Integrated torque limiter/no-back device

An actuator comprising:

• an input shaft driven by a power drive unit;
• an output;
• a gear reduction for transmitting rotary motion from the input shaft to the output;
• and
• an integrated torque limiter/no-back device to ground additional torque from the power drive unit when engaged and to prevent backdriving of the input shaft, wherein the integrated torque limiter/no-back device comprises:
• an input ramp, wherein the input shaft transfers torque to the input ramp, and wherein the input ramp is one of a no-back ramp and a torque limiter ball ramp;
• a combined ball ramp that transmits torque, wherein the combined ball ramp comprises:
• a unitary body having a first face and a second face opposite the first face;
• one or more balls between the input ramp and the first face to transfer torque from the input ramp to the combined ball ramp;
• an output ramp that transfers torque to the gear reduction, wherein the output ramp is the other of the no-back ramp and the torque limiter ball ramp;
• one or more balls between the output ramp and the second face to transfer torque from the combined ball ramp to the output ramp;
• and
• a first brake to prevent movement of one or more of the torque limiter ball ramp, the combined ball ramp, and the no-back ball ramp when a torque threshold has been met;
• and a second brake to prevent movement of one or more of the torque limiter ball ramp, the combined ball ramp and the no-back ball ramp when the torque threshold has been met.

A method of limiting torque and backdriving through an actuator, the method comprising:

• receiving input torque at an input shaft;
• transmitting the input torque through an integrated torque limiter/no-back device, wherein the integrated torque limiter/no-back device comprises:
• an input ramp, wherein the input shaft transfers torque to the input ramp, and wherein the input ramp is one of a no-back ramp and a torque limiter ball ramp;
• a combined ramp to transfer torque, wherein the combined ramp comprises:
• a unitary body having a first face and a second face opposite the first face;
• an output ramp to transfer torque to the gear reduction, wherein the output ramp is the other of the no-back ramp and the torque limiter ball ramp;
• one or more balls between the input and the first face of the unitary body to transfer torque from the input ramp to the combined ramp;
• one or more balls between the output ramp and the second face of the unitary body to transfer torque from the combined ramp to the output ramp;
• a pin extending from the combined ramp to the output ramp for transferring torque;
• a first brake for causing torque to be grounded by preventing movement of one or more of the input ramp, the combined ramp and the output ramp when a torque threshold has been met;
• and
• a second brake for preventing backdriving of the input shaft by preventing movement of one or more of the torque limiter ball ramp, the combined ball ramp and the no-back ramp when the torque threshold has been met;
• sensing torque transferred through the one or more balls between the torque limiter ramp and the combined ramp;
• engaging the torque limiter when the torque transferred between the torque limiter ramp and the combined ramp reaches the torque threshold, causing the torque limiter ramp and the combined ramp to separate and engage the first brake;
• sensing torque transferred between the no-back ramp and the combined ramp;
• and
• engaging the no-back device when the torque transferred between the no-back ramp and the combined ramp reaches the torque threshold, causing the pin to disengage one of the no-back ramp and combined ramp, causing the torque to be transferred through the one or more balls and force the no-back ramp and the combined ramp to separate and engage the second brake.