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US 2026/0285474 A1Published application
Tunable damping unit as a secondary load path for a movable element with actuator
AssigneeWisk Aero LLC
InventorsAndrew Theodore, Chase Nichols
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments provide a tunable damping unit coupled to a moveable element. An actuator configured to drive the moveable element provides a primary load path, while the tunable damping unit provides a secondary load path that slows uncontrolled motion of the moveable element in the event of failure of the primary load path. The tunable damping unit can be tuned to a lower damping mode during normal operation to reduce extra loads on the actuator. The tunable damping unit can be quickly tuned to a higher damping mode in case of actuator failure.
Claims20
A system comprising:
- a movable element configured to move between a first position and a second position;
- an actuator coupled to the movable element and configured to move the movable element between the first position and the second position;
- a tunable damping unit coupled to the movable element and configured to provide a damping force to the movable element that opposes a motion of the movable element;
- and
- a control system configured to control the tunable damping unit, and configured to:
- operate the tunable damping unit to be set at a first damping mode;
- and
- in response to an event, operate the tunable damping unit to be set at a second damping mode.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- operating, by a control system, a tunable damping unit to be set to a first damping mode, wherein the tunable damping unit is coupled to a movable element, and the tunable damping unit is configured to provide a damping force to the movable element that opposes a motion of the movable element;
- detecting, by the control system, an event;
- and
- in response to the event, operating, by the control system, the tunable damping unit to be set at a second damping mode.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.