Abstract: A thrust reverser is described that comprises a new type of locking means for locking an actuator in position so that maintenance can be performed on the machine. The locking means comprises a removable locking device for preventing movement of an actuator. The locking means may also function in one configuration as an end cap. An actuator is also described comprising a removable torque limiting device for limiting torque of the actuator.

Abstract: A system for driving a tilt rotor between vertical and horizontal using a variable displacement motor controlled in response to a swash angle of the motor measured in a feedback loop.

Abstract: An apparatus for a thrust reverser actuation system (“TRAS”), the apparatus comprising: an input shaft; a first component located concentrically around the input shaft; a second component located concentrically around the first component; a first ballscrew mechanism between the input shaft and the first component, and configured such that rotational movement of the input shaft causes a translational movement of the first component via the first ballscrew mechanism; and a second ballscrew mechanism between the first component and the second component, and configured such that rotational movement of the first component causes a translational movement of the second component via the second ballscrew mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for a thrust reverser actuation system (“TRAS”), the apparatus comprising: an input shaft; a first component located concentrically around the input shaft; a second component located concentrically around the first component; a first ballscrew mechanism between the input shaft and the first component, and configured such that rotational movement of the input shaft causes a translational movement of the first component via the first ballscrew mechanism; and a second ballscrew mechanism between the first component and the second component, and configured such that rotational movement of the first component causes a translational movement of the second component via the second ballscrew mechanism.

Abstract: A thrust reverser actuation system includes a first cowl actuation system for translating a first cowl of a thrust reverser and a second, separate cowl actuation system for translating a second cowl of the thrust reverser. The system also includes a device operatively connected between the first cowl actuation system and the second cowl actuation system, and configured to transmit drive from one of the first and second cowl actuation systems to the other of the first and second cowl actuation systems in the event of a failure of the other of the first and second cowl actuation systems.

Abstract: An actuator system for controlling a movable surface has a main shaft connected between a power drive unit and the movable surface to transmit a command from the power drive unit to move the movable surface. If a failure in the main shaft is detected a failure control device connects a secondary shaft from the movable surface to the power drive unit e.g. by releasing a solenoid which releases gears so as to permit differential rotations between an outer ring and a sun gear of a planetary gear system, within prescribed limits. When these limits are exceeded, the solenoid brake is de-energised braking the planetary gear outer ring and tying the gears through an epicycle ratio corresponding to the ratio of gears connecting the main and secondary shafts. The gear system acts as a low mass asymmetry brake that allows post-failure operation of the surface control.

Abstract: An apparatus for a thrust reverser actuation system (“TRAS”), the apparatus comprising: an input shaft; a first component located concentrically around the input shaft; a second component located concentrically around the first component; a first ballscrew mechanism between the input shaft and the first component, and configured such that rotational movement of the input shaft causes a translational movement of the first component via the first ballscrew mechanism; and a second ballscrew mechanism between the first component and the second component, and configured such that rotational movement of the first component causes a translational movement of the second component via the second ballscrew mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for a thrust reverser actuation system (“TRAS”), the apparatus comprising: an input shaft; a first component located concentrically around the input shaft; a second component located concentrically around the first component; a first balls crew mechanism between the input shaft and the first component, and configured such that rotational movement of the input shaft causes a translational movement of the first component via the first ballscrew mechanism; and a second ballscrew mechanism between the first component and the second component, and configured such that rotational movement of the first component causes a translational movement of the second component via the second ballscrew mechanism.

Abstract: A thrust reverser is described that comprises a new type of locking means for locking an actuator in position so that maintenance can be performed on the machine. The locking means comprises a removable locking device for preventing movement of an actuator. The locking means may also function in one configuration as an end cap. An actuator is also described comprising a removable torque limiting device for limiting torque of the actuator.

Abstract: A thrust reverser is described that comprises a new type of locking means for locking an actuator in position so that maintenance can be performed on the machine. The locking means comprises a removable locking device for preventing movement of an actuator. The locking means may also function in one configuration as an end cap. An actuator is also described comprising a removable torque limiting device for limiting torque of the actuator.

Abstract: A nacelle for a gas turbine engine, comprising a thrust reverser movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a locking system configured to selectively prevent movement of the thrust reverser from the stowed position, the locking system comprising a locking mechanism and an actuator configured to actuate the locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is positioned aft of a blade-off zone defined across the nacelle and the actuator is positioned fore of, or at least partially within, the blade-off zone.

Abstract: There is provided an actuator for an aircraft thrust reverser, comprising a first member, a second member movable relative to the first member, a third member movable relative to the first member and the second member, and a lock system configured to selectively lock the second member to the third member in a first stage of actuation, and the first member to the second member in a second, separate stage of actuation.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a ball nut and a lock housing arranged radially outwardly of the ball nut and overlapping a proximal end of the ball nut when the ball nut is in a stowed position. The lock housing comprises a sleeve in which is located an aperture, and a locking element is retained within the aperture and can move in a radial direction through the aperture. When the ball nut is in the stowed position, the locking element engages with a locking projection on the ball nut, to retain the ball nut in the stowed position.

Abstract: A system for driving a tilt rotor between vertical and horizontal using a variable displacement motor controlled in response to a swash angle of the motor measured in a feedback loop.

Abstract: An actuator system for controlling a movable surface has a main shaft connected between a power drive unit and the movable surface to transmit a command from the power drive unit to move the movable surface. If a failure in the main shaft is detected a failure control device connects a secondary shaft from the movable surface to the power drive unit e.g. by releasing a solenoid which releases gears so as to permit differential rotations between an outer ring and a sun gear of a planetary gear system, within prescribed limits. When these limits are exceeded, the solenoid brake is de-energised braking the planetary gear outer ring and tying the gears through an epicycle ratio corresponding to the ratio of gears connecting the main and secondary shafts. The gear system acts as a low mass asymmetry brake that allows post-failure operation of the surface control.

Abstract: A thrust reverser actuation system includes a first cowl actuation system for translating a first cowl of a thrust reverser and a second, separate cowl actuation system for translating a second cowl of the thrust reverser. The system also includes a device operatively connected between the first cowl actuation system and the second cowl actuation system, and configured to transmit drive from one of the first and second cowl actuation systems to the other of the first and second cowl actuation systems in the event of a failure of the other of the first and second cowl actuation systems.

Abstract: An actuator comprises a ballscrew and an actuator rod comprising a ballnut, the ballnut disposed about the ballscrew, wherein the ballnut and ballscrew share a longitudinal axis. A plurality of balls are received within a helical passageway defined between the ballscrew and ballnut. The actuator comprises a lubricant housing comprising a pair of opposed axially spaced walls on an actuator-side and a drive-side of the lubricant housing respectively. The actuator rod extends through the actuator-side wall, wherein the axially spaced walls are joined by at least one axially extending wall, the walls together defining an enclosed bore. A portion of the ballscrew, ballnut and actuator rod are disposed within the bore, and the bore is partially filled with a volume of oil lubricant.

Abstract: A thrust reverser is described that comprises a new type of locking means for locking an actuator in position so that maintenance can be performed on the machine. The locking means comprises a removable locking device for preventing movement of an actuator. The locking means may also function in one configuration as an end cap. An actuator is also described comprising a removable torque limiting device for limiting torque of the actuator.

Abstract: There is provided an actuator for an aircraft thrust reverser, comprising a first member, a second member movable relative to the first member, a third member movable relative to the first member and the second member, and a lock system configured to selectively lock the second member to the third member in a first stage of actuation, and the first member to the second member in a second, separate stage of actuation.

Abstract: An apparatus for a thrust reverser actuation system (“TRAS”), the apparatus comprising: an input shaft; a first component located concentrically around the input shaft; a second component located concentrically around the first component; a first balls crew mechanism between the input shaft and the first component, and configured such that rotational movement of the input shaft causes a translational movement of the first component via the first ballscrew mechanism; and a second ballscrew mechanism between the first component and the second component, and configured such that rotational movement of the first component causes a translational movement of the second component via the second ballscrew mechanism.