Abstract: The present invention describes a drive system for an aircraft involving one or more nose wheel motors. Data regarding the nose wheel rotation is used to control the ground travel of the aircraft, to predict potential problems, to provide more precise control over the aircraft, and to improve aircraft safety.

Abstract: The present invention discloses small compact motor systems which may be located inside a vehicle drive wheel, and which allow a drive motor to provide the necessary torque with reasonable system mass. The motor systems of the invention utilize polyphase electric motors, and are preferably connected to appropriate drive systems via mesh connections, to provide variable V/Hz ratios. In one embodiment the stator coils are wound around the inside and outside of the stator. In a further embodiment, the machine contains a high number of phases, greater than three. In a further embodiment, the phases are connected in a mesh connection. In a further embodiment, each half-phase is independently driven to enable second harmonic drive for an impedance effect. Improvements are apparent in efficiency and packing density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a screw drive apparatus. The apparatus may include a threaded rod having a helical thread, a nut disposed about the threaded rod and having a load-bearing channel aligned with and radially outward from the helical thread, and a plurality of balls between the helical thread and the load-bearing channel. The apparatus may further include a housing with at least one support bearing having an inner race coupled to the nut and an outer race coupled to the housing and rotatable relative to the inner race. A retaining member is removably and adjustably coupled to the nut to apply an adjustable force against the support bearing in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the threaded rod.

Abstract: To maintain tension on a fiber tow as it travels between a spool of the tow and a fiber placement head in a computer controlled fiber placement machine, closed tension loop servo control tow velocity feed forward is provided to control spool rotation so as to not only provide closed loop tension control but to also cause rotation in anticipation of expected tow movement such as due to tow payout upon commanded movements of the fiber placement head. Gain scheduling based on spool radius is also provided. Additionally, a compliant roller is provided to reduce tension dips and spikes from disturbances on the tow, and an inner velocity loop is included with the closed tension loop to provide more effective control of tow tension. The servo control is reconfigurable into an open or pseudo-closed loop mode with a safety low power supply to slowly reel-up slack tow after tow threading, for example, and to otherwise maintain low tension on the tow to hold it in the machine while allowing servicing thereof.