Patent ID: 8136418
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: B64C,F16H,G01R,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An electromechanical actuating assembly, comprising: an actuator; a first motor providing actuator-moving power; a second motor providing actuator-moving power independent of the first motor; a first drivetrain for transferring actuator-moving power to the actuator; a second drivetrain for transferring actuator-moving power to the actuator; a first decoupling train for transmitting decoupling power to decouple the first drivetrain from the actuator; a second decoupling train for transmitting decoupling power to decouple the second drivetrain from the actuator; and wherein the assembly is operable in a plurality of fault-tolerant modes, including: a M1D1-only mode, whereat actuator-moving power is transferred only through the first drivetrain and decoupling power transmitted through the second decoupling train decouples the second drivetrain from the actuator; and a M2D2-only mode, whereat actuator-moving power is transferred only through the second drivetrain and decoupling power transmitted through the first decoupling train decouples the first drivetrain from the actuator; and wherein the assembly further comprises a mode-conversion system for conversion to an appropriate one of the plurality of the fault-tolerant modes upon occurrence of a fault situation; wherein the mode-conversion system comprises a first motor-path converter and a second motor-path converter; wherein the first motor-path converter is convertible between a first condition whereat the first motor can be drivingly connected to the first drivetrain and a second condition whereat the first motor can be drivingly connected to the second drivetrain, and wherein the second motor-path converter is convertible between a first condition whereat the second motor can be drivingly connected to the first drivetrain and a second condition whereat the second motor can be drivingly connected to the second drivetrain.