Patents by Inventor Joseph Thomas Kopecek

Joseph Thomas Kopecek 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).

  • Publication number: 20250115350
    Abstract: An actuator for a control surface is provided. The actuator includes a frame, an electric motor, an epicyclic gear, a power-off brake, a power-on brake, and a unidirectional bearing. A sun gear is operably coupled to an output of the motor. A carrier is couplable to the control surface such that rotation of the carrier in a first direction transitions the control surface toward the deployed position and rotation of the carrier in a second direction transitions the control surface toward the stowed position. The power-off brake couples to the sun gear to ground the sun gear when deenergized. The power-on brake couples to the ring gear to ground the ring gear when energized. When the power-on brake is deenergized, the unidirectional bearing permits the ring gear to rotate in the second direction and prevents the ring gear from rotating in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 12269582
    Abstract: An actuator for a control surface is provided. The actuator includes a frame, an electric motor, an epicyclic gear, a power-off brake, a power-on brake, and a unidirectional bearing. A sun gear is operably coupled to an output of the motor. A carrier is couplable to the control surface such that rotation of the carrier in a first direction transitions the control surface toward the deployed position and rotation of the carrier in a second direction transitions the control surface toward the stowed position. The power-off brake couples to the sun gear to ground the sun gear when deenergized. The power-on brake couples to the ring gear to ground the ring gear when energized. When the power-on brake is deenergized, the unidirectional bearing permits the ring gear to rotate in the second direction and prevents the ring gear from rotating in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 12203428
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a system that includes a flexible structure, a power inverter, a first electromechanical device configured to urge movement of a first portion of the flexible structure based on power received from the power inverter, a second electromechanical device configured to urge movement of a second portion of the flexible structure based on power received from the power inverter, a feedback sensor configured to provide a feedback signal indicative of alignment between the first portion and the second portion, and a controller configured to control operation of at least one of the first electromechanical device and the second electromechanical device based on the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Polley, Dragan Micic, Kamran Eftekhari Shahroudi, Joseph Thomas Kopecek, James Cale
  • Patent number: 12196277
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a rotary lock assembly includes an epicyclic gear assembly having a sun gear assembly, a ring gear assembly, and a planet gear assembly having a collection of planet gears mechanically engaged to the sun gear assembly and the ring gear assembly, and a planet carrier mechanically engaged to the planet gears and configured to be rotated by the planet gears, a lock rotor configured to be rotated by the ring gear assembly, and a rotary output assembly configured to be rotated by the planet carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 12180909
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an actuator apparatus includes an output member configured to actuate between a first positional configuration and a second positional configuration, a source fluid reservoir, a fluid velocity resistor configured to provide a predetermined resistance to fluid flow, a fluid velocity fuse configured to flow fluid flows having a first predetermined range of fluid velocities and to block fluid flows having second predetermined range of fluid velocities, and a fluid actuator assembly configured to urge fluid flow from the source fluid reservoir through the fluid velocity resistor and the fluid velocity fuse based on actuation of the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Kopecek, William Muster
  • Patent number: 12123372
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an engine assembly having a nacelle surrounding an engine, and a thrust reverser coupled to the nacelle and having a thrust-reversing element movable relative to the nacelle between a stowed and deployed position, a first hydraulic actuator configured to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed position and deployed position, the first hydraulic actuator being connected to a fluid source and a return reservoir, and a second hydraulic actuator configured to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed and deployed position, the second hydraulic actuator being connected to the fluid source and the return reservoir, and a control system having an electrohydraulic servo valve operable to selectively route fluid between the fluid source, the second hydraulic actuator, and the return reservoir, and a controller configured to operate the electrohydraulic servo valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: William Ernest Stone, Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Publication number: 20240301842
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an engine assembly includes a nacelle configured to at least partially surround an engine, and a thrust reverser coupled to the nacelle, the thrust reverser having a thrust-reversing element movable relative to the nacelle between a stowed position and a deployed position, a hydraulic actuator operably coupled to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed position and the deployed position, and a fluid control system configured to operate the hydraulic actuator, the fluid control system having an electrohydraulic servo valve operable to selectively route fluid between a pressurized fluid source, the hydraulic actuator, and a fluid return reservoir, and a bypass fluid line providing fluid communication between the hydraulic actuator and the fluid return reservoir independent of the electrohydraulic servo valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Publication number: 20240287948
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an engine assembly having a nacelle surrounding an engine, and a thrust reverser coupled to the nacelle and having a thrust-reversing element movable relative to the nacelle between a stowed and deployed position, a first hydraulic actuator configured to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed position and deployed position, the first hydraulic actuator being connected to a fluid source and a return reservoir, and a second hydraulic actuator configured to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed and deployed position, the second hydraulic actuator being connected to the fluid source and the return reservoir, and a control system having an electrohydraulic servo valve operable to selectively route fluid between the fluid source, the second hydraulic actuator, and the return reservoir, and a controller configured to operate the electrohydraulic servo valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: William Ernest Stone, Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 12065987
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an engine assembly includes a nacelle configured to at least partially surround an engine, and a thrust reverser coupled to the nacelle, the thrust reverser having a thrust-reversing element movable relative to the nacelle between a stowed position and a deployed position, a hydraulic actuator operably coupled to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed position and the deployed position, and a fluid control system configured to operate the hydraulic actuator, the fluid control system having an electrohydraulic servo valve operable to selectively route fluid between a pressurized fluid source, the hydraulic actuator, and a fluid return reservoir, and a bypass fluid line providing fluid communication between the hydraulic actuator and the fluid return reservoir independent of the electrohydraulic servo valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Publication number: 20240183325
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a linear actuator lock apparatus having a housing having an inner surface defining an axial cavity having a first housing portion where the axial cavity has a first lateral size, a second housing portion having a second, larger lateral size, and a face from the first housing portion to the second housing portion, a lock assembly having a lock carrier configured for movement within the cavity between a first position and a position, and a lock finger affixed to and extending away from the lock carrier, where the second finger end is configured to contact the face when extended and fit within the first housing portion when retracted, and a sleeve configured to move between a position in which the lock finger is permitted to extend and a position configured to contact and retract the lock finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Publication number: 20240167432
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an actuator apparatus includes an output member configured to actuate between a first positional configuration and a second positional configuration, a source fluid reservoir, a fluid velocity resistor configured to provide a predetermined resistance to fluid flow, a fluid velocity fuse configured to flow fluid flows having a first predetermined range of fluid velocities and to block fluid flows having second predetermined range of fluid velocities, and a fluid actuator assembly configured to urge fluid flow from the source fluid reservoir through the fluid velocity resistor and the fluid velocity fuse based on actuation of the output member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Kopecek, William Muster
  • Patent number: 11939934
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a thrust reverser tertiary lock apparatus that includes a probe affixed to an aircraft engine frame and having a shaft having a barb at a first end and configurable to a first configuration and a second configuration, and a receiver affixed to a thrust reverser transcowl slider configured to accommodate the barb and having an end wall with an aperture defined therein, the aperture shaped to permit escapement of the barb in the first configuration and prevent escapement of the barb in the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Kopecek, Julian Sweet
  • Publication number: 20240011533
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a rotary lock assembly includes an epicyclic gear assembly having a sun gear assembly, a ring gear assembly, and a planet gear assembly having a collection of planet gears mechanically engaged to the sun gear assembly and the ring gear assembly, and a planet carrier mechanically engaged to the planet gears and configured to be rotated by the planet gears, a lock rotor configured to be rotated by the ring gear assembly, and a rotary output assembly configured to be rotated by the planet carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 11788490
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a linear actuator lock apparatus having a housing having an inner surface defining an axial cavity having a first housing portion where the axial cavity has a first lateral size, a second housing portion having a second, larger lateral size, and a face from the first housing portion to the second housing portion, a lock assembly having a lock carrier configured for movement within the cavity between a first position and a position, and a lock finger affixed to and extending away from the lock carrier, where the second finger end is configured to contact the face when extended and fit within the first housing portion when retracted, and a sleeve configured to move between a position in which the lock finger is permitted to extend and a position configured to contact and retract the lock finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 11746865
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a rotary lock assembly that includes an epicyclic gear assembly that includes a sun gear assembly having a sun gear axial aperture defined therein, a ring gear assembly, and a planet gear assembly mechanically engaged to the sun gear assembly and to the ring gear assembly, a lock motor configured to urge rotation of the sun gear assembly, and a screw lead extending axially through the sun gear axial aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 11732675
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a linear actuator lock apparatus having a housing having an inner surface defining an axial cavity having a first housing portion where the axial cavity has a first lateral size, a second housing portion having a second, larger lateral size, and a face from the first housing portion to the second housing portion, a lock assembly having a lock carrier configured for movement within the cavity between a first position and a position, and a lock finger affixed to and extending away from the lock carrier, where the second finger end is configured to contact the face when extended and fit within the first housing portion when retracted, and a sleeve configured to move between a position in which the lock finger is permitted to extend and a position configured to contact and retract the lock finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 11686273
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an actuator apparatus includes an output member configured to actuate between a first positional configuration and a second positional configuration, a source fluid reservoir, a fluid velocity resistor configured to provide a predetermined resistance to fluid flow, a fluid velocity fuse configured to flow fluid flows having a first predetermined range of fluid velocities and to block fluid flows having second predetermined range of fluid velocities, and a fluid actuator assembly configured to urge fluid flow from the source fluid reservoir through the fluid velocity resistor and the fluid velocity fuse based on actuation of the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Thomas Kopecek, William Muster
  • Patent number: 11674563
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an actuator that includes a worm drive assembly having a worm shaft, and a worm wheel configured as a ring having a radially outer perimeter comprising a first collection of gear teeth extending radially outward from the radially outer perimeter and at least partly engaged with the worm shaft, and a coaxial radially inner perimeter comprising a second collection of gear teeth extending radially inward from the inner perimeter, and an epicyclic gear assembly having a sun gear and a planet gear engaged with the sun gear and the second collection of gear teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Patent number: 11608878
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a rotary lock assembly that includes a first epicyclic gear assembly having a first sun gear assembly, a first ring gear assembly, and a first planet gear assembly mechanically engaged to the first sun gear assembly and the first ring gear assembly, and a second epicyclic gear assembly having a second sun gear assembly configured to be rotated by the first ring gear assembly, a second ring gear assembly, and a second planet gear assembly mechanically engaged to the second sun gear assembly and the second ring gear assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek
  • Publication number: 20230078445
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a rotary lock assembly that includes an epicyclic gear assembly that includes a sun gear assembly having a sun gear axial aperture defined therein, a ring gear assembly, and a planet gear assembly mechanically engaged to the sun gear assembly and to the ring gear assembly, a lock motor configured to urge rotation of the sun gear assembly, and a screw lead extending axially through the sun gear axial aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventor: Joseph Thomas Kopecek