Abstract: An electro-mechanical system including a power supply, at least one energy storage device and at least a boost circuit, in which the power supply is directly connected to an AC power source and the at least one energy storage supplies power to an electro-mechanical device and its controller. The boost circuit transfers excess power not being used at any given time into the energy storage device to provide an increase in available power comes. This increase in available power stabilizes the power delivery and improves the operation of the device. The device can include at least one motor and at least one motor controller and at least one buck circuit. The power supply, the at least one energy storage and the at least one motor controller can be connected in series.

Abstract: The present invention discloses improvements to mechanical and electro-mechanical force simulators for aircraft pilot controllers, and particularly foot-actuated controllers. In particular, the invention replaces conventional foot-actuated, pilot controller systems—namely, those that employ multiple, discrete, motion control subsystems to control the various force simulation and trim functions used in modern aircraft to assist pilot control of a given axis of flight—with a single motion control system. The invention accomplishes this in part by eliminating the force-feel spring used in conventional, federated, foot-actuated, motor-coupled pilot controllers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses improvements to mechanical and electro-mechanical force simulators for aircraft pilot controllers, and particularly foot-actuated controllers. In particular, the invention replaces conventional foot-actuated, pilot controller systems—namely, those that employ multiple, discrete, motion control subsystems to control the various force simulation and trim functions used in modern aircraft to assist pilot control of a given axis of flight—with a single motion control system. The invention accomplishes this in part by eliminating the force-feel spring used in conventional, federated, foot-actuated, motor-coupled pilot controllers.

Abstract: An aircraft electric brake actuator assembly includes an actuator housing, a motor housing, an actuator, an electric motor, and an actuator brake. The actuator housing is configured to be mounted on an aircraft landing gear. The motor housing is coupled to the actuator housing and is removable therefrom. The motor housing is also accessible when the actuator housing is mounted on an aircraft. The electric motor is disposed within the motor housing and is coupled to the actuator. The actuator brake is disposed within the motor housing and is removably coupled to the motor.

Abstract: An actuator includes a ball nut, a ball screw, and a ball screw stop. The ball nut is adapted to receive an input torque and in response rotates and supplies a drive force. The ball screw extends through the ball nut and has a first end and a second end. The ball screw receives the drive force from the ball nut and in response selectively translates between a retract position and a extend position. The ball screw stop is mounted on the ball screw proximate the first end to translate therewith. The ball screw stop engages the ball nut when the ball screw is in the extend position, translates, with compliance, a predetermined distance toward the first end upon engaging the ball nut, and prevents further rotation of the ball screw upon translating the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling aircraft brakes in an aircraft that includes a brake pedal and an electric brake actuator. An aircraft operational state is determined and an application force that is supplied to the brake pedal is determined. When the determined aircraft operational state is a ground-idle state and the determined application force is greater than a set force magnitude, an actuator brake is moved to engage the electric brake actuator and the electric brake actuator is de-energized.

Abstract: An actuator includes an actuator housing, a ball screw, and an axial soft stop assembly. The ball screw extends through the actuator housing and has a first end and a second end. The ball screw is coupled to receive a drive force and is configured, upon receipt of the drive force, to selectively move in a retract direction and an extend direction. The axial soft stop assembly is disposed within the actuator housing. The axial soft stop assembly is configured to be selectively engaged by the ball screw and, upon being engaged thereby, to translate, with compliance, a predetermined distance in the extend direction, and to prevent further movement of the ball screw upon translating the predetermined distance.

Abstract: An actuator includes a ball nut, a ball screw, and a ball screw stop. The ball nut is adapted to receive an input torque and in response rotates and supplies a drive force. The ball screw extends through the ball nut and has a first end and a second end. The ball screw receives the drive force from the ball nut and in response selectively translates between a retract position and a extend position. The ball screw stop is mounted on the ball screw proximate the first end to translate therewith. The ball screw stop engages the ball nut when the ball screw is in the extend position, translates, with compliance, a predetermined distance toward the first end upon engaging the ball nut, and prevents further rotation of the ball screw upon translating the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A human-machine interface includes a user interface, a gimbal assembly, a gimbal interface rod, a force sensor mount, and a spacer. The gimbal assembly is coupled to the user interface. The gimbal interface rod is coupled to and extends from the gimbal assembly. The force sensor mount is coupled to the user interface and to the gimbal assembly, is configured to have a plurality of force sensors coupled thereto, and surrounds a portion of the gimbal interface rod and is spaced apart therefrom to define a circumferential gap. The spacer is disposed between and engages the portion of the gimbal interface rod and the force sensor mount, and is configured to maintain the circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the gimbal interface rod until a predetermined user input force is supplied to the user interface whereupon the force sensor mount engages the gimbal interface rod.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, a device, a fastener, and an anti-rotation clip. The shaft is configured for rotation. The device is mounted on, and surrounds at least a portion of, the shaft, and has first and second protrusions that are formed on one side and are spaced apart to define a tab space. The fastener is rotationally mounted relative to the shaft, and includes a tab slot formed in its outer surface that extends radially inwardly and is disposed radially inwardly of the tab space. The anti-rotation clip includes a main body portion and a head portion that has a first tab portion and a second tab portion. At least a portion the main body portion is disposed between the device and the fastener, the first tab is disposed in the tab space, and the second tab is disposed in the tab slot.

Abstract: An actuator includes a ball nut, a ball screw, and a ball screw stop. The ball nut is adapted to receive an input torque and in response rotates and supplies a drive force. The ball screw extends through the ball nut and has a first end and a second end. The ball screw receives the drive force from the ball nut and in response selectively translates between a retract position and a extend position. The ball screw stop is mounted on the ball screw proximate the first end to translate therewith. The ball screw stop engages the ball nut when the ball screw is in the extend position, translates, with compliance, a predetermined distance toward the first end upon engaging the ball nut, and prevents further rotation of the ball screw upon translating the predetermined distance.

Abstract: An actuator includes an actuator housing, a ball screw, and an axial soft stop assembly. The ball screw extends through the actuator housing and has a first end and a second end. The ball screw is coupled to receive a drive force and is configured, upon receipt of the drive force, to selectively move in a retract direction and an extend direction. The axial soft stop assembly is disposed within the actuator housing. The axial soft stop assembly is configured to be selectively engaged by the ball screw and, upon being engaged thereby, to translate, with compliance, a predetermined distance in the extend direction, and to prevent further movement of the ball screw upon translating the predetermined distance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for operating an aircraft control stick in an active mode and a passive mode. The method comprises subjecting the control stick to an a resilient restoring force in the passive mode, and neutralizing the restoring force in the active mode. A spring assembly is provided for exerting and neutralizing the restoring force, which may be varied between minimum and maximum values.

Abstract: An aircraft brake system electromechanical actuator is provided. The actuator is configured with features that allow the electric motor to be a line replaceable unit. One such feature is a foreign-object-damage shield that inhibits dust, debris, and/or other particulate contaminants from entering the electromechanical actuator during electric motor removal and replacement.

Abstract: An actuator includes a ball nut, a ball screw, and a ball screw stop. The ball nut is adapted to receive an input torque and in response rotates and supplies a drive force. The ball screw extends through the ball nut and has a first end and a second end. The ball screw receives the drive force from the ball nut and in response selectively translates between a retract position and a extend position. The ball screw stop is mounted on the ball screw proximate the first end to translate therewith. The ball screw stop engages the ball nut when the ball screw is in the extend position, translates, with compliance, a predetermined distance toward the first end upon engaging the ball nut, and prevents further rotation of the ball screw upon translating the predetermined distance.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft, a device, a fastener, and an anti-rotation clip. The shaft is configured for rotation. The device is mounted on, and surrounds at least a portion of, the shaft, and has first and second protrusions that are formed on one side and are spaced apart to define a tab space. The fastener is rotationally mounted relative to the shaft, and includes a tab slot formed in its outer surface that extends radially inwardly and is disposed radially inwardly of the tab space. The anti-rotation clip includes a main body portion and a head portion that has a first tab portion and a second tab portion. At least a portion the main body portion is disposed between the device and the fastener, the first tab is disposed in the tab space, and the second tab is disposed in the tab slot.

Abstract: An active user interface system includes a gimbal assembly that is configured as a dual-input/single-output differential mechanism. The differential mechanism implements a speed reduction from the inputs of the differential mechanism to the output of the differential mechanism. Speed reduction enables the maximum drive torque that is supplied to the user interface about one rotational axis to be greater than the maximum drive torque that is supplied to the user interface about another, perpendicular axis.

Abstract: A human-machine interface includes a user interface, a gimbal assembly, a gimbal interface rod, a force sensor mount, and a spacer. The gimbal assembly is coupled to the user interface. The gimbal interface rod is coupled to and extends from the gimbal assembly. The force sensor mount is coupled to the user interface and to the gimbal assembly, is configured to have a plurality of force sensors coupled thereto, and surrounds a portion of the gimbal interface rod and is spaced apart therefrom to define a circumferential gap. The spacer is disposed between and engages the portion of the gimbal interface rod and the force sensor mount, and is configured to maintain the circumferential gap between the force sensor mount and the gimbal interface rod until a predetermined user input force is supplied to the user interface whereupon the force sensor mount engages the gimbal interface rod.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for operating an aircraft control stick in an active mode and a passive mode. The method comprises subjecting the control stick to an a resilient restoring force in the passive mode, and neutralizing the restoring force in the active mode. A spring assembly is provided for exerting and neutralizing the restoring force, which may be varied between minimum and maximum values.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling aircraft brakes in an aircraft that includes a brake pedal and an electric brake actuator. An aircraft operational state is determined and an application force that is supplied to the brake pedal is determined When the determined aircraft operational state is a ground-idle state and the determined application force is greater than a set force magnitude, an actuator brake is moved to engage the electric brake actuator and the electric brake actuator is de-energized.