Abstract: An actuation system is provided comprising an electric motor having a motor output shaft, a first actuator and a transmission system linking the electric motor to the first actuator. The transmission system comprises a drive shaft having an input end and an output end, the output end connected to an input of the first actuator, and a torque limiter. The torque limiter is positioned at an upstream end of the transmission system and connects the motor output shaft of the electric motor to an input end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An actuation system is provided comprising an electric motor having a motor output shaft, a first actuator and a transmission system linking the electric motor to the first actuator. The transmission system comprises a drive shaft having an input end and an output end, the output end connected to an input of the first actuator, and a torque limiter. The torque limiter is positioned at an upstream end of the transmission system and connects the motor output shaft of the electric motor to an input end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A rotary magnetic damper comprises a first, rotary damper element, a second, static damper element and a rotary input coupled to the rotary damper element. The coupling between the input and the rotary damper element is such that rotation of the rotary input causes the rotary damper element to progressively magnetically engage the static damper element whereby to progressively increase a damping force created by the damper. The rotary damper element may be a magnet or magnets mounted on a carrier which threadingly engages a screw driving element such that as the input rotates the carrier, it and the rotary damper element translate axially along the screw driving element towards the static damper element.

Abstract: A clutch for driving a winch is provided. The clutch comprises an input shaft for connection to a drive means, operatively connected to at least one input friction plate to rotate therewith and an output shaft for driving a winch operatively connected to at least one output friction plate to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A torque limiter comprising: a ramp roller, said ramp roller comprising: an input ramp roller element arranged to be driven by an input torque and having a first ramp surface; an output ramp roller element arranged to drive an output torque shaft and having a second ramp surface; ramp roller balls disposed between the first ramp surface and the second ramp surface; wherein said output ramp roller element is axially and resiliently compressible and wherein an overtorque condition causes axial compression of said output ramp roller element. This arrangement removes all axially sliding friction surfaces from the torque limiter so that the torque bandwidth is reduced, allowing manufacturers to design structures more optimally.

Abstract: A torque limited drive system comprising: an input shaft; at least one gear unit driven by the input shaft; a torque limiter having a torque limit and being driven by the at least one gear unit; and a torque limited output shaft driven by the torque limiter; wherein the torque limiter is adapted such that when it experiences a torque above its torque limit it applies a brake to said input shaft. The fact that the torque limiter is situated downstream of the gear units combined with the fact that the torque limiter brakes the input shaft upstream of the gear unit allows minimization of component weight within the gear units and within equipment driven by the output shaft due to the removal of the effect of efficiency and drag bandwidths associated with the gear units.

Abstract: A clutch for driving a winch is provided. The clutch comprises an input shaft for connection to a drive means, operatively connected to at least one input friction plate to rotate therewith and an output shaft for driving a winch operatively connected to at least one output friction plate to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A rotary magnetic damper comprises a first, rotary damper element, a second, static damper element and a rotary input coupled to the rotary damper element. The coupling between the input and the rotary damper element is such that rotation of the rotary input causes the rotary damper element to progressively magnetically engage the static damper element whereby to progressively increase a damping force created by the damper. The rotary damper element may be a magnet or magnets mounted on a carrier which threadingly engages a screw driving element such that as the input rotates the carrier, it and the rotary damper element translate axially along the screw driving element towards the static damper element.

Abstract: A torque limited drive system comprising: an input shaft; at least one gear unit driven by the input shaft; a torque limiter having a torque limit and being driven by the at least one gear unit; and a torque limited output shaft driven by the torque limiter; wherein the torque limiter is adapted such that when it experiences a torque above its torque limit it applies a brake to said input shaft. The fact that the torque limiter is situated downstream of the gear units combined with the fact that the torque limiter brakes the input shaft upstream of the gear unit allows minimization of component weight within the gear units and within equipment driven by the output shaft due to the removal of the effect of efficiency and drag bandwidths associated with the gear units.

Abstract: A torque limiter comprising: a ramp roller, said ramp roller comprising: an input ramp roller element arranged to be driven by an input torque and having a first ramp surface; an output ramp roller element arranged to drive an output torque shaft and having a second ramp surface; ramp roller balls disposed between the first ramp surface and the second ramp surface; wherein said output ramp roller element is axially and resiliently compressible and wherein an overtorque condition causes axial compression of said output ramp roller element. This arrangement removes all axially sliding friction surfaces from the torque limiter so that the torque bandwidth is reduced, allowing manufacturers to design structures more optimally.

Abstract: An actuator comprising, a first, rotatable member arranged to be driven by a motor, a sleeve, said first member cooperating with said sleeve such that rotation of the first member at a given speed relative to said sleeve causes the sleeve to be translated axially at a first speed through a predetermined distance, stop means limiting axial translation of the sleeve reative to the first member whereafter during continued rotation of the first member the sleeve rotates with the first member, a second, non-rotatable, member, said sleeve cooperating with said second member whereby rotation of the sleeve at said given speed causes axial translation of the second member relative to said sleeve at a second speed and, a brake arrangement applying a braking force to the sleeve, the braking force resisting rotation of the sleeve but not significantly affecting translation of the sleeve.

Abstract: A screw actuator comprising first and second relatively rotatable members, a screw thread formation in the first member including a helical groove, spherical elements carried by the second member and in rolling engagement in the helical groove to form a ball screw coupling between the first and second members, the groove being of sufficient width to allow the spherical elements to move laterally within the groove, and a brake member carried by the second member and defining a screw thread formation which is received in the groove of the screw thread formation of the first member, the brake member being angularly moveable relative to the second member by rotation of the first member relative to the second member, between a first angular position in which the screw thread formation of the brake member is cooperable with that of the first member, and a second angular position in which the screw thread formation of the brake member is not cooperable with that of the first member.

Abstract: A torque limiter comprises input and output shafts connected together by a clutch which disengages to prevent excessive torque from being applied to the output shaft and to allow the input shaft to rotate freely. As the clutch disengages, a brake is applied to the output shaft to prevent it from rotating. When the brake is applied, a latch holds the brake on. The clutch comprises balls which are held in clutch plate recesses to transmit torque but which ride out of the recesses and fall into pockets so that the clutch becomes permanently disengaged.

Abstract: A lock is provided for locking a first door and a second door of an engine thrust reverser. The lock comprises a first and a second locking element for the first and second doors, respectively. The first and second locking elements are movable between a first and a second position for respectively preventing and permitting deployment of the first and second doors. A third locking member is provided and is movable between a first and a second position for preventing and permitting, respectively, movement of the first and second locking elements from the first positions and second positions thereof. An electromechanical actuator is arranged to move the third locking element from a first position to a second position thereof.

Abstract: A lock for an engine thrust reverser comprises a locking member, for example, in the shape of a fork, arranged to engage a locking pin of a thrust reversing member. In use, the thrust reversing member is held in an inoperative position by other locks such that no force is exerted on the locking member by the thrust reversing member. If the other locks fail, the thrust reversing member pushes against the locking member. Under such conditions the lock cannot be unlocked and consequently the thrust reversing member is prevented from being deployed.

Abstract: A device is provided for hand operation of a gas turbine engine thrust reversing system. Torque is applied to an input element and transmitted to an output element by way of a torque limiting means arranged to substantially remove the torque from the output element when the torque exceeds a threshold. The device also includes means to lock the thrust reverser against movement.

Abstract: A lock has a shaft coupled to a flexible shaft which synchronizes hydraulic actuators of a translating cowl thrust reverser. The shaft is provided with a rotary brake comprising axially movable rotating and fixed discs urged together by a spring. The rotating discs are rotationally fixed to an armature of a solenoid which, when actuated, releases the rotary brake to allow the shaft to rotate and the thrust reverser to be deployed or stowed.

Abstract: The core of a liner displacement transducer is coupled to a rotatable movable member by a threaded stem which engages the member for rotation therewith and is axially slidable relative thereto. The stem threadedly engages a nut which is axially located on a fixed part of the transducer and is restrained against rotation by a spring loaded detent. Projections on the stem are engageable with respective abutments on the nut at opposite limits of linear travel of the stem, causing the nut to rotate and preventing further change in the position of the core.

Abstract: A device for coupling a rotary member to an axially movable input stem of a linear displacement transducer comprises an axially movable element which is coupled to the stem and threadedly engages the rotary member. The axially movable element is restrained against rotation by spring loaded detents and has abutments which can engage a lug on the member when the element reaches its limiting axial positions. This engagement causes the element to be rotated with the member and input to the transducer is arrested.