Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an electric motor health monitoring system that includes an estimator module configured to model one or more estimated motor values of an electric motor based on one or more motor control parameters and one or more motor control states, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a fault detector module configured to (1) provide a fault signal based on the modeled one or more estimated motor values of the motor and a predetermined parameter threshold value, and (2) modify the non-transitory computer readable medium based on the fault signal.

Abstract: An actuator for a control surface is provided. The actuator includes a frame, an electric motor, an epicyclic gear, a power-off brake, a power-on brake, and a unidirectional bearing. A sun gear is operably coupled to an output of the motor. A carrier is couplable to the control surface such that rotation of the carrier in a first direction transitions the control surface toward the deployed position and rotation of the carrier in a second direction transitions the control surface toward the stowed position. The power-off brake couples to the sun gear to ground the sun gear when deenergized. The power-on brake couples to the ring gear to ground the ring gear when energized. When the power-on brake is deenergized, the unidirectional bearing permits the ring gear to rotate in the second direction and prevents the ring gear from rotating in the first direction.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a linear-to-rotary apparatus that includes a linear actuator having an actuator housing including a piston chamber, a piston shaft disposed in the piston chamber, and a rotor apparatus. The rotor apparatus includes a rotary joint defining a rotational axis, a rotor arm extending radially from the rotary joint and configured to at least partially pivot about the rotary joint, and a torque linkage pivotably connected to the rotor arm. The torque linkage is also attached to an end of the piston shaft of the piston at a pivot connection joint, where the pivot connection joint defines a pivot axis that is substantially perpendicular to the translation axis of the piston shaft.

Abstract: An actuator for a control surface is provided. The actuator includes a frame, an electric motor, an epicyclic gear, a power-off brake, a power-on brake, and a unidirectional bearing. A sun gear is operably coupled to an output of the motor. A carrier is couplable to the control surface such that rotation of the carrier in a first direction transitions the control surface toward the deployed position and rotation of the carrier in a second direction transitions the control surface toward the stowed position. The power-off brake couples to the sun gear to ground the sun gear when deenergized. The power-on brake couples to the ring gear to ground the ring gear when energized. When the power-on brake is deenergized, the unidirectional bearing permits the ring gear to rotate in the second direction and prevents the ring gear from rotating in the first direction.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a fluid flow conditioning apparatus that includes a linear fluid conduit configured to define a linear fluid flow path, a fluid inlet defining an inlet fluid flow path that is non-parallel to the linear fluid flow path, a first fluid flow conditioner having a first conditioner configured to receive fluid flow along the inlet fluid flow path, condition fluid flow, and redirect conditioned fluid flow away from the inlet fluid flow path along the linear fluid flow path along the major axis, a second fluid flow conditioner configured to receive fluid flow from the linear fluid flow path along the major axis, redirect fluid flow away from the linear fluid flow path along an outlet fluid flow path that is non-parallel to the linear fluid flow path, and condition fluid flow, and a fluid outlet.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a system that includes a flexible structure, a power inverter, a first electromechanical device configured to urge movement of a first portion of the flexible structure based on power received from the power inverter, a second electromechanical device configured to urge movement of a second portion of the flexible structure based on power received from the power inverter, a feedback sensor configured to provide a feedback signal indicative of alignment between the first portion and the second portion, and a controller configured to control operation of at least one of the first electromechanical device and the second electromechanical device based on the feedback signal.

Abstract: A system and method of in situ verification of operational status of control components in a redundant flow control system is provided. The flow control system includes a primary electro-hydraulic servo valve (EHSV) and a secondary EHSV. Only the primary EHSV includes a position sensor. The redundant EHSVs are coupled via a transfer valve to control a position of a metering valve supplying fluid flow to at least one downstream system. The downstream system may be, e.g., a combustor, an actuator, an end effector, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a rotary lock assembly includes an epicyclic gear assembly having a sun gear assembly, a ring gear assembly, and a planet gear assembly having a collection of planet gears mechanically engaged to the sun gear assembly and the ring gear assembly, and a planet carrier mechanically engaged to the planet gears and configured to be rotated by the planet gears, a lock rotor configured to be rotated by the ring gear assembly, and a rotary output assembly configured to be rotated by the planet carrier.

Abstract: A system and method of providing prime reliability of a primary fuel manifold upon failure of a primary fuel metering system by providing metered fuel from a secondary fuel metering system are provided. The system utilizes a transfer electro-hydraulic servo valve (EHSV), a discharge select valve (DSV) coupled to the EHSV, and a pair of throttling valves positioned between secondary fuel metering system and the primary and secondary fuel manifolds. The DSV has a multi-land piston that switches a control pressure and a shutoff pressure between the pair of throttling valves to transfer the supply of metered fuel of the secondary fuel metering system from the secondary fuel manifold to the primary fuel manifold. The output pressurizing valve of the failed primary fuel metering system is also closed to isolate the failed primary fuel metering system from the primary fuel manifold.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an actuator apparatus includes an output member configured to actuate between a first positional configuration and a second positional configuration, a source fluid reservoir, a fluid velocity resistor configured to provide a predetermined resistance to fluid flow, a fluid velocity fuse configured to flow fluid flows having a first predetermined range of fluid velocities and to block fluid flows having second predetermined range of fluid velocities, and a fluid actuator assembly configured to urge fluid flow from the source fluid reservoir through the fluid velocity resistor and the fluid velocity fuse based on actuation of the output member.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a position sensor system that includes a sensor housing defining a first cavity having a first face, a fluid effector including an actuator housing having an inner surface defining a second cavity, and a moveable body having a second face and configured for reciprocal movement within the second cavity, an acoustic transmitter system configured to emit a first emitted acoustic waveform toward the first face, and emit a second emitted acoustic waveform toward the second face, and an acoustic receiver system configured to detect a first reflected acoustic waveform based on a first reflection of the first emitted acoustic waveform based on the first face, and detect a second reflected acoustic waveform based on a second reflection of the second emitted acoustic waveform based on the second face.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an engine assembly having a nacelle surrounding an engine, and a thrust reverser coupled to the nacelle and having a thrust-reversing element movable relative to the nacelle between a stowed and deployed position, a first hydraulic actuator configured to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed position and deployed position, the first hydraulic actuator being connected to a fluid source and a return reservoir, and a second hydraulic actuator configured to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed and deployed position, the second hydraulic actuator being connected to the fluid source and the return reservoir, and a control system having an electrohydraulic servo valve operable to selectively route fluid between the fluid source, the second hydraulic actuator, and the return reservoir, and a controller configured to operate the electrohydraulic servo valve.

Abstract: Disclosed are seal arrangements in a hydraulic device. The seal arrangement includes a seal channel defining a loop. A seal is seated within the seal channel. A coolant flow passage has a first part intersecting with the seal channel at a first point and a second part intersecting with the seal channel at a second point. The first part of the coolant flow passage is configured to provide hydraulic fluid to the seal channel such that, at the first point, a first portion of the hydraulic fluid flows in a first direction around the loop and a second portion of the hydraulic fluid flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction around the loop. At the second point, the first portion of hydraulic fluid and the second portion of hydraulic fluid are configured to flow into the second part of the coolant flow passage.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an internal combustion engine ignition system includes a voltage divider configured to be coupled to a primary transformer ignition coil connector, the voltage divider configured to reduce a voltage received from the primary transformer ignition coil to a controller voltage, a comparator circuit with an input coupled to an output of the voltage divider, and a controller configured to detect the voltage output of the voltage divider, detect the voltage output of a vehicle electric power supply, detect the voltage output of a comparator, and determine an estimated breakdown voltage of a spark plug based on the detected output voltage of the voltage divider and the detected voltage of the power supply.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a tip for a fuel nozzle. The tip includes a tip body having a first end and a second end spatially disposed from the first end along a longitudinal axis of the tip body. A nozzle passage is disposed at the first end. An entrance cavity, a swirl chamber, and a plurality of swirl passages are disposed within the tip body. The plurality of swirl passages connects the entrance cavity and the swirl chamber. Each of the swirl passages has an opening to the entrance cavity and an exit into the swirl chamber. Fluid communication is provided from the second end to the first end such that fluid flows from the entrance cavity, through the swirl passages, into the swirl chamber, and out through nozzle passage.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method performed in connection with an internal combustion engine, and the method including receiving a pressure signal from a combustion chamber pressure sensor during a first range of volumes, the first range corresponding to a portion of a compression phase, the received pressure being a first pressure, providing, based on the received pressure signal, a first pulse of fuel at a first position of the body during the compression phase, and providing, based on the received pressure signal a second pulse of fuel at a second position of the body during the compression phase.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an engine assembly includes a nacelle configured to at least partially surround an engine, and a thrust reverser coupled to the nacelle, the thrust reverser having a thrust-reversing element movable relative to the nacelle between a stowed position and a deployed position, a hydraulic actuator operably coupled to move the thrust-reversing element between the stowed position and the deployed position, and a fluid control system configured to operate the hydraulic actuator, the fluid control system having an electrohydraulic servo valve operable to selectively route fluid between a pressurized fluid source, the hydraulic actuator, and a fluid return reservoir, and a bypass fluid line providing fluid communication between the hydraulic actuator and the fluid return reservoir independent of the electrohydraulic servo valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of a flow system are provided. The flow system includes a flow source device configured to receive fluid from a first flow line and output fluid on a second flow line. An output is in fluid communication with the flow source device on the second flow line. An actuation system is in fluid communication with the second flow line through a third flow line. A flow meter measures a flow rate in the second flow line without bypassing any fluid to the first flow line. A controller is in communication with the flow source device and the flow meter. The controller adjusts the flow source device to achieve a desired flow rate at the output based on a condition of the flow source device and the flow rate measured by the flow meter.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a rotary actuator that includes a housing defining an arcuate chamber comprising a cavity, a rotor arm configured for rotary movement, an arcuate-shaped first piston disposed in said housing for reciprocal movement in the arcuate chamber, where a seal, the cavity, and the piston define a pressure chamber that includes part or all of the arcuate chamber, and a portion of the piston contacts the rotor arm, and a rotor assembly rotatably surrounding said housing and having a rotary output tube about the axis, wherein the rotor arm extends radially outward to the rotary output tube and the rotor arm is coupled to the rotary output tube.

Abstract: A redundant fuel metering system and method for a multi-stage combustor that utilizes a fuel metering valve EHSV from a less critical combustor stage fuel metering system as a redundant backup to the main metering valve EHSV. In the event of a failure of the main FMV EHSV, a control module signals a transfer system to switch control of the main FMV to the less critical combustor stage fuel metering system EHSV, thus maintaining control of the FMV for the main combustor. In doing this, the transfer valve then drives the less critical combustor stage fuel metering system FMV to its failsafe position while maintaining control of the main system.