US 2026/0287039 A1 · DAMPING UNIT AS A SECONDARY LOAD PATH FOR A MOVABLE ELEMENT WITH ACTUATOR

Abstract

Embodiments provide a damping unit coupled to a moveable element. An actuator configured to drive the moveable element provides a primary load path, while the 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. To test the working condition of the damping unit, a load on the actuator can be measured when the actuator drives the moveable element. If the load is greater than a predetermined threshold, it can be determined that the damping unit is providing a damping force against the actuator, and therefore the damping unit is operational.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a fixed element;
a movable element coupled to the fixed element;
an actuator coupled to the movable element and the fixed element, wherein the actuator is configured to cause a motion of the movable element, wherein the actuator provides a primary load path between the movable element and the fixed element;
and
a damping unit coupled to the movable element and the fixed element, wherein the damping unit is configured to provide a damping force to the movable element that opposes the motion of the movable element, wherein the damping unit provides a secondary load path between the movable element and the fixed element.

2 more elements

An aircraft comprising:

a fuselage;
a pair of wings coupled to opposite sides the fuselage;
a fixed element;
a movable element coupled to the fixed element;
an actuator coupled to the movable element and the fixed element, wherein the actuator is configured to cause a motion of the movable element, wherein the actuator provides a primary load path between the movable element and the fixed element;
and
a damping unit coupled to the movable element and the fixed element, wherein the damping unit is configured to provide a damping force to the movable element that opposes the motion of the movable element, wherein the damping unit provides a secondary load path between the movable element and the fixed element.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

19/694,716Filed 1 Jun 2026

Priority

23 May 2023

Published

24 Sep 2026

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B64D 27/40
Arrangement or mounting of power plants in aircraft; Aircraft characterised by the type or position of power plants: arrangements for mounting…
F16F 15/02
Suppression of vibrations in systems ; Means or arrangements for avoiding or reducing out-of-balance forces, e.g. due to motion: suppression of…
B64D 2045/0085
Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for: devices for aircraft health monitoring, e.g. monitoring flutter or vibration
F16F 2230/24
Purpose; Design features: detecting or preventing malfunction, e.g. fail safe

Family

Application63/468,500Us provisional application · filed 23 May 2023

Application18/671,281Division · filed 22 May 2024

Application19/694,716Division

US 12,692,925 B2Related patent

US 2024/0391597 A1Published application

US 2026/0287039 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Damping unit as a secondary load path for a movable element with actuator

Life of this patent

Damping unit as a secondary load path for a movable element with actuator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20