Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090178502 | HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE WITH PASSIVE SOFT STOPS - A human-machine interface assembly includes a user interface and a passive force feedback mechanism. The user interface is configured, upon receipt of an input force that exceeds a null breakout force, to move from a null position to a first control position and, upon receipt of an input force that exceeds a soft stop force, to move beyond the first control position. The passive force feedback mechanism is coupled to the user interface and is configured to supply the null breakout force to the user interface when the user interface is in the null position, and supply the soft stop force to the user interface when the user interface is in the first control position. The soft stop force exceeds the null breakout force and is not supplied to the user interface unless the user interface is in the first control position. | 07-16-2009 |
20090183596 | APPARATUS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING A ROTATABLE OBJECT IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION - An apparatus is provided for biasing a shaft toward, and releasably securing it in, a predetermined position. The apparatus comprises a magnetic assembly coupled to the shaft for releasably securing the shaft in a predetermined position, a first member coupled to and extending from the shaft for rotating the shaft from the predetermined position, and a spring assembly coupled to the shaft for securing the shaft in the predetermined position. | 07-23-2009 |
20090261279 | VALVE ACTUATOR AND THROTTLE VALVE ASSEMBLY EMPLOYING THE SAME - Embodiments of a valve actuator are provided for adjusting the position of a main valve element in relation to the pressure of a fluid supplied by a supply duct. The valve actuator includes a housing, a control pressure valve disposed in the housing, and a piston slidably disposed in the housing and mechanically coupled to the main valve element. The housing has a control pressure chamber therein, which is configured to be fluidly coupled to the supply duct. The control pressure valve is configured to substantially impede fluid flow into the control pressure chamber until the fluid pressure within the supply duct surpasses a minimum actuation pressure. The piston normally resides in a first position and is configured to move toward a second position as the pressure within the control pressure chamber increases. | 10-22-2009 |
20100006788 | VALVE ASSEMBLY HAVING MAGNETICALLY-ENERGIZED SEAL MECHANISM - A valve assembly is provided that includes a flowbody, a valve element movably disposed within the flowbody, and a magnetically-energized seal mechanism. The magnetically-energized seal mechanism includes a wiper seal carried by one of the flowbody and the valve element and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A first magnetic element is fixedly coupled to the wiper seal, and a second magnetic element is fixedly coupled to one of the flowbody and the valve element. The second magnetic element magnetically repels the first magnetic element to bias the wiper seal toward the extended position. | 01-14-2010 |
20100019184 | VALVE SEAL WITH INTEGRAL FLEXURE JOINTS - A valve seal for use with a valve having a valve element including a plurality of radiused corners. The valve element is rotatably mounted within a frame disposed in a flowbody. The valve seal including a plurality of curved portions in cooperative alignment with the radiused corners of the valve element. The valve seal being partially disposed within a mounting groove formed in an edge surface about a substantial portion of the valve element. A plurality of flexure joints are formed in the seal member and in spaced relation from the curved portions. The plurality of flexure joints providing spring loading of the seal relative to the frame when the valve element is in a closed position. | 01-28-2010 |
20100019185 | ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE BONDING MEANS FOR DEVICE COMPONENTS - A bonding means for electrically coupling a first component and a second component at an interface. The bonding means including at least one electrically conductive bonding puck positioned between the first component and the second component. The bonding puck being disposed within a recess formed in at least one of the first component and the second component. The at least one electrically conductive bonding puck providing electrical bonding between the first component and the second component and establishing electrical continuity therebetween. | 01-28-2010 |
20100096503 | OUTFLOW VALVE HAVING J-SHAPED BELLMOUTH AND CABIN PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE SAME - An outflow valve is provided for use in conjunction with an actuator. In one embodiment, the outflow valve includes a frame and a first door rotatably coupled to the frame. The outflow valve is configured to be moved by the actuator between an open position and a closed position. The first door includes: (i) a main body having a sealing edge, and (ii) a J-shaped bellmouth fixedly coupled to the main body proximate the sealing edge. The J-shaped bellmouth is configured to condition fluid flow through the outflow valve when the first door is in the open position. | 04-22-2010 |
20100102168 | OFFSET ATTACHMENT BOSS FOR RIBBED STRUCTURES - An offset attachment boss for ribbed structure and aircraft components. The ribbed structure including a first plurality of rib members and a second plurality of rib members configured to define a plurality of intersections. At least one offset attachment boss is formed at an intersection of at least one of the first plurality of rib members and at least one of the second plurality of rib members. An anchoring bore is formed in a central aspect of the at least one offset attachment boss and configured to receive a fastener. | 04-29-2010 |
20100240291 | OUTFLOW VALVE POSITION INDICATION - An aircraft cabin pressure control system outflow valve includes a frame, a valve element, and a position sensor. The frame is configured to be mounted on an aircraft exterior skin. The valve element is rotationally coupled to the frame, and is coupled to receive an actuation drive force. The valve element is responsive to the actuation drive force to rotate to a position between a closed position and a plurality of open positions. The position sensor is coupled to the frame and is configured to directly sense rotation of the valve element and supply a position signal representative of valve element position. | 09-23-2010 |
20110177770 | OUTFLOW VALVE HAVING FLEXIBLE BELLMOUTH AND CABIN PRESSURE CONTROL SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE SAME - Embodiments of an outflow valve are provided for use in conjunction with an actuator. In one embodiment, the outflow valve includes a frame and a first door rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to be moved by the actuator between an open position and a closed position. The first door includes: (i) a main body, (ii) a bellmouth fixedly coupled to the main body, and (iii) a plurality of longitudinally-spaced slots formed through the bellmouth and increasing the flexibility thereof. | 07-21-2011 |
20120064813 | CABIN PRESSURE THRUST RECOVERY OUTFLOW VALVE WITH SINGLE DOOR - A single valve door thrust recovery outflow valve is provided that does not rely on a relatively large and expensive actuator to move it, and does not create unwanted drag during aircraft cruise operations. The valve includes a valve frame, a valve door, and an aerodynamic flap. The valve door is rotationally coupled to the valve frame, is adapted to receive a drive torque, and is configured, upon receipt of the drive torque, to rotate between a closed position, a full-open position, and a plurality of partial-open positions between the closed position and the full-open position. The aerodynamic flap is coupled to the valve door. When the valve door is in the closed position and in numerous partial-open positions, the aerodynamic flap makes the thrust recovery outflow valve aerodynamically clean. | 03-15-2012 |
20120234408 | CHECK VALVE WITH AXIAL THRUST ELEMENT - A split flapper check valve includes one or more additional bushing/bearing surface areas for controlling check valve flapper position along the axis of the hinge pin. This is accomplished by adding one or more grounded bushings between the flappers. The one or more grounded bushings is/are non-rotationally coupled to the hinge pin, and thus grounded to the check valve housing, so that the flappers can bear against this additional surface. The additional bearing area has the effect of increasing the axial bearing surface area according to the number of additional ground lugs that are used, without increasing the diameter of the flapper lugs. | 09-20-2012 |
20130186497 | CABIN PRESSURE OUTFLOW VALVE WITH SIMPLIFIED WHISTLE ELIMINATOR - An aircraft cabin pressure control system outflow valve includes a frame, a valve element, and a vortex generator structure. The vortex generator structure is coupled to the valve element and is rotatable therewith, and includes a plurality of first vortex generators and a plurality of second vortex generators. The first vortex generators spaced are apart from each other and are configured to generate first vortices when the valve element is in an open position and fluid flows through the flow passage. The second vortex generators are formed in each of the first vortex generators and are spaced apart from each other. The second vortex generators are each configured to generate second vortices, which are smaller than the first vortices, when the valve element is in an open position and fluid flows through the flow passage. | 07-25-2013 |