Jam-tolerant actuator
AssigneeAirbus Operations GmbH
InventorsNicholas Elliott, Arnaud Didey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator includes first and second linear motion devices, each able to extend the actuator and arranged such that jamming of one of the first and second linear motion devices does not preclude operation of the other. The first linear motion device includes a first linear screw, a first nut, and a first prime mover arranged to impart relative linear motion between the screw and nut. Similarly, the second linear motion device includes a second linear screw, a second nut, and a second prime mover arranged to impart relative linear motion between the second screw and nut.
Claims20
An actuator structured so as to be suitable for causing movement of an aircraft component which in use may flex, said actuator comprising first and second linear motion devices, wherein
- the first linear motion device comprises a first linear screw, a first nut, and a first prime mover arranged to impart relative linear motion between the first linear screw and the first nut,
- the second linear motion device comprises a second linear screw, a second nut, and a second prime mover arranged to impart relative linear motion between the second linear screw and the second nut,
- the actuator is arranged to be extended as a result of relative linear motion between the first linear screw and the first nut or relative linear motion between the second linear screw and the second nut,
- the first and second linear motion devices are arranged such that jamming of one of the first and second linear motion devices does not preclude operation of the other of the first and second linear motion devices, and
- the first linear motion device is back-driveable.
A kit of parts for manufacturing an actuator which includes first and second linear motion devices and is structured so as to be suitable for causing movement of an aircraft component which in use may flex, said kit comprising:
- a first linear screw which is a back-driveable screw,
- a first nut engageable with the first linear screw,
- a first prime mover arranged to impart relative linear motion between the first linear screw and the first nut, when the first nut is engaged with the first linear screw, to define the first linear motion device for extending the actuator as a result of relative linear motion between the first linear screw and the first nut,
- a second linear screw,
- a second nut engageable with the second linear screw, and
- a second prime mover arranged to impart relative linear motion between the second linear screw and the second nut, when the second nut is engaged with the second linear screw, to define the second linear motion device operable independently of the first linear motion device for extending the actuator as a result of relative linear motion between the second linear screw and the second nut.
An actuator for causing movement of an aircraft component, said actuator comprising first and second linear motion devices, wherein
- the first linear motion device comprises a first linear screw, a first nut, and a first prime mover arranged to impart relative linear motion between the first linear screw and the first nut,
- the second linear motion device comprises a second linear screw, a second nut, and a second prime mover arranged to impart relative linear motion between the second linear screw and the second nut,
- the actuator is arranged to be extended as a result of relative linear motion between the first linear screw and the first nut or relative linear motion between the second linear screw and the second nut,
- the first and second linear motion devices are arranged such that jamming of one of the first and second linear motion devices does not preclude operation of the other of the first and second linear motion devices, and
- rotational motion of any of the first linear screw and the first nut is independent of rotational motion of any of the second linear screw and the second nut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.