US3986689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive arrangements for aircraft control surfaces
Assignee: ZF International UK Ltd
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Filing: 1975-11-04
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Granted: 1976-10-19
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Expires: 1995-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A drive arrangement for an aircraft control surface has an inner shaft extending through a hollow outer shaft. The inner and outer shafts are drivingly connected at their adjacent ends. A drive input is coupled to the outer shaft intermediate the ends thereof, and an actuator for a control surface is drivingly connected to the outer shaft between the drive input and one of the ends. The arrangement permits the actuator to be driven even if the outer shaft fractures between the actuator and the drive input.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter John Maltby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:35
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C13/00; B64C13/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A drive arrangement for an aircraft control surface, comprising an outer, hollow shaft arrangement, an inner shaft arrangement extending within said outer shaft arrangement, means for drivingly connecting both ends of said outer shaft arrangement to corresponding adjacent ends of said inner shaft arrangement, the driving connection between one of said outer shaft ends and its adjacent inner shaft end including first and second abutment members respectively rotatable with the inner and outer shafts, said members coacting so as to permit only limited relative movement between said shafts, drive means coupled to said outer shaft arrangement intermediate the ends thereof, and an actuator for said control surface, said actuator being drivingly connected to said outer shaft arrangement intermediate one end thereof and said drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A drive arrangement for an aircraft control surface, comprising an outer, hollow shaft arrangement, an inner shaft arrangement extending within said outer shaft arrangement, means for drivingly connecting both ends of said outer shaft arrangement to corresponding adjacent ends of said inner shaft arrangement, the driving connection between one of said outer shaft ends and its adjacent inner shaft end including first and second abutment members respectively rotatable with the inner and outer shafts, said members coacting so as to permit only limited relative movement between said shafts, drive means coupled to said outer shaft arrangement intermediate the ends thereof, and an actuator for said control surface, said actuator being drivingly connected to said outer shaft arrangement intermediate one end thereof and said drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which said outer and inner shaft arrangements respectively comprise a plurality of flexibly-coupled shaft elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which one of said abutment members can be disconnected from its driving engagement with the other of said abutments members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 which includes means, responsive to relative rotation between said abutment members, for generating an electrical signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which said actuator comprises a lead screw drivingly connected to said outer shaft arrangement, and a nut for connection to an aircraft control surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 which includes a plurality of said actuator arrangements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 6 in which said actuator arrangements are disposed on opposite sides of said drive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 in which said drive means comprises a hydraulic motor having two flow connections, means for applying the higher of a pair of nominally identical supply pressures to said motor, and a first valve for selectively applying said higher pressure to one of said connections and for connecting the other of said connections to a return line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 which includes means, responsive to a difference between desired and actual driven positions of said outer shaft arrangement, for operating said valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 9 in which the means for operating said valve comprises a mechanical linkage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 8 which includes means, responsive to predetermined driven positions of said outer shaft arrangement, for limiting fluid flow to said motor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 11 in which said flow-limiting means comprises a further valve in series between said motor and said first valve, and a linkage, operable by said outer shaft arrangement in predetermined angular positions thereof, for operating said further valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-19 | 1980-04-19 | 1980-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-19 | 1984-04-19 | 1984-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-19 | 1988-04-19 | 1988-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |