Patents by Inventor Anton Petrou

Anton Petrou 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).

  • Patent number: 9126676
    Abstract: An electromechanical portion of the control stick includes a two-axis gimbal, with each axis including a mechanical gimbal structure supported by rolling element bearings, cam based centering mechanisms, linkages to connect a geared power-drive including a resolver commutated brushless DC motor and compound-planetary gearhead to provide active force feedback, and several electrically independent RVDT position sensors. The gearing architecture uses a fixed-cage, rotating internal gear arrangement on a planetary gearhead, which may be single or multi-stage. The output torque of the gearhead is provided by a feature on the outer housing of the rotating internal ring gear, allowing an axial placement of the entire power-drive in a more central location, reducing the moment load on the gearhead output cage bearings, and facilitating a compact drive arrangement of the gimbal using linkages. Additionally, a common power-drive can be used for both the roll and pitch axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Woodward MPC, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew P. DeCraene, Matthew Kramer, Nathan Thompson, Anton Petrou