Patent ID: 11858616
Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A panel actuation assembly comprising:
a plurality of movable panels; and
an actuator system for controlling movement of a plurality of panels, the actuator system comprising:
two or more drive mechanisms connected to each panel at two or more separate locations on the panel; and
for each panel:
a sole actuator per panel directly connected to a pinion of a first of the drive mechanisms to drive the drive mechanism, via the pinion, to move the panel, and
a torque tube having a first end in engagement with the sole actuator so as to be rotated by the sole actuator as the sole actuator drives the first of the drive mechanisms, the torque tube having a second end in engagement with a second of the two or more drive mechanisms to drive the second drive mechanism due to rotation of the torque tube such that the first and second drive mechanisms are driven by the sole actuator;
wherein the first and second drive mechanisms each comprise a rack and pinion arrangement with a rack attached to the panel and the pinion driven by the sole actuator, and wherein the pinion of the first drive mechanism is directly connected to the sole actuator and the pinion of the second drive mechanism is engaged by the second end of the torque tube.