Abstract: A ram air turbine system includes a ram air turbine and an actuator to move the ram air turbine between a stowed position and a deployed position. The actuator is in fluid communication with an aircraft hydraulic system configured to return the ram air turbine to the stowed position from the deployed position during operation of the aircraft utilizing hydraulic fluid pressure from the aircraft hydraulic system. A method of operating a ram air turbine system includes slowing or stopping rotation of the ram air turbine during flight of the aircraft, directing hydraulic fluid pressure from an aircraft hydraulic system to a ram air turbine actuator to urge movement of the actuator from a deployed position to a stowed position and urging movement of the ram air turbine from a deployed position to a stowed position via movement of the actuator from the deployed position to the stowed position.

Abstract: A ram air turbine (RAT) system can include a fluid circuit, a turbine, a shaft connected to the turbine to turn with the turbine, and a hydraulic pump connected (e.g., directly) to the shaft and connected to the fluid circuit to pump fluid within the fluid circuit. The hydraulic pump can be a variable displacement pump, for example (e.g., configured to govern a speed of the shaft and turbine). The hydraulic pump can be used to power and provide speed control to an electric generator.

Abstract: Power generation systems for aircraft are described. The power generation systems include at least one aircraft component and a ram air turbine assembly configured to provide power to the at least one aircraft component. The ram air turbine assembly includes a turbine, a power generator operably connected to the turbine, and a continuously variable transmission arranged between the turbine and the power generator, the continuously variable transmission configured to receive an input rotational speed from the turbine and output a constant output rotation speed to enable power generation at the power generator.

Abstract: A ram air turbine (RAT) system is provided. The RAT system includes a main generator, a RAT power generation unit, first circuitry, a storage device and second circuitry. The main generator and the RAT power generation unit are connectable to an aircraft bus by the first circuitry. The first circuitry includes a first switch which is controllable such that power is selectively provided to the aircraft bus from one of the main generator and the RAT power generation unit. The storage device is connectable to the aircraft bus by the second circuitry. The second circuitry includes a second switch which is controllable such that power is selectively provided to the aircraft bus from the storage device.

Abstract: A ram air turbine has a turbine having blades to be extended into an airflow adjacent to an aircraft. The turbine is operable to drive a power generation rotor. A module receives sensed information from a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors are associated with locations on the ram air turbine, sense conditions at the locations, and send information with regard to the sensed conditions to the module. The module is operable to compare sensed conditions to limits and identify a potential condition of concern based upon the comparison. A method of testing a ram air turbine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid ram air turbine assembly includes a turbine portion having a plurality of turbine blades connected to a turbine shaft via a hub. A pivot joint is connected to the turbine portion by a hydraulic pump and an electric generator. The hydraulic pump and the electric generator are in-line with each other, and the turbine shaft is connected to a generator input shaft via a first gear set.

Abstract: A hybrid ram air turbine assembly includes a turbine portion having a plurality of turbine blades connected to a turbine shaft via a hub. A pivot joint is connected to the turbine portion by a hydraulic pump and an electric generator. The hydraulic pump and the electric generator are in-line with each other, and the turbine shaft is connected to a generator input shaft via a first gear set.

Abstract: A ram air turbine (RAT) system is provided. The RAT system includes a main generator, a RAT power generation unit, first circuitry, a storage device and second circuitry. The main generator and the RAT power generation unit are connectable to an aircraft bus by the first circuitry. The first circuitry includes a first switch which is controllable such that power is selectively provided to the aircraft bus from one of the main generator and the RAT power generation unit. The storage device is connectable to the aircraft bus by the second circuitry. The second circuitry includes a second switch which is controllable such that power is selectively provided to the aircraft bus from the storage device.

Abstract: A pump system includes an actuator which can be retracted by a fluid in the pump system. Also included is a pump with a first drive coupling and a rotational power device with a second drive coupling. The second drive coupling is configured to removably mate with the first drive coupling for powering the pump. A spool valve that is spring loaded and in fluid connection with the pump when the spool valve is in a stow position is also included. In addition, the pump system includes both a relief valve and a reservoir both in fluid connection with the actuator.

Abstract: A ram air turbine system includes a ram air turbine and an actuator to move the ram air turbine between a stowed position and a deployed position. The actuator is in fluid communication with an aircraft hydraulic system configured to return the ram air turbine to the stowed position from the deployed position during operation of the aircraft utilizing hydraulic fluid pressure from the aircraft hydraulic system. A method of operating a ram air turbine system includes slowing or stopping rotation of the ram air turbine during flight of the aircraft, directing hydraulic fluid pressure from an aircraft hydraulic system to a ram air turbine actuator to urge movement of the actuator from a deployed position to a stowed position and urging movement of the ram air turbine from a deployed position to a stowed position via movement of the actuator from the deployed position to the stowed position.

Abstract: A ram air turbine has a turbine having blades to be extended into an airflow adjacent to an aircraft. The turbine is operable to drive a power generation rotor. A module receives sensed information from a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors are associated with locations on the ram air turbine, sense conditions at the locations, and send information with regard to the sensed conditions to the module. The module is operable to compare sensed conditions to limits and identify a potential condition of concern based upon the comparison. A method of testing a ram air turbine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ram air turbine includes a strut. The strut includes a turbine portion and an opposed vehicle connection portion. The ram air turbine also includes a turbine operatively connected to the turbine portion of the strut to rotate relative to the strut. A shaft is disposed within the strut. The strut includes a turbine end and a vehicle connection end. The turbine end is operatively connected to be driven by the turbine to rotate within the strut. The shaft includes a composite material that has a tuned performance for at least one of optimal critical speed, bending, torsional stiffnesses, and/or resonant frequencies over an operational speed envelope of the shaft.

Abstract: A distributed heating system for a power train of a ram air turbine, which ram air turbine has a stowed position and a deployed position, has at least one electrical resistance heater element, with each electrical resistance heater element located proximate at least one respective lubrication surface for the power train; and an electrical controller for coupling electrical power to each electrical resistance heater element when the ram air turbine is in the stowed position and ambient temperature falls below a desired level.

Abstract: A pump system includes an actuator which can be retracted by a fluid in the pump system. Also included is a pump with a first drive coupling and a rotational power device with a second drive coupling. The second drive coupling is configured to removably mate with the first drive coupling for powering the pump. A spool valve that is spring loaded and in fluid connection with the pump when the spool valve is in a stow position is also included. In addition, the pump system includes both a relief valve and a reservoir both in fluid connection with the actuator.

Abstract: A distributed heating system for a power train of a ram air turbine, which ram air turbine has a stowed position and a deployed position, has at least one electrical resistance heater element, with each electrical resistance heater element located proximate at least one respective lubrication surface for the power train; and an electrical controller for coupling electrical power to each electrical resistance heater element when the ram air turbine is in the stowed position and ambient temperature falls below a desired level.

Abstract: An example a ram air turbine assembly (RAT) is mounted to an airframe and provides both electric power and hydraulic pressure. A turbine drives a drive shaft about an axis transverse to rotation of the turbine. The drive shaft in turn drives both a generator and a hydraulic pump at a common speed.

Abstract: An electric actuation system for an emergency power system of an aircraft includes a motor control portion, a motor brake, a motor in electrical communication with the motor control portion, mechanical gearing in mechanical communication with the motor, the mechanical gearing configured to translate rotational motion of the motor into linear motion across at least one axis, and an extension member in mechanical communication with the mechanical gearing, the extension member configured to linearly travel across the at least one axis.

Abstract: An example a ram air turbine assembly (RAT) is mounted to an airframe and provides both electric power and hydraulic pressure. A turbine drives a drive shaft about an axis transverse to rotation of the turbine. The drive shaft in turn drives both a generator and a hydraulic pump at a common speed.