# US 2010/0163772 A1 · Actuator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0163772 A1 - Document ID: US20100163772A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/625,417 - Filed: 2009-11-24 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2008-12-31 - Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE plc - Inventors: Eric Mitchell Arnett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100163772A1 ## CPC - F01D 17/26: fluid, e.g. hydraulic - F02C 7/22: Fuel supply systems - F05D 2260/79: Bearing, support or actuation arrangements therefor - F16H 25/20: Screw mechanisms (with automatic reversal F16H25/12) - Y10T 74/18576: including screw and nut - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F02C: GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (construction of turbines F01D; jet-propulsion plants F02K; construction of compressors or fans F04; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; using gas turbines in compression refrigeration plants F25B11/00) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS - F16H: GEARING - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract In one embodiment, a fluid driven actuation system is provided having a turbine and an actuation member with cooperating surfaces. In one form the fluid is fuel. The turbine may move when fluid is flowed through the actuation member thereby causing the actuation member to move by action of the cooperating threaded surfaces. A movable nozzle may also be provided to direct fluid flowing through actuation member and may be used to cause the turbine to move. A spring may be provided to create a biasing force in the nozzle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: a fuel system operable to produce a fuel flow; a screw assembly including a screw shaft and a screw follower, wherein the screw shaft and screw follower are threadingly coupled and are configured for relative movement; and a fluid flow path operable to accommodate a fuel flow from the fuel system, wherein the screw assembly produces relative movement when fuel flows through the fluid flow path. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes a reactive surface coupled with the screw assembly, wherein the reactive surface is operable to generate a motion when the fuel flow is flowing through the fluid flow path, and wherein the motion causes relative movement between the screw shaft and screw follower. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes a nozzle that forms at least part of the fluid flow path and is operable to direct fuel flow. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 which further includes a vane disposed in the nozzle to accelerate the mass flow. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 which further includes a motor coupled to the nozzle, wherein the nozzle is configured to pivot and wherein the motor is operable to move the nozzle from a first pivot position to a second pivot position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the reactive surface is coupled with the screw follower. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the screw assembly is a ball screw type assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 which further includes a spring operable to bias the screw assembly to a first position. ### Claim 9 An apparatus comprising: a gas turbine engine having a moveable component; an actuator operable to produce motion in the moveable component, the actuator having a fuel flow path and a turbine, the turbine having a plurality of reactive surfaces operable to be rotated in an annular space, wherein the fuel flow path is transverse to the annular space, and wherein the actuator is operable to produce motion upon rotation of the turbine; and wherein the moveable component is moved when the turbine produces work. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the plurality of reactive surface includes circumferentially spaced blades disposed in an annular structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the circumferentially spaced blades are symmetric airfoil shapes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 which further includes a spring coupled to a nozzle wherein the nozzle forms part of the fuel flow path and the spring biases the nozzle to a first position to cause a flow of fuel to react with the reactive surfaces and generate a first force thereby causing relative motion between the screw shaft and screw follower. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the turbine can be an impulse turbine or a reaction turbine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the moveable component is a gas turbine engine unison ring, wherein the actuator is operable to actuate the gas turbine engine unison ring from a first position to a second position. ### Claim 15 An apparatus comprising: a conduit operable to provide a fuel flow; an actuator having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, the actuator including an actuation member capable of moving between a first position and a second position; a reactive member operable to move when a fuel is moving within the actuator; means for directing a fuel flow, the means operable to modulate the reactive member; and wherein movement of the actuator is related to movement of the reactive member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the actuator further includes a fuel flow passageway, wherein the reactive member is a rotatable reactive member, wherein the rotatable reactive member is disposed in the fuel flow passageway, and wherein the fuel flow passageway connects the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. ### Claim 17 A method comprising: flowing a fuel to a rotary member of a gas turbine engine actuator; rotating the rotary member and causing a motive response in the gas turbine engine actuator; generating a movement in a gas turbine engine component coupled to the gas turbine engine actuator; and directing at least part of the fuel to a combustor after flowing the fuel to the gas turbine engine actuator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 which further includes: providing a fueling system operable to supply fuel to a gas turbine engine; and placing the gas turbine engine actuator in fluid communication with the fueling system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 which further includes moving a nozzle of the gas turbine engine actuator to cause the rotating of the rotary member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 which further includes producing a biasing force in the nozzle to return the nozzle to a neutral position.