Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (“EMA”) comprising an actuator drive unit (“ADU”) housing and a ball screw is disclosed. The ball screw and ADU housing may interface to form a multi-row thrust bearing (MRTB). Further, the ball screw may be situated at least partially about the ADU housing, an outer surface of the ADU housing may include a first ADU raceway, and an inner surface of the ball screw may include a second inner ball screw raceway. Either or both raceways may comprise hemispherical structures. Further, the first raceway and the second raceway may interface to form a multi-row thrust bearing (“MRTB”).

Abstract: A sensor wire count reduction system having various features is disclosed. Signals from multiple sensors may be combined together to reduce the number of wires implemented to convey the signals to a remote location. Multiple binary sensor outputs may be represented on a single wire as a multi-level signal, and may be decoded at a remote location.

Abstract: A park brake actuator (“PBA”) may comprise a shaft having a friction hub disposed about the shaft, the friction hub fixed against rotation with respect to the shaft, a permanent magnet array (PMA) disposed circumferentially about the shaft, the PMA comprising a cylindrical structure comprising a Type A magnet adjacent a Type B magnet in an annular arrangement, and a coil disposed circumferentially about the PMA and configured to conduct at least one of a positive current pulse and a negative current pulse.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides devices and methods related to park brake systems and methods. In various embodiments, a park brake system may comprise a motor shaft having a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion, the second diameter portion having a greater diameter than the first diameter portion. A park brake system may further comprise a spring disposed at least partially around a circumference of the motor shaft, a wire coil disposed at least partially around a circumference of a bobbin, a one-way clutch disposed at least partially within the bobbin and coaxial to the motor shaft, an annular magnet disposed coaxial to the motor shaft and distal to at least a portion of the bobbin, and a clutch release mechanism disposed coaxial to the motor shaft and around the first diameter portion.

Abstract: A park brake actuator (“PBA”) may comprise a shaft having a friction hub disposed about the shaft, the friction hub fixed against rotation with respect to the shaft, a permanent magnet array (PMA) disposed circumferentially about the shaft, the PMA comprising a cylindrical structure comprising a Type A magnet adjacent a Type B magnet in an annular arrangement, and a coil disposed circumferentially about the PMA and configured to conduct at least one of a positive current pulse and a negative current pulse.

Abstract: A contactless sensor includes a magnet coupled to a piston that is located within a housing. A sensor capable of detecting the position of the magnet is coupled to the housing. The sensor may send linear position data to a sensor interface for processing.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator including an aircraft parking brake may include a motor shaft, a park brake disk, and a voice coil assembly. The voice coil assembly may include a bobbin configured to translate between an engaged position and a disengaged position. An engagement feature may be coupled to the bobbin. The engagement feature may contact the park brake disk in the engaged position. The engagement feature may be magnetically coupled to a voice coil magnet and washer in the disengaged position.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator (EMA) is disclosed. The EMA may comprise an EMA housing having a distal stop that extends radially inward towards a longitudinal axis of the EMA housing, a hail nut extending axially within the EMA housing, and/or a ball screw extending axially within the ball nut, The ball nut may translate axially in a distal direction in response to a rotation by the ball screw, and/or the ball nut may be halted in the axially distal translation in response to contact with the distal stop. The distal stop may be coupled to the EMA. housing. The distal stop may comprise a continuous annular structure. The EMA may further comprise a seal located radially inward of a portion of the distal stop, which may be in contact with said portion and the ball nut and adapted to prevent debris from entering the EMA.

Abstract: A park brake system for an electric motor actuator is provided. The system may comprise a wrap spring that may rotatably engage the shaft. In this regard, the system may be configured to exert a radial force on a shaft of the electric motor actuator to lock the actuator. Moreover, in various embodiments, the system may be bi-stable.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor is provided. The brushless DC motor comprises a motor housing around an axis, a stator assembly inside the motor housing, a carrier plate fixed relative to the stator assembly, and a Hall effect sensor assembly removably coupled to the carrier plate. A method of making a brushless DC motor is also provided comprising fixing a carrier plate relative to a stator assembly of a brushless DC motor assembly, and fixing a first Hall effect sensor array to the carrier plate.

Abstract: A mechanical linear actuator in an aircraft brake may include a ball nut, a ball screw, and an actuator drive unit housing. The ball screw may rotate to drive the ball nut axially. The ball screw and the actuator drive unit housing may form a series of annular raceways. The ball screw may have a first window corresponding to a first raceway and a second window corresponding to a second raceway. Balls may be inserted into the first raceway through the first window and into the second raceway through the second window.

Abstract: A vented EMA may have a vent that allows gas to pass from into and out of the vented EMA, while preventing liquid from passing into and out of the vented EMA. The vented EMA may have a desiccant material inside the vented EMA that absorbs condensation from within the vented EMA. A vented EMA may also have an air flow path that conducts gas into and out of the vent during operation. As a result, the pressure inside the vented EMA may equalize with the pressure outside the vented EMA, but the deleterious ingress of liquids may be ameliorated.

Abstract: A ballscrew assembly may include a ballnut configured to combat the negative effects of thermal expansion of dissimilar materials used within the ballscrew assembly. Moreover, the ballscrew assembly described herein may have a decreased coefficient of friction as compared with a steel on steel housing and ballnut configuration. A ballscrew assembly may comprise a ballnut made from a first material, a ballnut housing made from a second material, and a sleeve made from a third material. The sleeve may be positioned between the exterior of the ballnut and an interior of the ballnut housing to reduce friction between the exterior surface of the ballnut and an interior surface of the ballnut housing.

Abstract: A park brake systems and methods are disclosed. According to various embodiments, park brake systems comprising a tapered motor shaft having a first diameter and a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter, a voice coil disposed at least partially around a circumference of a bobbin, a first one-way clutch housed at least partially within the bobbin, the first one-way clutch disposed coaxial to the tapered motor shaft, and an annular magnet disposed coaxial to the tapered motor shaft and proximal to the first one-way clutch, wherein, in response to a first voltage applied to the voice coil, the first one-way clutch translates axially in a first direction with respect to the tapered motor shaft and engages with the second diameter are disclosed.

Abstract: A park brake system for an electric motor actuator is provided. The system may comprise a wrap spring that may rotatably engage the shaft. In this regard, the system may be configured to exert a radial force on a shaft of the electric motor actuator to lock the actuator. Moreover, in various embodiments, the system may be bi-stable.

Abstract: Park brake systems comprising a motor shaft coupled to a brake drum, wherein the brake drum comprises a first groove and a second groove, wherein the brake drum is mounted to the motor shaft so as to rotate with the motor shaft, a first belt at least partially disposed in the first groove and about a first pivot linkage, a second belt at least partially disposed in the second groove and about a second pivot linkage, a first actuator piston coupled to an actuator and the first pivot linkage, a second actuator piston coupled to the actuator and the second pivot linkage, and a pivot base coupled to the first pivot linkage and the second pivot linkage are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator including an aircraft parking brake may include a motor shaft, a park brake disk, and a voice coil assembly. The voice coil assembly may include a bobbin configured to translate between an engaged position and a disengaged position. An engagement feature may be coupled to the bobbin. The engagement feature may contact the park brake disk in the engaged position. The engagement feature may be magnetically coupled to a voice coil magnet and washer in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A park brake system for an electric motor actuator is provided. The system may comprise a micro-motor, and one or more gears. The system may be configured to exert a radial force on a shaft of the electric motor actuator to lock the actuator. Moreover, in various embodiments, the system may be bi-stable.

Abstract: Park brake systems comprising a motor shaft coupled to a brake drum, wherein the brake drum comprises a first groove and a second groove, wherein the brake drum is mounted to the motor shaft so as to rotate with the motor shaft, a first belt at least partially disposed in the first groove and about a first pivot linkage, a second belt at least partially disposed in the second groove and about a second pivot linkage, a first actuator piston coupled to an actuator and the first pivot linkage, a second actuator piston coupled to the actuator and the second pivot linkage, and a pivot base coupled to the first pivot linkage and the second pivot linkage are disclosed. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor wire count reduction system having various features is disclosed. Signals from multiple sensors may be combined together to reduce the number of wires implemented to convey the signals to a remote location. Multiple binary sensor outputs may be represented on a single wire as a multi-level signal, and may be decoded at a remote location.