Abstract: The present disclosure provides for ram air turbine deployment actuator assemblies utilizing an actuator heater. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for ram air turbine deployment actuator assemblies utilizing an integrated electric heater element in the actuator housing. The present disclosure provides that by warming the hydraulic fluid in a ram air turbine deployment actuator assembly via an actuator heating member (e.g., by warming the hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic fluid cavity or chamber that provides an integrated hydraulic snubbing loop), the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid is reduced, thus helping to reduce ram air turbine deployment time via the actuator heating member of the ram air turbine deployment actuator assembly.

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 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 system for providing alternating current (AC) power to an aircraft component includes a ram air turbine (RAT) configured to generate AC power. The system also includes an energy storage device configured to output direct current (DC) power. The system also includes an inverter configured to convert the DC power to the AC power. The system also includes a controller coupled to the RAT and the inverter and configured to cause the inverter to provide the AC power to the aircraft component, and to control the RAT to provide the AC power to the aircraft component in response to determining that the RAT can provide the AC power.

Abstract: A heating system for a ram air turbine includes a heated screen that is disposed across an air inlet defined by a strut. The strut has a first end that is connected to a generator that is operably connected to a turbine that is connected to a second end of the strut. The heated screen has a heating element embedded therein.

Abstract: A splined muff is provided for use with a ram air turbine (RAT). The splined muff includes a body formed of plastic material that acts as an insulator during a lightning strike. The body is formed to define an aperture and includes an interior facing spline for engagement with a complementary exterior facing spline; and an exterior facing spline for engagement with a complementary interior facing spline.

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 heating system for a ram air turbine includes a heated screen that is disposed across an air inlet defined by a strut. The strut has a first end that is connected to a generator that is operably connected to a turbine that is connected to a second end of the strut. The heated screen has a heating element embedded therein.

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 splined muff is provided for use with a ram air turbine (RAT). The splined muff includes a body formed of plastic material that acts as an insulator during a lightning strike. The body is formed to define an aperture and includes an interior facing spline for engagement with a complementary exterior facing spline; and an exterior facing spline for engagement with a complementary interior facing spline.

Abstract: An electrical power generation and distribution system includes a RAM air turbine a first direct current essential bus, a second direct current essential bus, a third direct current essential bus, a first contactor disposed between the first and third direct current essential buses, a second contactor disposed between the second and third direct current essential bus, a third contactor disposed between the RAM air turbine and the third direct current essential bus, a RAM air turbine smoke isolation system, including a first drive circuit coupled to the first contactor, a second drive circuit coupled to the second contactor, a third drive circuit coupled to the third contactor and a transfer inhibit switch coupled to the first, second and third drive circuits.

Abstract: A method of deploying a ram air turbine for an aircraft only during flight that deploys the ram air turbine only when a predetermined number of aeronautical power generation contactor signals are in an engaged state, an external power generation contactor is in a disengaged state, wheels for the aircraft are in an airborne state and all of multiple primary electric buses are in a fault state that represents electric potential below a predetermined level.

Abstract: In a power generation system that includes a ram air turbine that drives an electric generator and at least one electric bus that couples alternating current electric power from the electric generator to at least one electric load, a method of maintaining the speed of the ram air turbine within a desired range of speeds that comprises the step of uncoupling the at least one electric bus from the electric generator when the frequency of the alternating current falls under a desired minimum frequency.

Abstract: An electrical power generation and distribution system includes a RAM air turbine a first direct current essential bus, a second direct current essential bus, a third direct current essential bus, a first contactor disposed between the first and third direct current essential buses, a second contactor disposed between the second and third direct current essential bus, a third contactor disposed between the RAM air turbine and the third direct current essential bus, a RAM air turbine smoke isolation system, including a first drive circuit coupled to the first contactor, a second drive circuit coupled to the second contactor, a third drive circuit coupled to the third contactor and a transfer inhibit switch coupled to the first, second and third drive circuits.

Abstract: A startup assistance apparatus for a fine pitch Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is provided and includes a generator to provide motive power to the RAT when operating in a first mode and to generate electricity from RAT operation when operating in a second mode and a control unit, including a speed sensing unit configured to sense an operating condition of the generator and a controller operably coupled to the generator and configured to control the generator to operate in the first or the second mode based on the sensed operating condition.

Abstract: A ram air turbine governor includes a hub carrying multiple turbine blades. A sensor is configured to detect a parameter. A counterweight is coupled to at least one turbine blade and is configured to provide an input to the turbine blade in response to a centrifugal force to move the turbine blade from a first pitch position to a second pitch position. An electromechanical actuator is operatively coupled to the counterweight. A controller is in communication with the mechanical actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to command the electromechanical actuator and move the turbine blade from the second pitch position to a third pitch position in response to the detected parameter.

Abstract: In a power generation system that includes a ram air turbine that drives an electric generator and at least one electric bus that couples alternating current electric power from the electric generator to at least one electric load, a method of maintaining the speed of the ram air turbine within a desired range of speeds that comprises the step of uncoupling the at least one electric bus from the electric generator when the frequency of the alternating current falls under a desired minimum frequency.

Abstract: A method of deploying a ram air turbine for an aircraft only during flight that deploys the ram air turbine only when a predetermined number of aeronautical power generation contactor signals are in an engaged state, an external power generation contactor is in a disengaged state, wheels for the aircraft are in an airborne state and all of multiple primary electric buses are in a fault state that represents electric potential below a predetermined level.