Patents by Inventor Jonathan Darby

Jonathan Darby 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: 11906331
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to measure the output of a rotary actuator unit includes a rotary actuator unit. The unit includes a stationary portion, a rotating portion, and a main rotational axis (L) that runs in an axial direction from a first end of the rotary actuator unit to a second end of the rotary actuator unit. The first end is opposite the second end. The apparatus also includes a linear position sensor comprising a follower, a sensor, and a sensor arm, wherein the follower is attached to the sensor by sensor arm; and wherein the sensor is attached to the stationary portion. The apparatus also includes a follower track attached or formed in, or on, to the rotating portion. The follower track is aligned in the circumferential direction that is perpendicular to axial direction of the main rotational axis (L). The follower is configured to follow the follower track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Jonathan A Darby, Daniel Foster
  • Patent number: 11679862
    Abstract: A manual brake override system includes a gear system, an electric motor in operative communication with the input of the gear system, a holding brake in operative communication with the input of the gear system. The holding brake is configured to prevent movement within the gear system when engaged. A manual handwind is provided in operative communication with the input of the gear system and the manual handwind and holding brake are configured such that the input of the gear system can be driven, with the manual handwind, whilst the holding brake is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Darby
  • Publication number: 20230150652
    Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly for moving a first relatively movable part relative to a second relatively movable part. The assembly includes a rotary actuator having a plurality of circumferential earth members for attachment to one of the first and the second relatively movable parts and a plurality of circumferential output members for attachment to the other of the first and second relatively movable parts. At least the plurality of circumferential earth members or the plurality of circumferential output members is provided with radially outwardly extending locking features around their circumference configured to be received in a mounting sleeve having complementary locking features to engage with the radially outwardly extending locking features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Colin HARRISON, Jonathan DARBY
  • Publication number: 20230133770
    Abstract: A rotary actuator mounting system configured to attach a rotary actuator to and between two relatively moveable parts, the rotary actuator being attached to a first of the two relatively moveable parts and to a second of the relatively moveable parts such that operation of the actuator causes one of the first and second relatively movable parts to rotate relative to the other of the first and second relatively movable parts about an axis of the rotary actuator. The system includes a compliant attachment component connecting the actuator to the first relatively moveable part, the compliant attachment component having a first end attached to the first movable part and a second end attached to the actuator, and wherein at least one of the first and the second end is in the form of a ball bearing arranged to be received in a complementary socket on the actuator and/or the first movable part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventor: Jonathan DARBY
  • Publication number: 20220402464
    Abstract: A brake device for braking rotation of an input shaft includes a selectively operable trigger brake that includes: a static element; a trigger brake shaft mounted for rotational and axial movement relative to the static element and the input shaft; a preloaded torsion spring rotationally coupled to the input shaft but permitting a limited rotational movement between the trigger brake shaft and the input shaft; a roller jamming mechanism operable upon the relative rotation between the trigger brake shaft and the input shaft exceeding a predetermined amount to stop rotation of the input shaft upon operation of the trigger brake; and a brake actuator for selectively moving the trigger brake shaft into and out of engagement with a contact surface of the static element. Engagement of the contact surface of the static element and the trigger brake shaft overcomes the preload of the torsion spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan A. DARBY, Colin R. HARRISON
  • Patent number: 11486457
    Abstract: There is provided an indicator for a torque limiter, comprising one or more resilient members configured to move from an initial, compressed state during normal operation of the torque limiter, to a subsequent, expanded state upon tripping of the torque limiter, to provide a visual indication that the torque limiter has tripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Radoslaw Szynkaruk, Dominik Gunia, Dariusz Kiełbowicz, Jonathan Darby
  • Publication number: 20220252108
    Abstract: A thrust bearing seal for radially sealing a gap between a first component and a second component. The seal includes an external sealing cap that extends circumferentially around an outer circumferential surface of at least a section of said first component and a projection that extends radially inwardly from said external sealing cap and into said gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventor: Jonathan DARBY
  • Publication number: 20220228647
    Abstract: A rotary geared actuator RGA includes an actuator body that has a gear or gears and means configured to rotate said gear or gears about a first central longitudinal axis X?. The RGA also includes a drive transmission shaft extending along a second central longitudinal axis X?, means for rotating said drive transmission shaft about said central longitudinal axis X?, and means for translating said rotation of said drive transmission shaft to said gears so as to cause rotation of said gears about said first central longitudinal axis X?. The second central longitudinal axis X? of said drive transmission shaft is laterally offset from said first central longitudinal axis X?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Colin R. HARRISON, Jonathan A. DARBY
  • Publication number: 20210254999
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to measure the output of a rotary actuator unit includes a rotary actuator unit. The unit includes a stationary portion, a rotating portion, and a main rotational axis (L) that runs in an axial direction from a first end of the rotary actuator unit to a second end of the rotary actuator unit. The first end is opposite the second end. The apparatus also includes a linear position sensor comprising a follower, a sensor, and a sensor arm, wherein the follower is attached to the sensor by sensor arm; and wherein the sensor is attached to the stationary portion. The apparatus also includes a follower track attached or formed in, or on, to the rotating portion. The follower track is aligned in the circumferential direction that is perpendicular to axial direction of the main rotational axis (L). The follower is configured to follow the follower track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan A. DARBY, Daniel FOSTER
  • Publication number: 20210245863
    Abstract: A manual brake override system includes a gear system, an electric motor in operative communication with the input of the gear system, a holding brake in operative communication with the input of the gear system. The holding brake is configured to prevent movement within the gear system when engaged. A manual handwind is provided in operative communication with the input of the gear system and the manual handwind and holding brake are configured such that the input of the gear system can be driven, with the manual handwind, whilst the holding brake is engaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Jonathan A. DARBY
  • Patent number: 10865846
    Abstract: A disc spring assembly comprises a disc spring support having a radially outer surface and a plurality of annular disc springs arranged in a stack over the radially outer surface of the disc spring support. Each annular disc spring comprises a substantially frusto-conical or dished shape and has a radially inner edge region mounted on the radially outer surface of the disc spring support and a radially outer edge region. At least one separator disc is arranged between two axially adjacent disc springs and has a radially outer portion having opposed axially facing surfaces for receiving the radially outer edge regions of the two axially adjacent disc springs. The radially outer portion of the separator disc have at least one drainage passage for allowing drainage of a liquid from a cavity between the disc springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Jonathan Darby
  • Publication number: 20190293141
    Abstract: A disc spring assembly comprises a disc spring support having a radially outer surface and a plurality of annular disc springs arranged in a stack over the radially outer surface of the disc spring support. Each annular disc spring comprises a substantially frusto-conical or dished shape and has a radially inner edge region mounted on the radially outer surface of the disc spring support and a radially outer edge region. At least one separator disc is arranged between two axially adjacent disc springs and has a radially outer portion having opposed axially facing surfaces for receiving the radially outer edge regions of the two axially adjacent disc springs. The radially outer portion of the separator disc have at least one drainage passage for allowing drainage of a liquid from a cavity between the disc springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventor: Jonathan Darby
  • Publication number: 20190003543
    Abstract: There is provided an indicator for a torque limiter, comprising one or more resilient members configured to move from an initial, compressed state during normal operation of the torque limiter, to a subsequent, expanded state upon tripping of the torque limiter, to provide a visual indication that the torque limiter has tripped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Radoslaw SZYNKARUK, Dominik GUNIA, Dariusz KIELBOWICZ, Jonathan DARBY
  • Publication number: 20060137596
    Abstract: An indicator device for use in indicating whether or not a no-back device is operable, the indicator device comprising an indicator member 42 moveable between a first position and a second position, a biassing arrangement 56 being provided to urge the indicator member 42 towards its first position, and a latch arrangement 46 being provided to allow the indicator member 42 to be held, against the biassing load of the biassing arrangement 56, in its second position, the indicator member 42 being adapted such that, in use of the associated no-back device, movement of the pawl 30 of the no-back device causes the indicator member 42 to be moved out of its second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventor: Jonathan Darby