Abstract: A latching mechanism is described comprising: a latching component and a retaining component; wherein the latching component comprises means for receiving a hook in use, and a pivoting feature which is configured to allow said latching component to pivot relative to said retaining component.

Abstract: An actuator includes: a cylinder, formed of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), that extends along an actuator axis between a cylinder first end and a cylinder second end, and defines a cylinder inner diameter surface; a screw shaft that extends along the actuator axis between a screw shaft first end and a screw shaft second end, that is at least partially within the cylinder, and that is operationally connected, intermediate of the screw shaft first and second ends, to the cylinder second end; a screw shaft head affixed to the screw shaft first end, that in operation rotates relative to the cylinder, and that defines a screw shaft head outer diameter surface that faces the cylinder inner diameter surface with a slip fit therebetween; and a bearing ring affixed to the screw shaft head outer diameter surface, that is formed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

Abstract: A biasing system for an actuator. The system includes a lock sleeve, a lock shaft, a tine having a tine finger extending along a longitudinal axis, a biasing member and a biasing spring. The biasing member and biasing spring are configured to maintain a position of the tine finger away from the longitudinal axis in the direction of the lock sleeve when the lock shaft and the lock sleeve are deployed, in use, such that, when the lock sleeve is returned, the tine finger is biased against the lock sleeve to prevent the lock sleeve from returning to a locked position before the lock shaft is able to return to a locked position.

Abstract: A ballscrew assembly includes a nut having a first helical groove formed on a radially inner surface and defining an axis, a screw disposed along the axis (X) and within the nut and that includes a second helical groove formed on a radially outer surface and opposed to the first helical groove so as to form a helical raceway. The assembly also includes a plurality of balls disposed in the helical raceway and an annular seal disposed radially between the nut and the screw. The seal includes a resilient body and a layer formed of PTFE and disposed radially between the resilient body and the screw and configured to contact the radially outer surface of the screw. An optional annular scraper is disposed axially adjacent to the seal and is configured to receive fluid at one axial end and expel fluid at a second axial end.

Abstract: A latching mechanism is described comprising: a latching component and a retaining component; wherein the latching component comprises means for receiving a hook in use, and a pivoting feature which is configured to allow said latching component to pivot relative to said retaining component.

Abstract: A biasing system for an actuator. The system includes a lock sleeve, a lock shaft, a tine having a tine finger extending along a longitudinal axis, a biasing member and a biasing spring. The biasing member and biasing spring are configured to maintain a position of the tine finger away from the longitudinal axis in the direction of the lock sleeve when the lock shaft and the lock sleeve are deployed, in use, such that, when the lock sleeve is returned, the tine finger is biased against the lock sleeve to prevent the lock sleeve from returning to a locked position before the lock shaft.

Abstract: A ballscrew assembly comprises: a nut having a nut body with a radially inner surface and a helical groove formed on the radially inner surface; a screw shaft disposed within the nut, the screw shaft comprising a radially outer surface and a groove formed on the outer surface, the groove on the screw shaft cooperating with the groove on the nut to define a helical raceway for a plurality of balls; at least one lubricant reservoir formed in the nut body at or adjacent to an end of the helical raceway; and a lubricant passage extending through the nut body and fluidly coupled to the at least one lubricant reservoir; wherein the lubricant reservoir is fluidly linked to the helical groove of the nut via the lubricant passage.

Abstract: An actuator includes: a cylinder, formed of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), that extends along an actuator axis between a cylinder first end and a cylinder second end, and defines a cylinder inner diameter surface; a screw shaft that extends along the actuator axis between a screw shaft first end and a screw shaft second end, that is at least partially within the cylinder, and that is operationally connected, intermediate of the screw shaft first and second ends, to the cylinder second end; a screw shaft head affixed to the screw shaft first end, that in operation rotates relative to the cylinder, and that defines a screw shaft head outer diameter surface that faces the cylinder inner diameter surface with a slip fit therebetween; and a bearing ring affixed to the screw shaft head outer diameter surface, that is formed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

Abstract: A ballscrew assembly includes a nut having a first helical groove formed on a radially inner surface and defining an axis, a screw disposed along the axis (X) and within the nut and that includes a second helical groove formed on a radially outer surface and opposed to the first helical groove so as to form a helical raceway. The assembly also includes a plurality of balls disposed in the helical raceway and an annular seal disposed radially between the nut and the screw. The seal includes a resilient body and a layer formed of PTFE and disposed radially between the resilient body and the screw and configured to contact the radially outer surface of the screw. An optional annular scraper is disposed axially adjacent to the seal and is configured to receive fluid at one axial end and expel fluid at a second axial end.

Abstract: A ballscrew assembly comprises: a nut having a nut body with a radially inner surface and a helical groove formed on the radially inner surface; a screw shaft disposed within the nut, the screw shaft comprising a radially outer surface and a groove formed on the outer surface, the groove on the screw shaft cooperating with the groove on the nut to define a helical raceway for a plurality of balls; at least one lubricant reservoir formed in the nut body at or adjacent to an end of the helical raceway; and a lubricant passage extending through the nut body and fluidly coupled to the at least one lubricant reservoir; wherein the lubricant reservoir is fluidly linked to the helical groove of the nut via the lubricant passage.

Abstract: A linear hydraulic actuator comprises a hollow main piston axially moveable in an elongate cylinder under the influence of hydraulic pressure, the main piston defining a bore within which a seal member is provided, the seal member forming a sliding seal with the bore of the main piston.