Multiple load path actuator with fault detection

An actuator assembly configured to impart a range of motion to a driven object relative to a structure comprising:

• a first sub-actuator comprising a first motor and a first drive linkage configured to be driven linearly relative to a drive housing;
• a second sub-actuator comprising a second motor and a second drive linkage configured to be driven linearly relative to said drive housing;
• a pivot mount connected to both said first drive linkage and said second drive linkage and configured to pivot about a pivot axis;
• said pivot mount connected to said first drive linkage at a first mount connection offset a perpendicular first offset distance from said pivot axis;
• said pivot mount connected to said second drive linkage at a second mount connection offset a perpendicular second offset distance from said pivot axis;
• said first motor and said first drive linkage configured to provide a first load path between said drive housing and said pivot mount;
• said second motor and said second drive linkage configured to provide a second load path between said drive housing and said pivot mount that is different from said first load path;
• said first mount connection supporting said first drive linkage and said second mount connection supporting said second drive linkage so that in a first operation state said pivot mount is in a force-balanced orientation about said pivot axis;
• a proximity detector positioned to detect when said pivot mount rotates about said pivot axis above a rotation threshold out of said force-balanced orientation;
• said first drive linkage comprising a first screw drive and said second drive linkage comprising a second screw drive;
• said first motor configured to selectively rotate said first screw drive and said second motor configured to selectively rotate said second screw drive;
• said first motor connected to both said first drive linkage and said second drive linkage so that in said first operation state said first motor selectively drives said pivot mount relative to said drive housing via said first load path and said second load path;
• said second motor connected to both said first drive linkage and said second drive linkage so that in said first operation state said second motor selectively drives said pivot mount relative to said drive housing via said first load path and said second load path;
• gearing between the first motor and said first screw drive and said second screw drive such that both said first screw drive and said second screw drive may be driven by said first motor in said first operation state and such that said first screw drive and said second screw drive are rotationally synchronized with each other in said first operation state;
• gearing between the second motor and said first screw drive and said second screw drive such that both said first screw drive and said second screw drive may be driven by said second motor in said first operation state and such that said first screw drive and second screw drive are rotationally synchronized with each other in said first operation state;
• said gearing comprising:
• a first motor gear connected to a drive shaft of said first motor;
• a second motor gear connected to a drive shaft of said second motor;
• a first drive gear connected to a first shaft of said first screw drive and in rotational engagement with said first motor gear;
• a second drive gear connected to a second shaft of said second screw drive and in rotational engagement with said second motor gear;
• and
• a synchronizing gear in rotational engagement with both said first drive gear and said second drive gear;
• and
• wherein a force imbalance on said pivot mount caused by a fault in one of said first drive linkage or said second drive linkage above a fault threshold is detected by said proximity detector.