Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuation system for a piston-driven fluid pump. The electro-mechanical actuation system includes a plurality of electro-mechanical actuators, and a control system electrically connected to the plurality of electro-mechanical actuators. Each electro-mechanical actuator is configured to operatively couple with a piston of the fluid pump. The control system is configured to determine a target output of fluid to be pumped by the fluid pump, individually control a speed and a phase at which each electro-mechanical actuator actuates the piston, such that the plurality of cylinders collectively pump fluid at an actual output that corresponds to the target output, and in response to detecting an operating condition, individually adjust the speed and/or the phase at which one or more of the electro-mechanical actuators actuates the piston based on the operating condition to thereby cause the actual output of the fluid pump to correspond to an updated target output.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuation system for a piston-driven fluid pump. The electro-mechanical actuation system includes a plurality of electro-mechanical actuators, and a control system electrically connected to the plurality of electro-mechanical actuators. Each electro-mechanical actuator is configured to operatively couple with a piston of the fluid pump. The control system is configured to determine a target output of fluid to be pumped by the fluid pump, individually control a speed and a phase at which each electro-mechanical actuator actuates the piston, such that the plurality of cylinders collectively pump fluid at an actual output that corresponds to the target output, and in response to detecting an operating condition, individually adjust the speed and/or the phase at which one or more of the electro-mechanical actuators actuates the piston based on the operating condition to thereby cause the actual output of the fluid pump to correspond to an updated target output.

Abstract: This invention provides an improvement in a no-back device having a ball screw connected to a variable load of reversible polarity (±L) and having a portion penetrating a housing. The device includes a braking mechanism acting between the housing and the ball screw for producing a force that resists movement of the ball screw in the direction of an “aiding” load, but does not substantially resist movement of the ball screw in the direction of an “opposing” load. The improvement broadly includes: a first spring acting between the housing and the braking mechanism for exerting a first preload force (F1) on the braking mechanism for simulating the application of an external load on the ball screw in one of the directions; whereby the apparent operational integrity of the no-back device may be checked when no external load is applied to the ball screw.

Abstract: This invention provides an improvement in a no-back device having a ball screw connected to a variable load of reversible polarity (±L) and having a portion penetrating a housing. The device includes a braking mechanism acting between the housing and the ball screw for producing a force that resists movement of the ball screw in the direction of an “aiding” load, but does not substantially resist movement of the ball screw in the direction of an “opposing” load. The improvement broadly includes: a first spring acting between the housing and the braking mechanism for exerting a first preload force (F1) on the braking mechanism for simulating the application of an external load on the ball screw in one of the directions; whereby the apparent operational integrity of the no-back device may be checked when no external load is applied to the ball screw.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved standby locking mechanism (20) that is adapted to be used with a ball screw actuator. The actuator has a rotatable screw shaft (21) and has a primary nut (22) mounted on a movable member (23) and threadedly engaging the screw shaft. The standby locking mechanism (20) is also mounted on the member (23) and is operatively arranged to prevent further axial or rotative movement of the screw shaft in the event of a failure of the primary nut. The standby locking mechanism includes a sensing mechanism (30) for sensing a failure of the primary nut, and locking mechanisms (29L, 29R) responsive to the sensing mechanism for selectively locking the screw shaft to the member upon a sensed failure of the primary nut.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved standby locking mechanism (20) that is adapted to be used with a ball screw actuator. The actuator has a rotatable screw shaft (21) and has a primary nut (22) mounted on a movable member (23) and threadedly engaging the screw shaft. The standby locking mechanism (20) is also mounted on the member (23) and is operatively arranged to prevent further axial or rotative movement of the screw shaft in the event of a failure of the primary nut. The standby locking mechanism includes a sensing mechanism (30) for sensing a failure of the primary nut, and locking mechanisms (29L, 29R) responsive to the sensing mechanism for selectively locking the screw shaft to the member upon a sensed failure of the primary nut.