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US 5,957,798 AGranted
Fail-free actuator assembly
AssigneeGEC-Marconi Aerospace Inc.
InventorsReese R. Smith, III, Eugene E. Shube
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electromechanical actuator is disclosed having either a rotary output or a linear output for moving an external load, the actuator having at least two drive motors, a synchronizer connected to the outputs of the drive motors, a differential mechanism combining the outputs of the drive motors, and a quick release mechanism connected to the differential mechanism and the actuator output, the quick release mechanism releasing support of the external actuator load in response to an internal actuator jam and maintaining support or the external actuator load in response to an external actuator overload.
Claims14
A quick release mechanism comprising:
- an engagement shaft for engaging an actuation member, said engagement shaft having an angular position defined by a first external rotation source;
- and
- an engagement shaft axial positioning mechanism having a ring supported for rotation in a fixed axial position and an axial shifter, said ring having an angular position defined by a second external rotation source, said ring also having an axial governor,
- wherein said axial governor interacts with said axial shifter to shift the axial position of said engagement shaft causing said engagement shaft to disengage said actuation member when said angular position of said engagement shaft and said angular position of said ring differ.
1 more element
An actuator assembly for moving an external load comprising:
- a first drive motor for producing a first rotary output;
- a second drive motor for producing a second rotary output;
- a synchronizer connected to said first rotary output and said second rotary output;
- a first transmission path receiving said first rotary output and having a first transmission output;
- a second transmission path receiving said second rotary output and having a second transmission output and a ring drive output;
- a differential mechanism having a differential mechanism output, said differential mechanism output combining said first transmission output and said second transmission output;
- an engagement shaft having an angular position defined by said differential mechanism output;
- an actuation member for engagement with said engagement shaft, said engagement shaft transferring rotation from said differential mechanism output to said actuation member during normal operation;
- and
- an engagement shaft axial positioning mechanism having a ring supported for rotation in a fixed axial position and an axial shifter, said ring having an angular position defined by said ring drive output, said ring also having an axial governor,
- wherein said axial governor interacts with said axial shifter to shift the axial position of said engagement shaft causing said engagement shaft to disengage said actuation member when said angular position of said engagement shaft and said angular position of said ring differ.
8 more elements
A quick release mechanism comprising:
- a ball nut having an axial support interface and an angular position;
- and
- an axial support ring supported for rotation in a fixed axial position, said axial support ring having an angular position and a ball nut supporter,
- wherein said ball nut supporter provides axial support for said ball nut when said angular position of said ball nut and said angular position of said axial support ring are operatively the same;
- and
- wherein said ball nut supporter permits axial movement of said ball nut when said angular position of said ball nut and said angular position of said axial support ring are operatively different.
3 more elements
An actuator assembly for moving an external load comprising:
- a first drive motor for producing a first rotary output;
- a second drive motor for producing a second rotary output;
- a synchronizer connected to said first rotary output and said second rotary output;
- a first transmission for receiving said first rotary output and having a first transmission output;
- a second transmission for receiving said second rotary output and having a second transmission output and a ring drive output;
- a ball nut having an angular position, an angular rate of rotation and an axial support interface, said angular position of said ball nut corresponding to said first transmission output;
- a ball screw for converting rotation of said ball nut and rotation of said second transmission output to linear movement, said ball screw having an angular rate of rotation, said angular rate of rotation of said ball screw being different than said angular rate of rotation of said ball nut during normal operation when said first drive motor and said second drive motor are rotating;
- an axial support ring supported for rotation in a fixed axial position, said axial support ring having an angular position corresponding to said ring drive output and a ball nut supporter,
- wherein said ball nut supporter provides axial support for said ball nut when said angular position of said ball nut and said angular position of said axial support ring are operatively the same;
- and
- wherein said ball nut supporter permits axial movement of said ball nut when said angular position of said ball nut and said angular position of said axial support ring are operatively different;
- and
- a control system for providing electrical power to said drive motors.
10 more elements
An actuator assembly for moving an external load comprising:
- a plurality of drive motors;
- a synchronizer connected to said drive motors;
- a transmission connected to said drive motors;
- and
- a quick release mechanism connected to said transmission, said quick release mechanism releasing support of said external load in response to an internal actuator jam and maintaining support of said external actuator load in response to an external actuator overload.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.