Abstract: Embodiments of an outflow valve are provided for use in conjunction with an actuator. In one embodiment, the outflow valve includes a frame and a first door rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to be moved by the actuator between an open position and a closed position. The first door includes: (i) a main body, (ii) a bellmouth fixedly coupled to the main body, and (iii) a plurality of longitudinally-spaced slots formed through the bellmouth and increasing the flexibility thereof.

Abstract: A single valve door thrust recovery outflow valve is provided that does not rely on a relatively large and expensive actuator to move it, and does not create unwanted drag during aircraft cruise operations. The valve includes a valve frame, a valve door, and an aerodynamic flap. The valve door is rotationally coupled to the valve frame, is adapted to receive a drive torque, and is configured, upon receipt of the drive torque, to rotate between a closed position, a full-open position, and a plurality of partial-open positions between the closed position and the full-open position. The aerodynamic flap is coupled to the valve door. When the valve door is in the closed position and in numerous partial-open positions, the aerodynamic flap makes the thrust recovery outflow valve aerodynamically clean.

Abstract: Embodiments of a valve actuator are provided for adjusting the position of a main valve element in relation to the pressure of a fluid supplied by a supply duct. The valve actuator includes a housing, a control pressure valve disposed in the housing, and a piston slidably disposed in the housing and mechanically coupled to the main valve element. The housing has a control pressure chamber therein, which is configured to be fluidly coupled to the supply duct. The control pressure valve is configured to substantially impede fluid flow into the control pressure chamber until the fluid pressure within the supply duct surpasses a minimum actuation pressure. The piston normally resides in a first position and is configured to move toward a second position as the pressure within the control pressure chamber increases.

Abstract: An outflow valve is provided for use in conjunction with an actuator. In one embodiment, the outflow valve includes a frame and a first door rotatably coupled to the frame. The outflow valve is configured to be moved by the actuator between an open position and a closed position. The first door includes: (i) a main body having a sealing edge, and (ii) a J-shaped bellmouth fixedly coupled to the main body proximate the sealing edge. The J-shaped bellmouth is configured to condition fluid flow through the outflow valve when the first door is in the open position.

Abstract: A split flapper check valve includes one or more additional bushing/bearing surface areas for controlling check valve flapper position along the axis of the hinge pin. This is accomplished by adding one or more grounded bushings between the flappers. The one or more grounded bushings is/are non-rotationally coupled to the hinge pin, and thus grounded to the check valve housing, so that the flappers can bear against this additional surface. The additional bearing area has the effect of increasing the axial bearing surface area according to the number of additional ground lugs that are used, without increasing the diameter of the flapper lugs.

Abstract: A single valve door thrust recovery outflow valve is provided that does not rely on a relatively large and expensive actuator to move it, and does not create unwanted drag during aircraft cruise operations. The valve includes a valve frame, a valve door, and an aerodynamic flap. The valve door is rotationally coupled to the valve frame, is adapted to receive a drive torque, and is configured, upon receipt of the drive torque, to rotate between a closed position, a full-open position, and a plurality of partial-open positions between the closed position and the full-open position. The aerodynamic flap is coupled to the valve door. When the valve door is in the closed position and in numerous partial-open positions, the aerodynamic flap makes the thrust recovery outflow valve aerodynamically clean.

Abstract: Embodiments of an outflow valve are provided for use in conjunction with an actuator. In one embodiment, the outflow valve includes a frame and a first door rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to be moved by the actuator between an open position and a closed position. The first door includes: (i) a main body, (ii) a bellmouth fixedly coupled to the main body, and (iii) a plurality of longitudinally-spaced slots formed through the bellmouth and increasing the flexibility thereof.

Abstract: A human-machine interface assembly includes a user interface and a passive force feedback mechanism. The user interface is configured, upon receipt of an input force that exceeds a null breakout force, to move from a null position to a first control position and, upon receipt of an input force that exceeds a soft stop force, to move beyond the first control position. The passive force feedback mechanism is coupled to the user interface and is configured to supply the null breakout force to the user interface when the user interface is in the null position, and supply the soft stop force to the user interface when the user interface is in the first control position. The soft stop force exceeds the null breakout force and is not supplied to the user interface unless the user interface is in the first control position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for biasing a shaft toward, and releasably securing it in, a predetermined position. The apparatus comprises a magnetic assembly coupled to the shaft for releasably securing the shaft in a predetermined position, a first member coupled to and extending from the shaft for rotating the shaft from the predetermined position, and a spring assembly coupled to the shaft for securing the shaft in the predetermined position.

Abstract: An aircraft cabin pressure control system outflow valve includes a frame, a valve element, and a position sensor. The frame is configured to be mounted on an aircraft exterior skin. The valve element is rotationally coupled to the frame, and is coupled to receive an actuation drive force. The valve element is responsive to the actuation drive force to rotate to a position between a closed position and a plurality of open positions. The position sensor is coupled to the frame and is configured to directly sense rotation of the valve element and supply a position signal representative of valve element position.

Abstract: An offset attachment boss for ribbed structure and aircraft components. The ribbed structure including a first plurality of rib members and a second plurality of rib members configured to define a plurality of intersections. At least one offset attachment boss is formed at an intersection of at least one of the first plurality of rib members and at least one of the second plurality of rib members. An anchoring bore is formed in a central aspect of the at least one offset attachment boss and configured to receive a fastener.

Abstract: An outflow valve is provided for use in conjunction with an actuator. In one embodiment, the outflow valve includes a frame and a first door rotatably coupled to the frame. The outflow valve is configured to be moved by the actuator between an open position and a closed position. The first door includes: (i) a main body having a sealing edge, and (ii) a J-shaped bellmouth fixedly coupled to the main body proximate the sealing edge. The J-shaped bellmouth is configured to condition fluid flow through the outflow valve when the first door is in the open position.

Abstract: A valve seal for use with a valve having a valve element including a plurality of radiused corners. The valve element is rotatably mounted within a frame disposed in a flowbody. The valve seal including a plurality of curved portions in cooperative alignment with the radiused corners of the valve element. The valve seal being partially disposed within a mounting groove formed in an edge surface about a substantial portion of the valve element. A plurality of flexure joints are formed in the seal member and in spaced relation from the curved portions. The plurality of flexure joints providing spring loading of the seal relative to the frame when the valve element is in a closed position.

Abstract: A bonding means for electrically coupling a first component and a second component at an interface. The bonding means including at least one electrically conductive bonding puck positioned between the first component and the second component. The bonding puck being disposed within a recess formed in at least one of the first component and the second component. The at least one electrically conductive bonding puck providing electrical bonding between the first component and the second component and establishing electrical continuity therebetween.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided that includes a flowbody, a valve element movably disposed within the flowbody, and a flat beam spring-energized seal mechanism. The flat beam spring-energized seal mechanism includes a wiper seal carried by one of the flowbody and the valve element and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The wiper seal includes a wave contour defining at least one seal wave. A flat beam spring is disposed in alignment with the at least one seal wave and configured to move the wiper seal toward the extended position when a force is exerted upon it by the at least one seal wave.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided that includes a flowbody, a valve element movably disposed within the flowbody, and a magnetically-energized seal mechanism. The magnetically-energized seal mechanism includes a wiper seal carried by one of the flowbody and the valve element and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A first magnetic element is fixedly coupled to the wiper seal, and a second magnetic element is fixedly coupled to one of the flowbody and the valve element. The second magnetic element magnetically repels the first magnetic element to bias the wiper seal toward the extended position.

Abstract: Embodiments of a valve actuator are provided for adjusting the position of a main valve element in relation to the pressure of a fluid supplied by a supply duct. The valve actuator includes a housing, a control pressure valve disposed in the housing, and a piston slidably disposed in the housing and mechanically coupled to the main valve element. The housing has a control pressure chamber therein, which is configured to be fluidly coupled to the supply duct. The control pressure valve is configured to substantially impede fluid flow into the control pressure chamber until the fluid pressure within the supply duct surpasses a minimum actuation pressure. The piston normally resides in a first position and is configured to move toward a second position as the pressure within the control pressure chamber increases.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a servo poppet valve is provided that includes a valve housing having a flow passage therethrough, a poppet valve element disposed in the flow passage, and a first spring washer disposed between the valve housing and the poppet valve element. The poppet valve element is movable between an open position and a closed position, and the first spring washer biases the poppet valve element toward the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for biasing a shaft toward, and releasably securing it in, a predetermined position. The apparatus comprises a magnetic assembly coupled to the shaft for releasably securing the shaft in a predetermined position, a first member coupled to and extending from the shaft for rotating the shaft from the predetermined position, and a spring assembly coupled to the shaft for securing the shaft in the predetermined position.

Abstract: A human-machine interface assembly includes a user interface, a first null breakout force mechanism, and a second null breakout force mechanism. The first null breakout force mechanism is coupled to the user interface and is configured to supply the null breakout force to the user interface at a first force magnitude when the user interface is in the null position. The second null break out force mechanism is adapted to receive an engagement signal and is operable, in response to the engagement signal, to engage the user interface and supply the null breakout force to the user interface at a second force magnitude, which is greater than the first force magnitude, when the user interface is in the null position.