Flap actuation systems and related methods

A control surface actuation system comprising:

• a first actuator;
• a second actuator;
• a first drive arm coupled to a control surface;
• a second drive arm coupled to the control surface;
• memory;
• machine-readable instructions;
• and
• processor circuitry to execute the machine-readable instructions to:
• cause the first actuator to generate an output to operatively couple the first actuator to the first drive arm;
• cause the second actuator to generate an output to operatively couple the second actuator to the second drive arm;
• cause the first actuator and the second actuator to move the control surface when the first actuator is operatively coupled to the first drive arm and the second actuator is operatively coupled to the second drive arm, the second actuator to provide an opposing torque relative to a torque generated by the first actuator during movement of the control surface;
• detect the first actuator in a failed state;
• and
• in response to the first actuator being in the failed state,
• cause the first actuator to refrain from generating the output to disrupt the operative coupling between the first actuator and the first drive arm;
• and
• cause the second actuator to move the control surface via the first drive arm and the second drive arm.

A system comprising:

• a first actuator;
• a second actuator;
• a first output shaft;
• a second output shaft;
• a first cam;
• a second cam;
• a first drive arm coupled to the first output shaft and a control surface of an air vehicle;
• a second drive arm coupled to the second output shaft and the control surface;
• memory;
• machine-readable instructions;
• and
• processor circuitry to execute the machine-readable instructions to:
• control the first actuator to cause the first actuator to operatively couple with the control surface via engagement between the first cam and the first output shaft;
• and
• control the second actuator to cause the second actuator to operatively couple with the control surface via engagement between the second cam and the second output shaft.

A non-transitory machine readable storage medium comprising instructions that cause processor circuitry to at least:

• cause a first actuator to drive movement of a first cam to cause the first cam to couple with a first output shaft to operatively couple the first actuator with the first output shaft, the first output shaft coupled to a control surface of an air vehicle;
• cause a second actuator to drive movement of a second cam to cause the second cam to couple with a second output shaft to operatively couple the second actuator with the second output shaft, the second output shaft coupled to the control surface;
• and
• cause the first actuator and the second actuator to drive movement of the control surface between a first position and a second position via the first output shaft and the second output shaft.