Blow down actuator assembly
AssigneeAero Controlex Group Inc.
InventorsChristopher L. Fenn, Patrick Cronin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An actuator assembly includes an actuation member, a release member, and a source of pressurized gas, wherein during a normal mode of operation, the actuation member and the release member are engaged to move in unison, and wherein during an emergency mode of operation, pressurized gas automatically decouples the actuation member from the release member to move separately. In accordance with yet other aspects of the present disclosure, an electro-mechanical actuator includes an electro-mechanical drive system and an integrated backup system operated by a gas generator, wherein when the backup system is activated, the electro-mechanical drive system is decoupled and the actuator moves to a predetermined position and mechanically locks in place.
Claims10
An actuator assembly, comprising:
- an actuation member;
- a release member;
- and
- a source of pressurized gas;
- a securing mechanism, wherein the securing mechanism releasably locks the actuation member to the release member during a normal mode of operation;
- a cover tube having an end cap and a seal plug;
- an expandable retention ring housed toward a distal end of the cover tube, wherein the actuation member includes a circumferential retention groove, the expandable retention ring being biased to compress into the retention groove when the actuation member extends a predetermined distance from the end cap of the cover tube;
- and
- a nut adapter coupled to the ball nut and the release member, the nut adapter being configured with a release mechanism for expanding the expandable retention ring when the release member is secured to the actuation member,
- wherein the expandable retention ring comprises at least two arcuate sections;
- wherein during the normal mode of operation, the actuation member and the release member are engaged to move in unison;
- and
- wherein during an emergency mode of operation, pressurized gas automatically decouples the actuation member from the release member to move separately.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.