechanism operatively associated with the motor and the output rod to transmit movement from the motor to the output rod. The housing includes a lubrication medium capable of substantially immersing the bearing, the motor shaft and the mechanism during operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: Sikorsky Aircraft CorporationInventors: Andrew John Collins, Zaffir Chaudhry, Ulf J Jonsson, Fanping Sun, Brian E. Wake, Michael G. O'Callaghan, Jimmy Lin-Min Yeh