Patents by Inventor David J. Lang

David J. Lang 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: 9651126
    Abstract: A load limiter has a first disk for translating a first torque from an input and a second disk for translating a second torque from an output. Each of the first disk and the second disk has a ramp in which a torque transmitter, such as a ball is disposed. A first conical brake surface and a second conical brake surface disposed on the first disk or the second disk interact if the first torque and/or the second torque cause relative rotation between the first disk and the second disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Lang, James M. Regan
  • Patent number: 9527580
    Abstract: A no-back assembly includes a first disc coupled to a first shaft and arranged radially outward of the first shaft. Also included is a first brake arranged radially outward of the first disc. Further included is a spring adjacent the first brake. Yet further included is a second disc coupled to a second shaft and arranged radially outward of the second shaft. Also included is a second brake arranged radially outward of the second disc. Further included is at least one pin operatively coupling the first brake and the second brake to a housing of the no-back assembly, a gain reduction spring disposed within a recess of the housing, and a piston disposed in contact with the gain reduction spring and a first side of the pin, wherein the gain reduction spring biases the piston against the first side of pin, wherein the pin is biased against the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Lang, Mark D. Miller, James M. Regan
  • Publication number: 20160083080
    Abstract: A no-back assembly includes a first disc coupled to a first shaft and arranged radially outward of the first shaft. Also included is a first brake arranged radially outward of the first disc. Further included is a spring adjacent the first brake. Yet further included is a second disc coupled to a second shaft and arranged radially outward of the second shaft. Also included is a second brake arranged radially outward of the second disc. Further included is at least one pin operatively coupling the first brake and the second brake to a housing of the no-back assembly, a gain reduction spring disposed within a recess of the housing, and a piston disposed in contact with the gain reduction spring and a first side of the pin, wherein the gain reduction spring biases the piston against the first side of pin, wherein the pin is biased against the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: David J. Lang, Mark D. Miller, James M. Regan
  • Patent number: 8978840
    Abstract: An electric fail-safe is operable to move a first ramp between distinct positions. The first ramp is associated with the second ramp. There are balls intermediate the first and second ramps. When the electric fail-safe brake is in an actuated condition, the second ramp forces stationary brake disks to engage rotating brake disks which rotate with a shaft to cause braking of the shaft. There is a keeper associated with the second ramp which abuts a stop surface to limit the amount of torque applied to the rotary and stationary disks after a predetermined amount of braking force has occurred. A brake with a test switch is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Lang, Mark D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8920062
    Abstract: An example release mechanism for an ejection jack includes a locking mechanism disposed about an axis. A pivotable first leg is connected to a pivotable second leg by a crossbar. A blocking pin is rotatably connected to the first leg and the second leg such that the locking mechanism abuts the blocking pin. A first solenoid includes a first rod abutting one of the first leg or the second leg. The first rod extends a first distance perpendicular to the axis and is configured to exert a first force to push the first leg and second leg away from the solenoid. The first leg and second leg are configured to pivot away from the first solenoid such that the blocking pin no longer abuts the locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Sasscer, David J. Lang
  • Patent number: 8840507
    Abstract: An apparatus has a first motor for moving an actuator, a first brake for selectively braking the motor, a second brake that is engaged, the second brake dissipating torque spikes in the system, and a gear attaching the first motor to the actuator to cause the actuator to move and to the second brake whereby the torque spikes overcome stiction in the engaged brake so that the torque spike is dissipated in the engaged brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sunstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Himmelmann, David J. Lang
  • Publication number: 20140138482
    Abstract: An electric fail-safe is operable to move a first ramp between distinct positions. The first ramp is associated with the second ramp. There are balls intermediate the first and second ramps. When the electric fail-safe brake is in an actuated condition, the second ramp forces stationary brake disks to engage rotating brake disks which rotate with a shaft to cause braking of the shaft. There is a keeper associated with the second ramp which abuts a stop surface to limit the amount of torque applied to the rotary and stationary disks after a predetermined amount of braking force has occurred. A brake with a test switch is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Lang, Mark D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8640563
    Abstract: An actuator for a ram air turbine system includes a lock bolt having a multiple circumferentially arranged lateral supports. A piston rod supports multiple up-lock wedges. Multiple rollers are supported by the lateral supports with chamfers on the rollers engaging one another and are configured to radially support the up-lock wedges in a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Lang, Gary Sasscer
  • Patent number: 8511441
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cone brake no-back for use with an actuation system. The actuation system may be an aircraft actuation system, for example. The no-back may include cone brakes capable of preventing undesired displacement of an aircraft surface (such as a flap, a leading edge, or a trailing edge of a wing) in the event that an actuator input becomes disconnected or is otherwise insufficient to oppose the load created by the aircraft surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Lang, James M. Regan, Mark D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8438743
    Abstract: A disclosed sensor assembly for detecting movement and a position of a wing flap includes a sensing device that generates a signal corresponding to a position of the flap. The sensor assembly includes a linkage that is attached to the movable flap for mechanically communicating movement of the flap to the sensing device. The linkage includes a first pivot shaft mounted to the flap that is disposed about a first axis and a second pivot shaft attached to the first pivot shaft for movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory T. Wallen, James M. Regan, David J. Lang, Cory M. Crandall-Seibert, Mark D. Miller, William E. Leden, Andrew N. Baines, Jeffrey Paul Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20130078026
    Abstract: An example release mechanism for an ejection jack includes a locking mechanism disposed about an axis. A pivotable first leg is connected to a pivotable second leg by a crossbar. A blocking pin is rotatably connected to the first leg and the second leg such that the locking mechanism abuts the blocking pin. A first solenoid includes a first rod abutting one of the first leg or the second leg. The first rod extends a first distance perpendicular to the axis and is configured to exert a first force to push the first leg and second leg away from the solenoid. The first leg and second leg are configured to pivot away from the first solenoid such that the blocking pin no longer abuts the locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Gary Sasscer, David J. Lang
  • Patent number: 8393442
    Abstract: An asymmetry brake includes a housing, a shaft, a pilot brake, a primary brake, and a ball ramp assembly. The shaft of the asymmetry brake is rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation. The primary brake is movably connected with the shaft. The pilot brake is configured to selectively engage the housing to generate a triggering torque. The triggering torque is transferred through the ball ramp assembly to the primary brake, which in response engages the housing to generate a braking torque on the shaft. The disposition of the ball ramp assembly between the pilot brake and the primary brake allows the ball ramp assembly to return to an operative non-separated condition when the pilot brake is disengaged from the housing. The return of the ball ramp assembly to the operative non-separated condition allows the primary brake to disengage from the housing which releases the shaft to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Lang, James M. Regan
  • Publication number: 20120304475
    Abstract: A disclosed sensor assembly for detecting movement and a position of a wing flap includes a sensing device that generates a signal corresponding to a position of the flap. The sensor assembly includes a linkage that is attached to the movable flap for mechanically communicating movement of the flap to the sensing device. The linkage includes a first pivot shaft mounted to the flap that is disposed about a first axis and a second pivot shaft attached to the first pivot shaft for movement about a second axis transverse to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Gregory T. Wallen, James M. Regan, David J. Lang, Cory M. Crandall-Seibert, Mark D. Miller, William E. Leden, Andrew N. Baines, Jeffrey Paul Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20120297924
    Abstract: An actuator for a ram air turbine system includes a lock bolt having a multiple circumferentially arranged lateral supports. A piston rod supports multiple up-lock wedges. Multiple rollers are supported by the lateral supports with chamfers on the rollers engaging one another and are configured to radially support the up-lock wedges in a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: David J. LANG, Gary SASSCER
  • Patent number: 8206259
    Abstract: A rotary actuator comprises a rotatable output ring with a generally denticulate inner surface region and an output ring axis of rotation; a pair of stationary rings, each with a generally denticulate inner surface region and a stationary ring axis, each located on a different end of the output ring with the stationary ring axes in general alignment with the output ring axis; a generally cylindrical planet comprising distal outer regions that each have outer surfaces for supporting the planet, a generally denticulate central outer surface region that engages the denticulate inner surface region of the output ring, and generally denticulate intermediate outer surface regions that each engage the denticulate inner surface region of a respective one of the stationary rings, and a planet axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the output ring axis; and a pair of generally cylindrical planet carriers, each having a carrier axis of rotation in general alignment with the output ring axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Lang
  • Publication number: 20120080283
    Abstract: A load limiter has a first disk for translating a first torque from an input and a second disk for translating a second torque from an output. Each of the first disk and the second disk has a ramp in which a torque transmitter, such as a ball is disposed. A first conical brake surface and a second conical brake surface disposed on the first disk or the second disk interact if the first torque and/or the second torque cause relative rotation between the first disk and the second disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: David J. Lang, James M. Regan
  • Patent number: 8127912
    Abstract: A feedback torque limiter device for an actuator having an input shaft, output shaft and gear reduction for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft comprises an output torque sensor, and input torque limiter and a feedback mechanism. The output torque sensor senses actuator output torque downstream from an actuator gear reduction. The input torque limiter grounds additional torque from the input shaft when engaged. The feedback mechanism engages the input torque limiter when the output torque sensed by the output torque sensor reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Lang, James M. Regan
  • Publication number: 20110240421
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cone brake no-back for use with an actuation system. The actuation system may be an aircraft actuation system, for example. The no-back may include cone brakes capable of preventing undesired displacement of an aircraft surface (such as a flap, a leading edge, or a trailing edge of a wing) in the event that an actuator input becomes disconnected or is otherwise insufficient to oppose the load created by the aircraft surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Lang, James M. Regan, Mark D. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110139566
    Abstract: A feedback torque limiter device for an actuator having an input shaft, output shaft and gear reduction for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft comprises an output torque sensor, and input torque limiter and a feedback mechanism. The output torque sensor senses actuator output torque downstream from an actuator gear reduction. The input torque limiter grounds additional torque from the input shaft when engaged. The feedback mechanism engages the input torque limiter when the output torque sensed by the output torque sensor reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Lang, James M. Regan
  • Publication number: 20110118076
    Abstract: A rotary actuator comprises a rotatable output ring with a generally denticulate inner surface region and an output ring axis of rotation; a pair of stationary rings, each with a generally denticulate inner surface region and a stationary ring axis, each located on a different end of the output ring with the stationary ring axes in general alignment with the output ring axis; a generally cylindrical planet comprising distal outer regions that each have outer surfaces for supporting the planet, a generally denticulate central outer surface region that engages the denticulate inner surface region of the output ring, and generally denticulate intermediate outer surface regions that each engage the denticulate inner surface region of a respective one of the stationary rings, and a planet axis of rotation that is generally parallel to the output ring axis; and a pair of generally cylindrical planet carriers, each having a carrier axis of rotation in general alignment with the output ring axis, each carrier support
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Lang