No-back brake for a flight control actuation system and method

A no-back brake comprising:

• a torque tube;
• and
• a brake configured to be displaced in response to a force to prevent the torque tube from rotating, wherein the brake comprises:
• a drag brake section comprising a plurality of drag-brake stators and a plurality of drag-brake rotors alternatingly arranged along a first portion of the torque tube;
• a main brake section comprising a plurality of main-brake stators and a plurality of main-brake rotors alternatingly arranged along a second portion of the torque tube;
• and
• a plurality of friction devices, wherein one of the plurality of friction devices is located between each one of the plurality of drag-brake stators and the plurality of drag-brake rotors and one of the plurality of friction devices is located between each one of the plurality of main-brake stators and the plurality of main-brake rotors,
• wherein:
• each one of the plurality of drag-brake rotors and each one of the plurality of main-brake rotors is concentric with the torque tube and is fixed to the torque tube so that each one of the plurality of drag-brake rotors and each one of the plurality of main-brake rotors rotates with the torque tube;
• each one of the plurality of drag-brake stators and each one of the plurality of main-brake stators is concentrically mounted on the torque tube so that the torque tube is rotatable relative to each one of the plurality of drag-brake stators and each one of the plurality of main-brake stators;
• each one of the friction devices is configured to form a frictional coupling between a corresponding pair of the plurality of drag-brake stators and the plurality of drag-brake rotors and between a corresponding pair of the plurality of main-brake stators and the plurality of main-brake rotors that opposes relative rotational motion between the plurality of drag-brake stators and the plurality of drag-brake rotors and relative rotational motion between the plurality of main-brake stators and the plurality of main-brake rotors when the brake is displaced;
• each one of the friction devices comprises a composite material;
• at least one of the friction devices comprises a friction surface and at least one channel formed in the friction surface;
• and
• the at least one channel is configured to move oil between the corresponding pair of the plurality of drag-brake stators and the plurality of drag-brake rotors or between a corresponding pair of the plurality of main-brake stators and the plurality of main-brake rotors in response to rotation.

A flight control actuation system comprising:

• a dynamic aerodynamic surface that is moveable relative to a static aerodynamic surface;
• an actuator assembly to drive movement of dynamic aerodynamic surface in response to a power input;
• and
• a no-back brake disposed within the actuator assembly, wherein the no-back brake comprises:
• a torque tube configured to rotate in response to the power input;
• and
• a brake configured to be displaced in response to a force to prevent the torque tube from rotating, wherein the brake comprises:
• a rotor concentric with the torque tube and fixed to the torque tube so that the rotor rotates with the torque tube;
• a stator concentrically mounted on the torque tube so that the torque tube is rotatable relative to the stator;
• and
• a friction device located between the rotor and the stator,
• wherein:
• the friction device is configured to form a frictional coupling between the rotor and the stator that opposes relative rotational motion between the rotor and the stator when the brake is displaced;
• the frictional device comprises a composite material;
• the friction device comprises a friction surface and at least one channel formed in the friction surface;
• and
• the at least one channel is configured to move oil between the stator and the rotor when the rotor rotates.

A method comprising steps of:

• receiving a force at a no-back brake;
• displacing a brake of the no-back brake in response to the force;
• and
• forming a frictional coupling between a rotor of the brake and a stator of the brake that opposes relative rotational motion between the rotor and the stator using a friction device of the brake when the brake is displaced;
• and
• moving oil between the stator and the rotor when the rotor rotates,
• wherein:
• the rotor is concentric with a torque tube of the no-back brake and is fixed to the torque tube so that the rotor rotates with the torque tube;
• the stator is concentrically mounted on the torque tube so that the torque tube is rotatable relative to the stator;
• and
• the friction device is located between the rotor and the stator,
• the frictional device comprises a composite material, a friction surface, and at least one channel formed in the friction surface;
• and
• the at least one channel is configured to move oil between the stator and the rotor.