| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080203224 | Load optimized redundant flight control surface actuation system and method - An aircraft flight surface control system and method simultaneously provides the benefits of both an active/active system architecture and in active/standby system architecture. The system is preferably implemented using hydraulic actuator assemblies and electromechanical actuator assemblies coupled to the same flight control surface. During normal system operations the electromechanical actuator assemblies are energized to supply a relatively minimal force to associated flight control surfaces. In effect, the electromechanical actuators, although energized, may be pulled along by the associated hydraulic actuator assemblies, until needed. Thus, the electromechanical actuator assemblies are controlled in a manner that closely resembles the active/standby architecture. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080297120 | ELECTRONICALLY REDUNDANT SPACECRAFT POWER AND ATTITUDE CONTROL SYSTEM - An energy storage flywheel system for a spacecraft is implemented with an electronically redundant power and attitude control system. In particular, the system includes a plurality of flywheels, and a multi-channel processing module and a multi-channel power control module associated with each flywheel. Each multi-channel processing module includes a plurality of controllers that may be operated in either an active or a standby mode, and each multi-channel power control module includes a plurality of power control circuits that may also be operated in either an active or standby mode. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090039205 | AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROL USER INTERFACE LINKAGE SYSTEM - A user interface linkage system includes first and second user interfaces that are linked by a single hydraulic circuit. The system is configured to provide compensation for relatively slow changes in hydraulic fluid pressure due, for example, to temperature variations. The system is also configured to allow the user interfaces to be selectively unlinked from each other. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090045979 | TWO-DIMENSIONAL POSITION SENSING SYSTEM - A position sensing system includes a plurality of two-axis anisotropic magneto-resistive (AMR) sensors to determine the position of a user interface. A magnetic member is coupled to the user interface, which is movable to a position along a random path. The plurality of two-axis AMR sensors is arranged in a two-dimensional sensor array that is spaced apart from the magnetic member. A signal processor circuit is operable to sense the electrical resistance values of each two-axis AMR sensor, to determine the position of the user interface from the resistance values, and to supply position feedback data representative of the determined position. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090072083 | Actuation system with redundant motor actuators - A multi-redundant motor may be used to implement a relatively small, lightweight redundant actuator assembly package. The motor is implemented as a brushless DC motor and includes N-number of stators and M-number of rotors. Each stator has a plurality of independent stator coils disposed thereon, and N is an integer greater than two. Each permanent magnet rotor is disposed between, and is spaced axially apart from, two of the stators. Each rotor has a plurality of magnetic dipoles disposed thereon, and M is an integer equal to (N−1). | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090102413 | ELECTROMECHANICAL FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROTORCRAFT - Flight control systems and methods for rotorcraft are provided. The flight control system includes a user input device and a motor in operable communication with the user input device. The motor includes a plurality of winding sets and an armature coupled to the plurality of winding sets. The armature includes multiple magnets. The winding sets and the armature are configured such that when one or more of the plurality of winding sets are selectively energized, the armature moves relative to the one or more of the plurality of winding sets. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090125166 | ACTIVE USER INTERFACE HAPTIC FEEDBACK AND LINKING CONTROL SYSTEM USING EITHER FORCE OR POSITION DATA - A system and method are provided for supplying haptic feedback to, and for electronically linking, pilot and co-pilot user interfaces. The user interface haptic feedback and linking are implemented using either force or position data. If the force or position data become unavailable, then position or force data, respectively, are used to implement the user interface haptic feedback and linking. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090128084 | MOTOR HAVING CONTROLLABLE TORQUE - A controllable motor includes a rotor. A first stator winding set is operable, upon being energized, to generate and apply a first torque to the rotor. A second stator winding set independent of the first stator winding set is operable, upon being energized, to generate and apply a second torque to the rotor. A motor control is coupled to the first and second stator winding sets. The motor control is operable to selectively energize one of the first or second stator winding sets to thereby generate and apply one of the first or second torques to the rotor, and simultaneously energize both the first and second stator winding sets to thereby generate and apply a third torque greater than the first or the second torque. | 05-21-2009 |
| 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 |
| 20090266939 | ACTIVE PILOT INCEPTOR WITH SELF WARM-UP - An active pilot inceptor system includes a pilot inceptor, a multi-phase motor, and a motor control. The pilot inceptor is configured to receive user input and is operable, in response to the user input, to move to a control position. The multi-phase motor is coupled to the pilot inceptor to selectively supply haptic feedback thereto. The motor control is operable to selectively energize the multi-phase motor in a manner that causes the multi-phase motor to generate torque and supply the haptic feedback to the inceptor, and to selectively energize the multi-phase motor in a manner that the multi-phase motor does not generate torque. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090266948 | HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE TWO AXIS GIMBAL MECHANISM - A relatively simple, relatively small, relatively light-weight, and relatively inexpensive two-axis gimbal mechanism for a human-machine interface is provided. The gimbal assembly includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a center body, a first centering mechanism, and a second centering mechanism. The first bracket and second brackets each includes a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm. The first and second arms form substantially L-shaped sections and the third arms substantially perpendicular from the first arms. The center body is disposed between the L-shaped sections, and is rotatable from a null position about first and second rotational axes. The first and second centering mechanisms are coupled to the third arms of the first and second brackets, respectively, and are configured to supply a first centering force that urges the center body toward a null position when the center body is rotated about the rotational axes. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20100001678 | MOTOR CONTROL ARCHITECTURE FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CONTROLLING MULTIPLE MOTORS - A motor control architecture is provided that simultaneously controls multiple motors. The motor control system includes memory, a plurality of motor control processors, and a communication controller. The motor control processors are each responsive to control signals supplied from the communication controller to selectively retrieve system commands and motor positions from the memory, to generate motor commands, and to supply the generated motor commands to the memory. The communication controller selectively receives system commands and transmits the received system commands to the memory, selectively supplies the command signals to selected ones of the motor control processors, selectively receives motor positions from a plurality of motors, selectively transmits motor positions to the memory, selectively retrieves generated motor commands supplied to the memory, and selectively transmits the retrieved motor commands. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100025539 | ACTIVE CONTROL STICK ASSEMBLY INCLUDING TRACTION DRIVE - An active control stick assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the active control stick assembly includes a housing assembly, a control stick coupled to the assembly housing for rotation about at least a first rotational axis, a first artificial force feel (AFF) motor disposed in the housing assembly, and a first traction drive mechanically coupling the first AFF motor to the control stick. A controller is operatively coupled to the first AFF motor. The controller is configured to selectively activate the first AFF motor to supply a torque through the first traction drive and acting on the control stick about the first rotational axis. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100052477 | LARGE STROKE PIEZO ACTUATOR - An actuator device configured to provide a large stroke output. The actuator device including a first piezo element and a second piezo element disposed within a housing. The first piezo element and the second piezo element having a combined long dimension and a height, wherein the long dimension is greater than the height. A fluid region containing a hydraulic fluid is defined in the piezo actuator element at a mid-point of the long dimension and extending parallel with the height of the piezo actuator element. An amplifier including a piston element is slidably coupled to the fluid region. The amplifier provides a large stroke output of the piston element at a mid-point of the long dimension of the piezo actuator elements in response to displacement of the fluid within the fluid region when under the influence of an applied voltage. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100071496 | ACTIVE CONTROL STICK ASSEMBLY - An active control stick assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the active control stick assembly includes a housing assembly, and a control stick support body mounted within the housing assembly for rotation about two substantially orthogonal and co-planar rotational axes. A control stick is fixedly coupled to the control stick support body and rotatable along therewith from a null position to a plurality of control positions. A first spring element is coupled between the housing assembly and the control stick support body and passively biases the control stick toward the null position. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100072842 | DUAL DRIVE ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR WITH CENTER OUTPUT - Electromechanical actuators (EMAs) are provided that include an output disposed at a location that is axially central between two EM devices. The EMAs include either one or two motors and an output mechanism. The motors are adapted to be energized and are operable, upon being energized, to either generate torques about a first axis or drive forces along a first axis. The output mechanism is responsive to the torques or forces to translate along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100084517 | ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - Electromechanical actuation systems and methods are provided. The electromechanical actuation system includes first, second, and third linear actuators having respective first, second, and third ranges of motion and an output member coupled to the first, second, and third linear actuators such that a position of a selected portion of the output member is based on actuation of the first, second, and third linear actuators. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100089053 | HYBRID ELECTROMECHANICAL/HYDRO-MECHANICAL ACTUATION CONTROL SYSTEM - A hybrid actuation system includes one or more electromechanical actuators, one or more master hydraulic actuators, and a slave hydraulic actuator. Each electromechanical actuator is adapted to be controllably energized and is configured, upon being controllably energized, to supply a drive force. Each master hydraulic actuator is coupled to receive the drive force from an electromechanical actuator and is configured, upon receipt of the drive force, to at least selectively supply pressurized hydraulic fluid. The slave hydraulic actuator is in fluid communication with the master hydraulic actuator to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid therefrom. The slave hydraulic actuator is responsive to pressurized hydraulic fluid supplied from the master hydraulic actuator to move to a control position. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100188267 | HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE WITH INTEGRATED POSITION SENSORS AND PASSIVE HAPTIC FEEDBACK DEVICES - A system and method for determining the input force supplied to a user interface by a user is provided. A passive feedback mechanism is coupled to the user interface, and a change in position of the passive feedback mechanism is sensed. The input force supplied by the user to the user interface is then calculated from the sensed change in position. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100275710 | Ballscrew with an integral high-efficiency thrust bearing - A linear actuator includes a thrust bearing that is integral to the actuation member. The actuator includes a translation member and an actuation member. The actuation member is responsive to a drive force to rotate. The translation member is configured to translate in response to actuation member. The thrust bearing is coupled to the actuation member and includes an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of balls. The thrust bearing is configured as a zero lead ballscrew, with the inner race integrally formed on the actuation member, and the plurality of balls disposed between the inner and outer races. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100282892 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR AN EXOATMOSPHERIC KILL VEHICLE - A control system for a maneuverable kill vehicle is provided. The control system includes a pressurized fluid source configured to provide a pressurized fluid, a valve in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source, and a voice coil actuator comprising a magnet and a conductive coil oriented relative to the magnet such that when current flows through the coil, the coil moves relative to the magnet. The voice coil actuator is coupled to the valve such that the relative movement of the coil causes an adjustment in a flow rate of the pressurized fluid through the valve. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20110031424 | HIGH ACCURACY, ZERO BACKLASH ROTARY-TO-LINEAR ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR - An electromechanical actuator is provided for converting rotary action into linear action, and includes an electric motor, a cable yoke, an output shaft, and a pair of cables. The electric motor is adapted to be selectively energized and is configured, upon being energized to generate a drive torque. The cable yoke is coupled to receive the drive torque and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to rotate about a rotational axis. The output shaft is coupled to receive a drive force and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to translate along a linear axis that is disposed at least substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis. Each cable is wound, in pretension, on a portion of the cable yoke and around a portion of the output shaft. The pair of cables is configured, upon rotation of the cable yoke, to supply the drive force to the output shaft. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110132704 | BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY WITH LINE REPLACEABLE MOTOR FEATURES - An aircraft brake system electromechanical actuator is provided. The actuator is configured with features that allow the electric motor to be a line replaceable unit. One such feature is a foreign-object-damage shield that inhibits dust, debris, and/or other particulate contaminants from entering the electromechanical actuator during electric motor removal and replacement. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110148666 | USER INTERFACE PASSIVE HAPTIC FEEDBACK SYSTEM - A user interface system includes a user interface and a plurality of torsion bars. The user interface is configured to rotate, from a null position, about two perpendicular rotational axes. The plurality of torsion bars are coupled to the user interface and include two or more torsion bars disposed along a first one of the rotational axes and two or more torsion bars disposed along a second one of the rotational axes. Each torsion bar is configured to selectively supply a feedback force to the user interface that opposes the rotational direction and that varies as a function of the control position and the rotational direction. The system provides for the setting and adjustment of a preload force to the user interface, for retaining the set preload force, for passively returning the user interface to its null position, and for preventing each passive mechanism from introducing additional force into adjacent vectors. | 06-23-2011 |
