Dual drive redundant load transmission device and method

Abstract

A redundant load transmission device includes an input shaft configured to receive rotational torque from a primary drive, an output shaft configured to deliver rotational torque to an actuator, and a coupling assembly configured to connect the input shaft to the output shaft to deliver rotational torque. The input shaft is configured to receive rotational torque from the primary drive and deliver rotational torque through the coupling assembly when the coupling assembly is in a primary drive configuration. The coupling assembly is configured to disconnect from the input shaft and deliver rotational torque from a secondary drive to the output shaft when the coupling assembly is in a secondary drive configuration.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 128,336, filed December 21, 2020, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference for all purposes, as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a transmission device for an actuator. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a redundant load transmission device and method for an actuator. This disclosure further relates to a redundant drive system and method for an actuator. Background Technology

[0004] Electromechanical actuators are well-known in the automotive, aerospace, and other industries. Actuators typically have only a single drive system and may fail to actuate properly during mechanical failures. Actuator failure in critical applications is highly undesirable and can lead to significant safety issues and potentially severe equipment damage.

[0005] For example, one application of electromechanical actuators is in the landing gear system of an aircraft. The aircraft's landing gear system must reliably deploy from the retracted position to the extended position during landing. In some arrangements, the landing gear deploys by rotating about a pivot in response to the operation of an actuator such as an electromechanical linear actuator.

[0006] In the event of a mechanical failure within the actuator, the landing gear actuator will typically fail to deploy. In particular, many landing gear actuators have only a single drive system, and may fail to deploy properly during a mechanical failure of that single drive system. For example, the single drive system may jam during a failure, preventing further movement of the transmission and actuator. Landing gear actuator failure is highly undesirable and can pose significant safety risks and the potential for serious damage to the aircraft.

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to have actuators with redundant systems in order to overcome mechanical failures and improve safety and limit equipment damage. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This disclosure largely satisfies the aforementioned needs, describing a redundant load transmission mechanism for an actuator. In one aspect, the actuator may be configured to actuate and extend the landing gear of an aircraft. In one aspect, the actuator may be configured to actuate the flight surface of an aircraft. In one aspect, the actuator may be configured to actuate the flight surface of an aircraft, the flight surface including one of the following: ailerons, elevators, leading-edge flaps, leading-edge slots, ground spoilers, inboard flaps, inboard ailerons, inboard aileron flaps, outboard flaps, counterslips, outboard ailerons, flight spoilers, trim flaps, slats, air brakes, elevator trim, control horns, rudder trim, aileron trim, etc. In one aspect, the actuator may be configured to actuate components of an aircraft, such as thrust reversers, weapon systems, in-flight refueling systems, tailhook grappling systems, and / or similar components.

[0009] One aspect includes a redundant load drive comprising: an input shaft configured to receive rotational torque from a primary drive; an output shaft configured to transmit the rotational torque to an actuator; and a coupling assembly configured to connect the input shaft to the output shaft to transmit the rotational torque; the input shaft being configured to receive the rotational torque from the primary drive and transmit the rotational torque through the coupling assembly when the coupling assembly is in a primary drive configuration; and the coupling assembly being configured to disconnect from the input shaft and transmit the rotational torque from the auxiliary drive to the output shaft when the coupling assembly is in an auxiliary drive configuration.

[0010] In one aspect, a redundant load drive includes: an input shaft configured to receive rotational torque from a primary drive; an output shaft configured to transmit the rotational torque to an actuator; and a coupling assembly configured to connect the input shaft to the output shaft to transmit the rotational torque; the input shaft is configured to receive the rotational torque from the primary drive and transmit the rotational torque through the coupling assembly when the coupling assembly is in a primary drive configuration; and the coupling assembly is configured to disconnect from the input shaft and transmit rotational torque from the auxiliary drive to the output shaft when the coupling assembly is in an auxiliary drive configuration.

[0011] In one aspect, the redundant load drive may further include an emergency controller. The emergency controller may be implemented by hardware as described herein. In this respect, the redundant load drive can be activated by applying power to the emergency controller. In one aspect, the redundant load drive may be configured to operate in a normal mode and further configured to perform health monitoring. The health monitoring may be implemented by hardware as described herein.

[0012] In one aspect, the redundant load drive may further include: a controller electrically communicating with the primary drive and the auxiliary drive; and a sensor configured to send a signal to the controller when the primary drive configuration has failed. The controller may be configured to switch the redundant load drive from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration in response to receiving the signal from the sensor. A landing gear system may include the redundant load drive described above, wherein the actuator may include a landing gear actuator configured to extend and retract the landing gear.

[0013] Therefore, certain aspects of this disclosure have been outlined rather broadly in order to provide a better understanding of the detailed description herein and of the present contribution in the art. Additional aspects of this disclosure will, of course, be described below, and these additional aspects will form the subject matter of the appended claims.

[0014] In this regard, before explaining at least one aspect of this disclosure in detail, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited in its application to the construction details and arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. This disclosure is capable of achieving aspects other than those described and can be practiced and performed in various ways. Furthermore, it should be understood that the phrases and terms used herein and in the abstract are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered limiting.

[0015] Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the concepts upon which this disclosure is based can be readily used as the basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for performing the various purposes of this disclosure. Therefore, it is important that the claims be considered to include such equivalent constructions, as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an actuator system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figure 2A The figure shows an end view of a redundant load drive according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 2B The diagram illustrates the following: Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of a redundant load drive system.

[0019] Figure 3 An exploded view of a portion of a redundant load transmission device according to one aspect of this disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] This disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout. Various aspects of this disclosure advantageously provide a transmission device for providing redundant drive for an actuator.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an actuator system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is shown.

[0022] Actuator system 101 may include a redundant load drive 100, which may be connected to a primary drive 150 for driving actuator 154 in a primary drive configuration. In this respect, rotation of the primary drive 150 may generate torque applied to the redundant load drive 100 via input shaft 104. The redundant load drive 100 may then output torque to actuator 154 to operate actuator 154 via output shaft 112.

[0023] The redundant load drive 100 can be configured to disconnect from the primary drive 150 in the event of a failure of the primary drive 150. In one aspect, disconnecting the primary drive 150 from the redundant load drive 100 can be to ensure continued operation of both the redundant load drive 100 and the actuator 154. In this regard, a failure of the primary drive 150 can include a failure that prevents further rotation of the drive shaft or other components of the primary drive 150. For example, the primary drive 150 may jam. This type of failure would result in the drive not rotating and the actuator 154 failing to actuate.

[0024] Therefore, disconnecting the primary drive 150 from the redundant load drive 100 prevents the redundant load drive 100 from being rotationally locked due to a failure of the primary drive 150 to rotate. Thus, the redundant load drive 100 can be disconnected from the primary drive motor, and thereafter, the redundant load drive 100 can be driven by the auxiliary drive 152 via the input shaft 136, which in turn drives the actuator 154 via the output shaft 112.

[0025] Actuator 154 can be configured to actuate any type of automobile, aircraft, and / or similar type of component. In one aspect, actuator 154 can be configured to actuate and extend the landing gear of an aircraft. In one aspect, actuator 154 can be configured to actuate the flight surface of an aircraft. In one aspect, actuator 154 can be configured to actuate the flight surface of an aircraft, said flight surface including one of the following: aileron, elevator, leading-edge flap, leading-edge slot, ground spoiler, inboard flap, inboard aileron, inboard aileron flap, outboard flap, counterslip, outboard aileron, flight spoiler, trim flap, slat, air brake, elevator trim, control horn, rudder trim, aileron trim, etc. In one aspect, actuator 154 can be configured to actuate components of an aircraft, such as thrust reversers, weapon systems, in-flight refueling systems, tailhook grabbing systems, etc.

[0026] Figure 2A The figure shows an end view of a redundant load drive according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2B The diagram illustrates the following: Figure 2A A cross-sectional view of a redundant load drive system.

[0028] The redundant load drive 100 may include a main drive system 200. In various aspects, the main drive system 200 may include a main coupling 102 driven by the input shaft 104 of the main drive 150. The main coupling 102 may have gears or other driven means and splines or other means of connecting the main coupling 102 to the output shaft 112.

[0029] Specifically, the main coupling 102 may have gear teeth on its outer diameter, such as... Figure 2A As illustrated in the figure, the gear teeth of the main coupling 102 can mesh with the gear teeth on the input shaft 104. Additionally, the main coupling 102 may include splines on its inner diameter. The splines of the main coupling 102 can mesh with corresponding splines on the output shaft 112.

[0030] The output shaft 112 may be controlled and may use bearing 126 or other means to provide axial support. The output shaft 112 may utilize thrust bearing 115 to provide a means of transmitting tensile and compressive loads to a grounded component (such as a housing). Thrust bearing 115 may also be used to isolate rotation in the primary load path, allowing only the intended components of the redundant load drive 100 to rotate. The primary drive system 200 may include springs or other components that apply force between the output shaft 112 and the primary coupling 102 to maintain the alignment of the input shaft 104, the primary coupling 102, and the output shaft 112.

[0031] The redundant load drive 100 includes an emergency drive system 202. The emergency drive system 202 may include an auxiliary drive coupling 120, which is driven by an auxiliary drive 152 and an auxiliary shaft 116. The auxiliary drive coupling 120 may have gears or other driven mechanisms, as well as splines or other mechanisms for connecting the auxiliary drive coupling 120 to the output shaft 112.

[0032] Specifically, the auxiliary drive coupling 120 may have gear teeth on its outer diameter. The gear teeth of the auxiliary drive coupling 120 can mesh with gear teeth on the input shaft 136. Additionally, the auxiliary drive coupling 120 may include splines on its inner diameter. The splines of the auxiliary drive coupling 120 can mesh with corresponding splines on the output shaft 112.

[0033] The auxiliary drive coupling 120 can remain in the retracted position unless acted upon by the auxiliary drive 152. When commanded, the auxiliary drive 152 rotates the auxiliary shaft 116, which in turn rotates the auxiliary drive coupling 120.

[0034] The transition from the primary drive 150 to the auxiliary drive 152 may include a transition mechanism 31 and / or a linear drive mechanism to translate the auxiliary drive 152 onto the output shaft 112 and move the primary drive system 200 to disengage from the output shaft 112. The transition mechanism 31, when commanded, utilizes a transition coupling 118 that may include a helical gear or other device.

[0035] When a transition from the primary drive 150 to the auxiliary drive 152 occurs, the auxiliary drive coupling 120 is actuated and can compress one or more springs 130. In various respects, one or more springs 130 may be arranged between the output shaft 112 and the primary coupling 102. During the transition, the primary coupling 102 may be driven away from the spline or other connecting device of the output shaft 112, while the auxiliary drive coupling 120 transitions onto the output shaft 112. Once a linear transition from the primary drive 150 to the auxiliary drive 152 has been completed, the redundant load drive 100 may begin to transmit torque to the output shaft 112.

[0036] Figure 3 An exploded view of a portion of a redundant load transmission device according to one aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0037] In particular, Figure 3The illustration shows components for providing a transition of auxiliary drive 152 from primary drive 150. Transition mechanism 31 may include a ground housing, a transition coupling 118 which may have gears or other means to allow the transition coupling 118 to be driven, and an auxiliary drive coupling 120. When commanded, transition coupling 118 may be driven by an input shaft 136, which may be implemented as a transition shaft, as illustrated, which is rotatable and translates the assembly in the direction of primary drive system 200. The linear movement of transition coupling 118 may move auxiliary drive coupling 120 (in this example, the auxiliary drive coupling is held on both sides by thrust bearings 115) and primary coupling 102 away from the spline or equivalent connection structure of output shaft 112, thereby compressing spring 130 as auxiliary drive coupling 120 transitions onto the spline of output shaft 112. In this example, the thrust bearing 115 ensures that only linear motion is the sole force used to transition from the primary drive 150 to the auxiliary drive 152.

[0038] The redundant load drive 100 may implement a controller. In one aspect, the redundant load drive 100 may be implemented as an emergency controller. The emergency controller may be implemented by hardware as described herein. In this respect, the redundant load drive 100 may be activated by applying power to the emergency controller. In one aspect, the redundant load drive may be configured to operate in a normal mode and further configured to perform health monitoring. The health monitoring may be implemented by hardware as described herein. The controller may include a processor configured to execute instructions stored on a computer-readable medium.

[0039] In certain aspects, the controller can be configured to control the operation of the primary drive 150, the auxiliary drive 152, and the redundant load drive 100 during primary configuration operations and / or auxiliary configuration operations. Specifically, the controller can control the operation of the redundant load drive 100 from primary configuration to auxiliary configuration.

[0040] In one aspect, the processor implements the processes described below. Instructions may include various commands for controlling components of the redundant load drive 100. The computer-readable medium may be any type of memory known in the art, including non-volatile memory such as magnetic fixed disk storage, cloud-based memory, flash memory, etc. The processor may also communicate with other types of memory, including random access memory and read-only memory. The controller may also include a display capable of showing various states and indications associated with the instructions executed by the processor. For example, the display may show faults in the primary drive 150 and implementation of auxiliary configurations.

[0041] The controller can communicate with multiple input and output devices. These input devices may include user interface devices such as a keyboard, mouse, or other peripherals to receive user input. User input may include initiating auxiliary configuration.

[0042] The multiple input devices may also include sensors that communicate with various components of the redundant load drive 100 (such as motion sensors, speed sensors, voltage sensors, current sensors, or other detection devices known in the art). In particular, the sensors may include sensors for determining a fault in the primary drive 150.

[0043] Multiple output devices may include various electrical and / or mechanical control devices that can be used to control various components of the redundant load drive 100, such as switches, electrical and / or electromechanical repeaters, actuators, or other components known in the art. In particular, the output devices can control the redundant drive to switch from a primary configuration to an auxiliary configuration.

[0044] The controller can receive signals from the main drive system 200 and / or the main drive 150 that sense the operation of components associated with the main drive system 200. The controller can also receive signals from the redundant load drive 100 that sense the operation of the redundant load drive 100, particularly the input shaft 104 and / or the output shaft 112. For example, the redundant load drive 100 can detect movement of the input shaft 104 and / or the output shaft 112 using sensors such as Hall effect sensors. In other respects, the sensors can be used to detect movement of the input shaft 104 and / or the output shaft 112. In still other respects, the sensors can be used to detect malfunctions in the main drive 150.

[0045] The controller can determine whether the primary drive system 200 and / or redundant load drive 100 are operating correctly. If the controller does not sense any problems with the primary drive system 200, primary drive 150, and / or redundant load drive 100, the primary drive system 200 can continue to supply torque to the input shaft 104. The controller can continue to receive signals from the primary drive system 200 regarding the operation of the redundant load drive 100.

[0046] In some cases, the controller can detect problems in the operation of the primary drive system 200, primary drive 150, and / or redundant load drive 100. For example, a fault within the primary drive system 200 or primary drive 150 may cause the redundant load drive 100 to jam or remain stationary. Consequently, input shaft 104 and / or output shaft 112 may lock up and fail to function properly. When a fault is detected, the controller, operatively coupled to the redundant load drive 100, can send a signal to the auxiliary drive 152 to initiate an auxiliary drive mode.

[0047] The controller can signal a malfunction of the primary drive system 200 to the flight warning system. For example, it can send a warning message to the pilot indicating that the auxiliary drive system 116 has engaged. The pilot can be notified via a display or another output device that communicates with the controller. The controller can provide the user with additional diagnostic information related to the malfunction based on information received from various input devices. For example, the controller can inform the user of the type of malfunction that causes a switch to auxiliary drive mode.

[0048] Therefore, the described actuator system 101 is configured to implement a redundant system in order to overcome mechanical failures and improve safety and limit equipment damage. In particular, the actuator system 101 can identify a fault in the main drive 150, disconnect the main drive 150 from the redundant load transmission 100, and implement an auxiliary drive 152 to actuate the actuator 154.

[0049] The following are several non-limiting examples of various aspects of this disclosure. One example includes: Example 1. A redundant load drive comprising: an input shaft configured to receive rotational torque from a primary drive; an output shaft configured to transmit the rotational torque to an actuator; a coupling assembly configured to connect the input shaft to the output shaft to transmit the rotational torque; the input shaft being configured to receive the rotational torque from the primary drive and transmit the rotational torque through the coupling assembly when the coupling assembly is in a primary drive configuration; and the coupling assembly being configured to disconnect from the input shaft and transmit rotational torque from the auxiliary drive to the output shaft when the coupling assembly is in an auxiliary drive configuration.

[0050] The above examples may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following examples: 2. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling component includes an auxiliary drive coupling configured to be driven by the auxiliary drive and an auxiliary shaft. 3. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling component is configured to disengage from the input shaft by translating the coupling component away from the input shaft along the output shaft. 4. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling component is configured to translate away from the input shaft when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration. 5. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the auxiliary drive is configured to rotate the auxiliary shaft and consequently rotate the auxiliary drive coupling. 6. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling component is configured to disengage from the input shaft by translating the coupling component away from the input shaft along the output shaft. 7. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling component is configured to translate away from the input shaft when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration. 8. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling component is configured to disengage from the input shaft by translating the coupling component away from the input shaft along the output shaft. 9. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling component is configured to translate away from the input shaft when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration. 10. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling component is configured to disengage from the input shaft by translating the coupling component away from the input shaft along the output shaft; and wherein the coupling component is configured to translate away from the input shaft when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration. 11. A landing gear system including a redundant load drive as described in any of the examples herein, wherein the actuator includes a landing gear actuator configured to extend and retract the landing gear.

[0051] One example includes: Example 1. A redundant load drive includes: an input shaft configured to receive rotational torque from a primary drive; an output shaft configured to transmit the rotational torque to an actuator; a coupling assembly configured to connect the input shaft to the output shaft to transmit the rotational torque; the input shaft is configured to receive the rotational torque from the primary drive and transmit the rotational torque through the coupling assembly when the coupling assembly is in a primary drive configuration; and the coupling assembly is configured to disconnect from the input shaft and transmit rotational torque from the auxiliary drive to the output shaft when the coupling assembly is in an auxiliary drive configuration.

[0052] The above examples may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following examples: 2. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling component is configured to disengage from the input shaft by translating the coupling component away from the input shaft along the output shaft. 3. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling component includes an inner coupling portion and an outer coupling portion; wherein the outer coupling portion includes a helical gear surface; and wherein the helical gear surface is configured to engage with a drive gear and be translated by rotation of the drive gear to disengage the coupling component from the input shaft in the auxiliary drive configuration. 4. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the drive gear is configured to rotate by the auxiliary drive. 5. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the outer coupling portion is configured to receive the inner coupling portion. 6. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling assembly is configured to translate away from the input shaft when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration. 7. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, including a spring arrangement around the output shaft, wherein the coupling assembly is further configured to compress the spring when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration. 8. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling assembly further includes a bearing, wherein the bearing is configured to compress the spring when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration. 9. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the input shaft includes an input shaft spline; wherein the coupling assembly includes an inner coupling spline configured to engage the input shaft spline; and wherein the output shaft includes an output shaft spline configured to engage the inner coupling spline of the coupling assembly. 10. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling assembly is configured to disengage the inner coupling spline from the input shaft spline of the input shaft by translating the coupling assembly away from the input shaft along the output shaft. 11. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling assembly includes an inner coupling portion and an outer coupling portion; wherein the outer coupling portion includes a helical gear surface; and wherein the helical gear surface is configured to engage with a drive gear and be translated by rotation of the drive gear to disengage the inner coupling spline of the coupling assembly from the input shaft spline of the input shaft in the auxiliary drive configuration.12. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling assembly includes an inner coupling portion and an outer coupling portion; and wherein the outer coupling portion is configured to engage the inner coupling portion in the auxiliary drive configuration to disengage from the input shaft by translating the coupling assembly away from the input shaft along the output shaft. 13. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling assembly includes an inner coupling portion and an outer coupling portion; wherein the outer coupling portion includes teeth; wherein the inner coupling portion includes teeth; and wherein the outer coupling portion is configured to engage the teeth of the inner coupling portion in the auxiliary drive configuration to disengage the coupling assembly from the input shaft by translating the coupling assembly away from the input shaft along the output shaft. 14. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, comprising: a controller electrically communicating with the primary drive and the auxiliary drive; and a sensor configured to send a signal to the controller when the primary drive configuration has failed. 15. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the controller is configured to switch the redundant load drive from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration in response to receiving the signal from the sensor. 16. A landing gear system including a redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the actuator includes a landing gear actuator configured to extend and retract the landing gear.

[0053] One example includes: Example 17. A redundant load drive includes: an input shaft configured to receive rotational torque from a primary drive; an output shaft configured to transmit the rotational torque to an actuator; a coupling assembly configured to connect the input shaft to the output shaft to transmit the rotational torque; the input shaft being configured to receive the rotational torque from the primary drive and transmit the rotational torque through the coupling assembly when the coupling assembly is in a primary drive configuration; the coupling assembly being configured to disconnect from the input shaft and transmit the rotational torque from the auxiliary drive to the output shaft when the coupling assembly is in an auxiliary drive configuration; a controller electrically communicating with the primary drive and the auxiliary drive; and a sensor configured to send a signal to the controller when the primary drive configuration has failed.

[0054] The above examples may further include any one or more combinations of the following examples: 18. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the input shaft includes an input shaft spline; wherein the coupling assembly includes an inner coupling spline configured to engage the input shaft spline of the input shaft; and wherein the output shaft includes an output shaft spline configured to engage the inner coupling spline of the coupling assembly. 19. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling assembly is configured to disengage the inner coupling spline from the input shaft spline of the input shaft by translating the coupling assembly along the output shaft away from the input shaft. 20. A redundant load drive as described in any example herein, wherein the coupling assembly includes an inner coupling portion and an outer coupling portion; wherein the outer coupling portion includes a helical gear surface; and wherein the helical gear surface is configured to engage with a drive gear and to be translated by rotation of the drive gear to disengage the inner coupling spline of the coupling assembly from the input shaft spline of the input shaft in the auxiliary drive configuration.

[0055] The aspects of this disclosure can be implemented in any type of computing device with the ability to perform wired / wireless communication via a communication channel, such as desktop computers, personal computers, laptop / mobile computers, personal data assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, tablet computers, cloud computing devices, etc.

[0056] Further, in accordance with various aspects of this disclosure, the methods described herein are intended to be operated using dedicated hardware implementations, including but not limited to PCs, PDAs, semiconductors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic arrays, cloud computing devices, and other hardware devices configured to implement the methods described herein.

[0057] It should also be noted that the software implementations of the disclosure described herein may optionally be stored on tangible storage media, such as: magnetic media, like disks or magnetic tapes; magneto-optical or optical media, like disks; or solid-state media, such as memory cards or other packages containing one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other rewritable (volatile) memories. Digital file attachments to emails or other independent information archives or sets of archives are considered equivalent to distribution media of tangible storage media. Therefore, this disclosure is considered to include tangible storage media or distribution media, as listed herein and including equivalents and successor media recognized in the art, in which the software implementations herein are stored.

[0058] Additionally, the various aspects of this disclosure can be implemented in non-general-purpose computer embodiments. Furthermore, the various aspects of this disclosure set forth herein improve the functionality of the system, as is apparent from its disclosure. Moreover, the various aspects of this disclosure relate to computer hardware specifically programmed to solve the complex problems addressed by this disclosure. Therefore, the various aspects of this disclosure, in specific embodiments of the system, generally improve the functionality of the system to perform the processes set forth in this disclosure and defined in the claims.

[0059] Many features and advantages of this disclosure are apparent from the detailed description, and therefore the appended claims are intended to cover all such features and advantages that fall within the true spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, since many modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit this disclosure to the exact constructions and operations illustrated and described, and therefore all suitable modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of this disclosure may be employed.

Claims

1. A redundant load transmission device, comprising: An input shaft configured to receive rotational torque from a primary drive; An output shaft configured to transmit the rotational torque to an actuator; A coupling assembly configured to connect the input shaft to the output shaft to transmit the rotational torque; The input shaft is configured to receive the rotational torque from the main drive and transmit the rotational torque through the coupling assembly when the coupling assembly is in the main drive configuration; and The coupling component is configured to disconnect from the input shaft and transmit rotational torque from the auxiliary drive to the output shaft when the coupling component is in the auxiliary drive configuration. The connecting assembly includes an auxiliary drive coupling configured to be driven by the auxiliary drive and the auxiliary shaft; and The coupling component is configured to disengage from the input shaft by translating the coupling component away from the input shaft along the output shaft.

2. The redundant load transmission device as described in claim 1, wherein The coupling assembly is configured to, when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration, disengage the primary coupling from the input shaft and engage the auxiliary drive coupling with the input shaft by translating the primary coupling and the auxiliary drive coupling along the output shaft.

3. The redundant drive train of claim 1, wherein, The auxiliary drive is configured to rotate the auxiliary shaft and, consequently, the auxiliary drive coupling.

4. The redundant load transmission device as described in claim 3, wherein The coupling assembly is configured to disengage the main coupling from the input shaft and engage the auxiliary drive coupling with the input shaft by translating the main coupling and the auxiliary drive coupling along the output shaft.

5. The redundant load transmission device as described in claim 4, in, The coupling assembly is configured to, when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration, disengage the primary coupling from the input shaft and engage the auxiliary drive coupling with the input shaft by translating the primary coupling and the auxiliary drive coupling along the output shaft.

6. The redundant load transmission device as described in claim 1, in, The coupling component is configured to translate away from the input shaft when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration.

7. The redundant load transmission device as described in claim 1, in, The coupling assembly is configured to disengage the main coupling from the input shaft by translating the main coupling and the auxiliary drive coupling along the output shaft; and The connecting component is configured to translate away from the input shaft when the redundant load drive changes from the primary drive configuration to the auxiliary drive configuration.

8. A landing gear system comprising the redundant load drive as described in claim 1, wherein, The actuators include landing gear actuators configured to extend and retract the landing gear.

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