Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080216462 | SOLID PROPELLANT BURN RATE, PROPELLANT GAS FLOW RATE, AND PROPELLANT GAS PRESSURE PULSE GENERATION CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods of controlling solid propellant burn rate, propellant gas pressure, propellant gas pressure pulse shape, and propellant gas flow rate, rely on pulse width modulation of a control valve duty cycle. A control valve that is movable between a closed position and a full-open position is disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with, a solid propellant gas generator. The solid propellant in the solid propellant gas generator is ignited, to thereby generate propellant gas. The control valve is moved between the closed position and the full-open position at an operating frequency and with a valve duty cycle. The valve duty cycle is the ratio of a time the control valve is in the full-open position to a time it takes the valve to complete one movement cycle at the operating frequency. The valve duty cycle is controlled to attain a desired solid propellant burn rate, propellant gas pressure, propellant gas pressure pulse shape, and/or propellant gas flow rate. | 09-11-2008 |
20080251144 | CUTBACK POPPET VALVE - A valve includes a valve body and a free floating poppet. The valve body includes an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage therebetween. The free floating poppet is disposed in the valve body, and is moveable between at least a closed position, in which the free floating poppet at least substantially restricts fluid from flowing through the fluid flow passage, and an open position, in which fluid is allowed to flow through the fluid flow passage. The free floating poppet includes a base section and a cutback section. The base section has a first cross sectional area. The cutback section has a second cross sectional area that is less than the first cross sectional area. | 10-16-2008 |
20090056507 | ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS FOR COUPLING A COMPONENT TO AN ACTUATOR - Assemblies and methods are provided for use in coupling a component to an actuator, where the component includes a stem and a drive nut, and the stem is configured to be rotated by the actuator and to move linearly through an opening in the drive nut. In an embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling mechanism, a drive ring, and a carrier, where the coupling mechanism and the carrier each include slots and the drive ring includes projections that correspond with the slots. | 03-05-2009 |
20090062159 | NON-LUBRICATED COMPONENTS AND MACHINE SYSTEMS AND VEHICLES INCLUDING THE COMPONENTS - A non-lubricated component configured to have friction contact with another component and machine systems including the component are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, the non-lubricated component includes an outer surface consisting essentially of rhenium having a purity of at least 99%, by weight. The outer surface of the non-lubricated component is capable of being substantially wear- and gall-resistant when contacted by another component at a stress of above 50 ksi. | 03-05-2009 |
20090078524 | TORQUE LIMITING DEVICES FOR ACTUATORS - A torque limiting includes first and second rotational plates, first and second springs, and a slip device. The first rotational plate is coupled to a torque input device. The second rotational plate is coupled to a drive shaft, and is configured to be movable along an axial direction thereof. The first spring has a first free length, and exerts a first spring force against the second rotational plate toward the first rotational plate. The second spring has a second free length, smaller than the first free length, and selectively exerts a second spring force against the second rotational plate toward the first rotational plate. The slip device, disposed at least partially within or between the first and second rotational plates, causes relative motion between the first and second rotational plates when torque overcomes the combined first and second spring forces exerted against the second rotational plate. | 03-26-2009 |
20090159756 | AIRCRAFT FLIGHT CONTROL USER INTERFACE FLUID LINKAGE SYSTEM - A user interface fluid linkage system includes first and second user interfaces that are linked by a single, constant volume fluid line. The system includes identically configured, but oppositely mounted hydraulic fluid chambers to link motion between the first and second user interfaces. | 06-25-2009 |
20090211383 | EMERGENCY STOPS AND BRAKE DEVICES FOR MOTORS - An emergency stop for a brake device for a motor includes a blocking device, a spring, and an inhibiting material. The blocking device is movable between a first position, at which it allows rotation of the drive shaft, and a second position, at which it at least substantially stops rotation of a drive shaft of the motor. The spring is housed at least partially within the housing, and urges the blocking device toward the first position. The inhibiting material at least partially surrounds the blocking device and/or the spring, and has a melting point that is at least substantially known. The inhibiting material at least substantially prevents movement of the blocking device from the first to the second position when a temperature is below the melting point, and allows movement of the blocking device from the first to the second position when the temperature is above the melting point. | 08-27-2009 |
20090260343 | SOLID PROPELLANT MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods of controlling solid propellant burn rate, propellant gas pressure, propellant gas pressure pulse shape, and propellant gas flow rate, rely on the position of a throttling valve. A throttling valve that is movable to a control position is disposed downstream of, and in fluid communication with, a solid propellant gas generator, and in parallel with a plurality of reaction control valves. The solid propellant in the solid propellant gas generator is ignited, to thereby generate propellant gas. The throttling valve is moved to a control position to attain a desired solid propellant burn rate, propellant gas pressure, and/or propellant gas pressure pulse shape. | 10-22-2009 |
20090294240 | DRIVE SHAFT ADAPTED FOR USE BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENT MECHANISMS - A drive shaft is configured to be disposed between a drive mechanism and a plurality of driven mechanisms and to transfer a drive torque generated by the drive mechanism to one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. The drive shaft includes a first shaft section and a second shaft section. The first shaft section has a first outer diameter, and is dimensioned to be disposed within the drive mechanism, within one of the plurality of driven mechanisms, or simultaneously within the drive mechanism and one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. The first shaft section is also configured to at least selectively engage, and thereby at least selectively receive the drive torque generated in, the drive mechanism. The second shaft section is coupled to the first shaft section and has a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter. The second shaft section is dimensioned to be disposed within either the drive mechanism or one of the plurality of driven mechanisms. | 12-03-2009 |
20120104158 | COMPACT ELECTRIC TAXI ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLATION ON AN AIRCRAFT - A electric taxi system (ETS) for an aircraft may comprise drive units mounted coaxially with wheels of the aircraft and dedicated motor control units for the drive units. The motor control units may be operable independently of one another so that a first one of the drive units can be operated at a speed different from an operating speed of a second one of the drive units. Independent operability of the drive units may provide enhanced maneuverability of the aircraft during taxiing. | 05-03-2012 |
20120104159 | COMPACT ELECTRIC TAXI ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLATION ON AN AIRCRAFT - A electric taxi system (ETS) for an aircraft may comprise drive units mounted coaxially with wheels of the aircraft and dedicated motor control units for the drive units. The motor control units may be operable independently of one another so that a first one of the drive units can be operated at a speed different from an operating speed of a second one of the drive units. Independent operability of the drive units may provide enhanced maneuverability of the aircraft during taxiing. | 05-03-2012 |
20120126053 | AIRCRAFT ELECTRIC TAXI SYSTEM WITH FRICTION ACTUATED, BI-DIRECTIONAL CLUTCH - An electric taxi system (ETS) for an aircraft may comprise drive motors mounted coaxially with wheels of the aircraft. A clutch assembly may be interposed between the drive motor the wheel. The clutch assembly may transmit torque from the motor to the wheel when the wheel and a rotor of the motor rotate at the same rotational speed. The clutch assembly may selfdisengage a rotor of the motor from the wheel when the wheel rotates faster than the rotor. | 05-24-2012 |
20130026284 | AIRCRAFT TAXI SYSTEM INCLUDING DRIVE CHAIN - An aircraft taxi drive system includes a motor that is configured to transfer power to an aircraft wheel via a drive chain, such that the motor rotates the aircraft wheel via the drive chain. In some examples, the drive chain is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the drive chain, such as an exterior surface of the drive chain, is engaged with a driven sprocket that is mechanically connected to an aircraft wheel. In the second position, the drive chain is disengaged from the driven sprocket. | 01-31-2013 |
20130284854 | COMPACT ELECTRIC TAXI ASSEMBLY FOR INSTALLATION ON AN AIRCRAFT - A method of taxing an aircraft with an electric taxi system (ETS) comprising of drive units producing airflow through rotors to pre-cool drive motors and produce rotation of aircraft wheels. The drive motors may be used to produce reverse motion of the aircraft and of operating the drive motors independently of one another so one can operate at a rate of speed and/or direction that is different from the second one of the drive units which may provide enhanced maneuverability of the aircraft during taxing. The drive motors may be controlled to produce regenerative power producing a deceleration of the aircraft that does not shift a center of gravity of the aircraft. | 10-31-2013 |
20140124617 | AIRCRAFT ELECTRIC TAXI SYSTEM WITH FRICTION ACTUATED, BI-DIRECTIONAL CLUTCH - An electric taxi system (ETS) for an aircraft may comprise drive motors mounted coaxially with wheels of the aircraft. A clutch assembly may be interposed between the drive motor the wheel. The clutch assembly may transmit torque from the motor to the wheel when the wheel and a rotor of the motor rotate at the same rotational speed. The clutch assembly may self-disengage a rotor of the motor from the wheel when the wheel rotates faster than the rotor. | 05-08-2014 |