Failure Tolerant (e.g., Jam Tolerant, No-back Control Connection) Patents (Class 244/99.9)
  • Patent number: 7410132
    Abstract: In a vehicle, having a fixed supporting structure and a load movable relative thereto, a jam tolerant actuating system, a method for controlling this system including: Locating a physical coupling/decoupling mechanism between the load and an actuator assembly as close a practicable to the load; constructing the coupling/uncoupling mechanism to be reversible, and hence testable; and controlling the connection/disconnection via decision making electronics which will detect any system failure by monitoring, at a minimum: actuator main motor load and speed, and actuator output load. Also set forth are specific embodiments of pivotable rotary geared actuators as well as linear ball screw type actuators embodying the coupling/uncoupling mechanisms of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Flatt
  • Patent number: 7350750
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for aircraft airbrakes, which comprises control means of a continuous operating mode or of an incremental operating mode in nominal operation of the airbrakes and control means of an incremental operating mode in the event of breakdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Beaujard, Marc Audibert
  • Patent number: 7175133
    Abstract: A wing driving apparatus is made up of a flight controller part for generating a drive signal, first and second servo actuators, a first controller unit having a first drive circuit, and a second controller unit having a second drive circuit. The first controller unit includes a follower signal generator circuit for generating a follower signal. The second servo actuator includes a solenoid valve for invalidating a control to the second serve actuator based on the drive signal from the second drive circuit in response to the follower signal, whereby the second second servo actuator follows the steering wing when the first drive circuit is able to operate the first servo actuator to drive the steering wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: TS Corporation
    Inventors: Teruaki Tanaka, Toshio Kamimura
  • Patent number: 7114601
    Abstract: A torque transfer limiting arrangement for a rotational drive shaft. The arrangement includes a torque sensing device for sensing torque within the drive shaft and outputing a signal indicative of the sensed torque. A braking device of the arrangement is actuatable for stopping the drive shaft from rotating. The arrangement also includes a portion for electrically causing operation of the braking device responsive to the signal indicative of the sensed torque above a predetermined value. In one example, the portion for electrically causing operation of the braking device includes a processor. In one example, the rotational drive shaft is part of an aircraft flap actuator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Mayer, Arthur Degenholtz, Naresh P. Vaghela
  • Patent number: 7100870
    Abstract: In a vehicle, having a fixed supporting structure and a load movable relative thereto, a jam tolerant actuating system, a method for controlling this system including: Locating a physical coupling/decoupling mechanism between the load and an actuator assembly as close a practicable to the load; constructing the coupling/uncoupling mechanism to be reversible, and hence testable; and controlling the connection/disconnection via decision making electronics which will detect any system failure by monitoring, at a minimum: actuator main motor load and speed, and actuator output load. Also set forth are specific embodiments of pivotable rotary geared actuators as well as linear ball screw type actuators embodying the coupling/uncoupling mechanisms of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: James E. Flatt