Patents by Inventor James Acks

James Acks 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: 11834155
    Abstract: A wheel retaining assembly for a landing gear having an axle and an outer wheel bearing, the axle defining an axial direction along an axial centerline, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the wheel retaining assembly includes a first wheel spacer configured to slide over the axle and to abut the outer wheel bearing, the first wheel spacer having an axially outward portion; and a second wheel spacer configured to slide over the axle, the second wheel spacer having an axially inward portion configured to engage the axially outward portion of the first wheel spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Acks, Samuel J. Reiss
  • Patent number: 11814159
    Abstract: A nose-wheel steering system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes an actuator; a strut; and a gearing mechanism operably coupling the actuator to the strut, the gearing mechanism including a steering collar attached to the strut, and idler gear engaged with the actuator and a pinion having a first gear engaged with the idler gear and a second gear engaged with the steering collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Acks, Korey Michael Reber, Ronald Kucera
  • Publication number: 20220306288
    Abstract: A wheel retaining assembly for a landing gear having an axle and an outer wheel bearing, the axle defining an axial direction along an axial centerline, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the wheel retaining assembly includes a first wheel spacer configured to slide over the axle and to abut the outer wheel bearing, the first wheel spacer having an axially outward portion; and a second wheel spacer configured to slide over the axle, the second wheel spacer having an axially inward portion configured to engage the axially outward portion of the first wheel spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Acks, Samuel J. Reiss
  • Publication number: 20210245869
    Abstract: A nose-wheel steering system is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes an actuator; a strut; and a gearing mechanism operably coupling the actuator to the strut, the gearing mechanism including a steering collar attached to the strut, and idler gear engaged with the actuator and a pinion having a first gear engaged with the idler gear and a second gear engaged with the steering collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Acks, Korey Michael Reber, Ronald Kucera
  • Publication number: 20210245867
    Abstract: A landing gear system for an aircraft is disclosed. In various embodiments, the system includes a truss frame pivotally connected to a frame of the aircraft and configured to rotate about an axis; a retraction actuator configured to rotate the truss frame about the axis; a first truss link pivotally connected to the truss frame; a second truss link pivotally connected to the first truss link; a truss locking link pivotally connected to the truss frame and to the second truss link; and an articulation actuator configured to pivot the first truss link with respect to the truss frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventor: James Acks
  • Patent number: 11072420
    Abstract: A steering system may include a gear assembly and a collar. The gear assembly may include a planet carrier, a planet gear, an internal ring gear, and a sun gear. The planet gear may be disposed between the internal ring gear and the sun gear. The gear assembly may provide a mechanical advantage to the steering system, which may result in a greater powered steering range, a shorter rack assembly, and/or increased design space relative to typical steering systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James Acks, Korey Michael Reber
  • Publication number: 20210214073
    Abstract: A steering system may include a gear assembly and a collar. The gear assembly may include a planet carrier, a planet gear, an internal ring gear, and a sun gear. The planet gear may be disposed between the internal ring gear and the sun gear. The gear assembly may provide a mechanical advantage to the steering system, which may result in a greater powered steering range, a shorter rack assembly, and/or increased design space relative to typical steering systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES ACKS, Korey Michael Reber
  • Patent number: 10479487
    Abstract: A locking actuator arrangement may comprise an actuator housing defining a retaining cavity, an actuator piston comprising a piston head and a piston rod extending from the piston head, a receptacle body defining a receiving cavity, wherein the receiving cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the piston rod, and the piston rod is configured to be received by the receiving cavity in response to alignment of at least two coupled links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James Acks, Korey Michael Reber
  • Publication number: 20180201365
    Abstract: A locking actuator arrangement may comprise an actuator housing defining a retaining cavity, an actuator piston comprising a piston head and a piston rod extending from the piston head, a receptacle body defining a receiving cavity, wherein the receiving cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the piston rod, and the piston rod is configured to be received by the receiving cavity in response to alignment of at least two coupled links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: James Acks, Korey Michael Reber
  • Publication number: 20160144952
    Abstract: A side articulating main landing gear assembly for an aircraft is disclosed which includes a wheel axle fitting oriented in a horizontal plane when the landing gear is in an extended condition deployed from a landing gear bay of the aircraft, a tire supported on the wheel axle fitting and oriented in a vertical plane when the landing gear is in the extended condition, a shock absorber adapted to stroke between an extended state and a compressed state upon landing the aircraft, a set of articulating links connected to the wheel axle fitting, the shock absorber and the aircraft, and configured to maintain the tire in a vertical plane as the shock absorber strokes between the extended state and the compressed state, a set of tire planing links connected to the wheel axle fitting and the articulating links, and configured to maintain the wheel axle fitting in a horizontal plane as the shock absorber strokes between the extended state and the compressed state, and a drive crank connected to the shock absorber, the
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Acks, Dennis W. Martin
  • Patent number: 9290265
    Abstract: A landing gear system comprises a bogie beam, a landing gear axle pivotally mounted to the bogie beam, a steering rack, a linear actuator assembly, and a steering control link. The steering rack is secured transversely to the bogie beam and is longitudinally spaced apart from the landing gear axle. The linear actuator assembly is operable to laterally translate the steering rack. The steering control link is longitudinally extendable and has an actuator end secured to the steering rack, and an axle end of the steering control link engaged with the landing gear axle. The steering control link and the landing gear axle are pivotable relative to the bogie beam about a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis W. Martin, James Acks
  • Patent number: 9193446
    Abstract: A bogie beam sensor may include a bracket and a target arm pivotably coupled to the bracket. The bracket may be coupled to a bogie beam. A sensor may be coupled to the bracket, and a target may be coupled to the target arm. A drive link may be coupled to the target arm and a piston. In response to the bogie beam pivoting with respect to the piston, the drive link may cause the target arm to rotate with respect to the bogie beam. The sensor may detect movement of the target on the target arm, and an angular position of the bogie beam may be determined based on the position of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary Holloway, James Acks
  • Patent number: 9051048
    Abstract: A bias steered landing gear system comprises a bogie beam, a first landing gear axle pivotally mounted to the bogie beam, and a steering actuator assembly. The first landing gear axle is pivotable through an axle steering range which includes a maximum inboard steering angle and a maximum outboard steering angle. The steering actuator assembly is operable to apply a steering force to steer the first landing gear axle through the axle steering range between the maximum inboard steering angle and the maximum outboard steering angle. The maximum inboard steering angle is substantially larger than the maximum outboard steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis W. Martin, James Acks
  • Publication number: 20150041585
    Abstract: A bogie beam sensor may include a bracket and a target arm pivotably coupled to the bracket. The bracket may be coupled to a bogie beam. A sensor may be coupled to the bracket, and a target may be coupled to the target arm. A drive link may be coupled to the target arm and a piston. In response to the bogie beam pivoting with respect to the piston, the drive link may cause the target arm to rotate with respect to the bogie beam. The sensor may detect movement of the target on the target arm, and an angular position of the bogie beam may be determined based on the position of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Holloway, James Acks
  • Publication number: 20140239120
    Abstract: A bias steered landing gear system comprises a bogie beam, a first landing gear axle pivotally mounted to the bogie beam, and a steering actuator assembly. The first landing gear axle is pivotable through an axle steering range which includes a maximum inboard steering angle and a maximum outboard steering angle. The steering actuator assembly is operable to apply a steering force to steer the first landing gear axle through the axle steering range between the maximum inboard steering angle and the maximum outboard steering angle. The maximum inboard steering angle is substantially larger than the maximum outboard steering angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis W. Martin, James Acks
  • Publication number: 20140239119
    Abstract: A landing gear system comprises a bogie beam, a landing gear axle pivotally mounted to the bogie beam, a steering rack, a linear actuator assembly, and a steering control link. The steering rack is secured transversely to the bogie beam and is longitudinally spaced apart from the landing gear axle. The linear actuator assembly is operable to laterally translate the steering rack. The steering control link is longitudinally extendable and has an actuator end secured to the steering rack, and an axle end of the steering control link engaged with the landing gear axle. The steering control link and the landing gear axle are pivotable relative to the bogie beam about a common axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis W. Martin, James Acks