Articulable rotational coupling for an aircraft

An articulable rotational coupling comprising:

• first and second shafts;
• a universal joint coupling the first and second shaft and configured to provide a first maximum angle between the first and second shafts, wherein the first and second shafts respectively include first and second yokes coupled to one another by a knuckle;
• a stop assembly configured to provide a second maximum angle between the first and second shafts that is less than the first maximum angle;
• and
• wherein each of the first and second yokes include spaced apart lateral sides, and the knuckle is disposed radially inwardly of the lateral sides and joining the yokes to one another, wherein the first yoke includes a wall interconnecting the lateral sides of the first yoke to provide an enclosed space within which the knuckle is arranged, wherein the stop assembly includes a protrusion extending from the wall and configured to cooperate with the second shaft to establish the second maximum angle, wherein the second shaft includes a socket receiving the protrusion.

An articulable rotational coupling comprising:

• first and second shafts;
• a universal joint coupling the first and second shaft and configured to provide a first maximum angle between the first and second shafts, wherein the first and second shafts respectively include first and second yokes coupled to one another by a knuckle;
• a stop assembly configured to provide a second maximum angle between the first and second shafts that is less than the first maximum angle;
• and
• wherein each of the first and second yokes include spaced apart lateral sides, and the knuckle is disposed radially inwardly of the lateral sides and joining the yokes to one another, wherein the first yoke includes a wall interconnecting the lateral sides of the first yoke to provide an enclosed space within which the knuckle is arranged, wherein the stop assembly includes a protrusion extending from the wall and configured to cooperate with the second shaft to establish the second maximum angle, wherein the protrusion includes first and second radiused areas and a neck, and the second shaft includes a surface engaging the neck to define the second maximum angle.

An articulable rotational coupling comprising:

• first and second shafts;
• a universal joint coupling the first and second shaft and configured to provide a first maximum angle between the first and second shafts, wherein the first and second shafts respectively include first and second yokes coupled to one another by a knuckle;
• and
• a stop assembly configured to provide a second maximum angle between the first and second shafts that is less than the first maximum angle, wherein the stop assembly includes a first stop feature provided by the first yoke, and second stop feature provided by the second yoke, the first and second stop features engaging one another to provide the second maximum angle.

An airfoil surface control system comprising:

• a wing having a movable surface;
• an actuator coupled to the surface;
• a motor;
• and
• a torque tube assembly operatively coupling the motor and actuator and including first and second shafts coupled by a universal joint, the universal joint configured to provide a first maximum angle between the first and second shafts, and a stop assembly configured to provide a second maximum angle between the first and second shafts that is less than the first maximum angle;
• and
• wherein the first and second shafts respectively include first and second yokes coupled to one another by a knuckle, a boot enclosing the universal joint, each of the first and second yokes include spaced apart lateral sides, and the knuckle is disposed radially inwardly of the lateral sides and joining the yokes to one another, wherein the stop assembly includes a first stop feature provided by the first yoke, and second stop feature provided by the second yoke, the first and second stop features engaging one another to provide the second maximum angle.