Abstract: A valve includes a valve body and a free floating poppet. The valve body includes an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage therebetween. The free floating poppet is disposed in the valve body, and is moveable between at least a closed position, in which the free floating poppet at least substantially restricts fluid from flowing through the fluid flow passage, and an open position, in which fluid is allowed to flow through the fluid flow passage. The free floating poppet includes a base section and a cutback section. The base section has a first cross sectional area. The cutback section has a second cross sectional area that is less than the first cross sectional area.

Abstract: An emergency stop for a brake device for a motor includes a blocking device, a spring, and an inhibiting material. The blocking device is movable between a first position, at which it allows rotation of the drive shaft, and a second position, at which it at least substantially stops rotation of a drive shaft of the motor. The spring is housed at least partially within the housing, and urges the blocking device toward the first position. The inhibiting material at least partially surrounds the blocking device and/or the spring, and has a melting point that is at least substantially known. The inhibiting material at least substantially prevents movement of the blocking device from the first to the second position when a temperature is below the melting point, and allows movement of the blocking device from the first to the second position when the temperature is above the melting point.

Abstract: A user interface fluid linkage system includes first and second user interfaces that are linked by a single, constant volume fluid line. The system includes identically configured, but oppositely mounted hydraulic fluid chambers to link motion between the first and second user interfaces.

Abstract: A torque limiting includes first and second rotational plates, first and second springs, and a slip device. The first rotational plate is coupled to a torque input device. The second rotational plate is coupled to a drive shaft, and is configured to be movable along an axial direction thereof. The first spring has a first free length, and exerts a first spring force against the second rotational plate toward the first rotational plate. The second spring has a second free length, smaller than the first free length, and selectively exerts a second spring force against the second rotational plate toward the first rotational plate. The slip device, disposed at least partially within or between the first and second rotational plates, causes relative motion between the first and second rotational plates when torque overcomes the combined first and second spring forces exerted against the second rotational plate.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for use in coupling a component to an actuator, where the component includes a stem and a drive nut, and the stem is configured to be rotated by the actuator and to move linearly through an opening in the drive nut. In an embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling mechanism, a drive ring, and a carrier, where the coupling mechanism and the carrier each include slots and the drive ring includes projections that correspond with the slots.

Abstract: A non-lubricated component configured to have friction contact with another component and machine systems including the component are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, the non-lubricated component includes an outer surface consisting essentially of rhenium having a purity of at least 99%, by weight. The outer surface of the non-lubricated component is capable of being substantially wear- and gall-resistant when contacted by another component at a stress of above 50 ksi.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a missile component for use in a high temperature environment, where the missile component has a flow passage therethrough and the flow passage has a shape. An apparatus manufactured by the inventive method is provided as well. The method includes the steps of depositing a first metal onto a mandrel having the shape of the flow passage to create a first metal layer, applying an insulating material on to the first metal layer to create an insulating layer, machining a predetermined shape into at least a portion of the insulating layer, and applying a second metal onto the machined insulating layer to create an outer shell layer.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve body and a free floating poppet. The valve body includes an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage therebetween. The free floating poppet is disposed in the valve body, and is moveable between at least a closed position, in which the free floating poppet at least substantially restricts fluid from flowing through the fluid flow passage, and an open position, in which fluid is allowed to flow through the fluid flow passage. The free floating poppet includes a base section and a cutback section. The base section has a first cross sectional area. The cutback section has a second cross sectional area that is less than the first cross sectional area.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling solid propellant burn rate, propellant gas pressure, propellant gas pressure pulse shape, and propellant gas flow rate, rely on pulse width modulation of a control valve duty cycle. A control valve that is movable between a closed position and a full-open position is disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with, a solid propellant gas generator. The solid propellant in the solid propellant gas generator is ignited, to thereby generate propellant gas. The control valve is moved between the closed position and the full-open position at an operating frequency and with a valve duty cycle. The valve duty cycle is the ratio of a time the control valve is in the full-open position to a time it takes the valve to complete one movement cycle at the operating frequency. The valve duty cycle is controlled to attain a desired solid propellant burn rate, propellant gas pressure, propellant gas pressure pulse shape, and/or propellant gas flow rate.

Abstract: An actuator that at least inhibits the deleterious effects of corrosive fluids, such as salt-laden air, does not rely on relatively expensive materials. At least a portion of the actuator housing is sealed from the surrounding salt-laden air, and is in fluid communication with an air reservoir that includes a supply of relatively salt-free, or substantially salt-free, air. The actuator is configured to exchange air between the air reservoir and the actuator housing, thereby at least substantially inhibiting the ingress of salt-laden air into much of the actuator.

Abstract: A valve comprises a valve body, a poppet, and a pin. The valve body includes an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage therebetween. The poppet is disposed in the valve body, and is moveable between a closed position, in which the poppet at least substantially restricts fluid from flowing through the fluid flow passage, and an open position, in which fluid is allowed to flow through the fluid flow passage. The pin is disposed in the valve body, and extends at least partially into the poppet. The pin is configured to guide poppet movement in the valve body between the closed position and the open position. In this configuration, the ratio of the poppet length to diameter can be less than one.

Abstract: A rudder pedal assembly exhibits sufficient ergonomic feel for a pilot, and is relatively small in overall size. The rudder pedal assembly includes a plurality of rails disposed non-parallel to each other within a common plane, and a rudder pedal. The rudder pedal is movably coupled to the plurality of rails and is configured to receive an input force in at least a first direction and a second direction. The rudder pedal is further configured, in response to the input force, to move along a path constrained by the plurality of rails in at least the first direction and the second direction, respectively, and within the common plane.

Abstract: A high temperature valve for controlling gas flow includes an outer vessel, a valve housing, and a valve element. The valve housing is disposed at least partially within, and is at least partially surrounded by, a propellant gas flow passageway that is formed in the outer vessel, and the valve element is disposed within the valve housing. Because the gas flow passageway at least partially surrounds the valve housing, when gas is supplied to the gas flow passageway a compressive force, rather than a tensile force, is exerted on the valve housings.

Abstract: A rudder pedal mechanism is configured with foreign object strike tolerance and/or with an articulating brake. The foreign object strike tolerance is implemented via a force transfer mechanism that is responsive to an input force supplied to the rudder pedal. The force transfer mechanism is configured to supply a transfer force to a rudder position command unit when the input force is supplied in a first direction, and to not supply the transfer force to the rudder position command unit when the input force is supplied in the second direction and exceeds at least a predetermined force magnitude. The articulating brake is implemented via a brake rod assembly that is rotationally coupled to the rudder pedal, and includes a first rod that is rotationally coupled to the rudder pedal, and a second rod that surrounds at least a portion of the first rod.

Abstract: A nozzle for use in a hot gas valve is provided that includes a housing, an insert, and a throat retainer. The housing is constructed of an insulating material and has a flow path formed therein. The flow path has a throat section. The insert is made of material capable of maintaining structural integrity at a temperature up to about 5000° F. and is disposed at least partially in the throat section and has a flow path extending therethrough in fluid communication with the housing flow path. The throat retainer is constructed of material having insulating and ablative properties and is coupled between the housing and the insert and configured to retain the insert within the housing throat section.

Abstract: A relatively small, lightweight electromechanical actuator includes a motor assembly, a harmonic drive, and an interposed gear assembly that functions as an output mechanism. The motor assembly, harmonic drive, and gear assembly are coupled together in an in-line configuration, which reduces the overall size envelope relative to know actuators, and the relative weight and complexity of the gear assembly.

Abstract: An aircraft brake actuation system includes an actuator for selectively moving to a position that corresponds to a commanded brake force. A cap assembly is coupled to the end of the actuator and is configured to engage an aircraft brake element and supply the commanded brake force to one or more aircraft wheels. The cap assembly is constructed of a low thermal conductivity material and has thermal resistance grooves formed therein. The cap assembly is also configured to compensate for certain undesired tangential movements that may occur during an aircraft brake cycle.

Abstract: A fluidic diverter valve for use in flight control systems that includes a non-spherical shuttle element disposed within a cavity formed in the valve housing. In one embodiment, the shuttle element has a disc-shaped main body with first and second sides that are substantially flat and extend substantially parallel to one another, and a substantially symmetrically shaped peripheral section located between the first and second sides.

Abstract: A manual release mechanism for a thrust reverser actuation system electromechanical brake includes a first release plate, a second release plate, at least two balls, and a handle. The first and second release plates each have grooves formed therein that have a cam surface located at a predetermined angle. The release plates face one another such that the grooves in each plate are substantially aligned, and the balls are each positioned in the aligned grooves. The first release plate is configured to rotate, and the second release plate is configured to translate. The handle is coupled to the first release plate to allow manual rotation thereof. In response to rotation of the first release plate, the second release plate will translate and disengage the electromechanical brake.

Abstract: A fluidic diverter valve includes valve element freely disposed within a valve bore. The valve bore has a cross sectional area that varies. As a result, the clearance between the valve element and an inner surface of the valve bore also varies. This variation in cross sectional area, and thus clearance, is such that a force of sufficient magnitude to move the valve element from a seated position is initially applied to the valve element, but the force on the valve element is reduced once it is moved from the seated position. Thus, the impact force upon attaining another seated position is reduced.