Patents by Inventor Kevin Rehfus

Kevin Rehfus 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: 20160207614
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator in an aircraft brake system may include a stationary body, an actuator drive unit in an actuator drive unit housing, a ball screw coupled to the actuator drive unit, and a ball nut piston coupled to the ball screw. A supplemental back drive mechanism may be disposed between the ball screw and the stationary body. The supplemental back drive mechanism may comprise a spring and a clutch. The spring may store back drive potential energy when the electromechanical actuator is actuated to drive the ball nut piston forward, and may supply back drive energy to the retract the ball nut piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Rehfus, David Drennen
  • Patent number: 9359069
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Drennen, Kevin Rehfus, Robert French, Albert Keith Pant, Joseph E. Beason, Harald Klode
  • Patent number: 9360095
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Drennen, Harald Klode, Kevin Rehfus
  • Publication number: 20160146273
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID DRENNEN, HARALD KLODE, KEVIN REHFUS
  • Publication number: 20160123417
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin Rehfus, Harald Klode, David Drennen
  • Publication number: 20160126811
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harald Klode, David Drennen, Kevin Rehfus, Albert Keith Pant, Robert French
  • Publication number: 20160122009
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator in an aircraft brake may include a ball nut piston, and endcap coupled to the ball nut piston, a retaining ring coupled to the endcap, and a puck secured within the endcap. The puck may be permanently retained within the retaining ring. The retaining ring may be a split ring which is installed around a base of the puck. The puck may be inserted within a single-piece retaining ring, and the retaining ring may be bent over a base of the puck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID DRENNEN, KEVIN REHFUS
  • Publication number: 20160123445
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: DAVID DRENNEN, KEVIN REHFUS, SATINDER MANN, ROBERT FRENCH, HARALD KLODE
  • Patent number: 9328809
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Rehfus, David Drennen, Harald Klode
  • Patent number: 9308990
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David B. Drennen, Kevin Rehfus, Robert French, Harald Klode
  • Patent number: 9297430
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Drennen, Harald Klode, Kevin Rehfus
  • Patent number: 9273738
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Rehfus, David B. Drennen, Robert French, Harald Klode
  • Publication number: 20160039520
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: DAVID DRENNEN, KEVIN REHFUS, ROBERT FRENCH, ALBERT KEITH PANT, JOSEPH E. BEASON, HARALD KLODE
  • Publication number: 20160041058
    Abstract: A system and method of adjusting a zero reference may comprise retracting ram of an actuator coupled to a load cell from a first position to a second position. The system and method may comprise reporting a measurement by a load cell, in response to the actuator being in a second position. The system and method may comprise calculating a force being measured by t the load cell. The system and method may comprise creating a zero reference offset value based on the calculation, in response to the force calculation resulting in a non-zero force calculation. The system and method may comprise adjusting a zero reference value of the load cell by the zero reference offset value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: MARC GEORGIN, Kevin Rehfus
  • Publication number: 20150354644
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Drennen, Robert French, Harald Klode, Kevin Rehfus
  • Publication number: 20150345576
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Rehfus, David B. Drennen, Robert French, Harald Klode
  • Publication number: 20150344130
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Drennen, Kevin Rehfus, Robert French, Harald Klode
  • Publication number: 20150285346
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful for use in a ballscrew assembly. In this regard, a ballscrew assembly is provided comprising a ballscrew having a ballscrew stop, a ballnut having a ballnut stop, wherein contact between the ballnut stop and the ballscrew stop impede rotation of the ballscrew relative to the ballnut. The ballnut stop may comprise an axial mating surface and the ballscrew stop may comprise an axial mating surface. Additionally, the ballnut may comprise threads axially spaced a first distance apart and the ballnut stop comprises a surface having length equal to the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Cahill, David Bernard Drennen, Harald Klode, Kevin Rehfus
  • Patent number: 9140321
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Drennen, Robert French, Harald Klode, Kevin Rehfus
  • Publication number: 20150122061
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: GOODRICH CORPORATION
    Inventors: David B. Drennen, Harald Klode, Kevin Rehfus