Patent ID: 8070091

Claim:
An electromechanical actuation system comprising: first, second, and third linear actuators having respective first, second, and third ranges of motion; a braking system configured to lock at least the third linear actuator; and an output member coupled to the first, second, and third linear actuators at first, second, and third sections of the output member, respectively, and such that a position of a selected portion of the output member is based on actuation of the first, second, and third linear actuators, wherein: the first, second, and third sections of the output member are each disposed equidistantly from the selected portion of the output member, the first, second, and third sections of the output member and the selected portion of the output member all move a first predetermined distance when the first, second, and third linear actuators are each actuated first portions of the respective first, second, and third ranges of motion, and when (i) the third linear actuator is locked by the braking system and (ii) the first and second linear actuators are each actuated second portions of the first and second ranges of motion, the second portions of the first and second ranges of motion being greater than the first portions of the first and second ranges of motion: the third section of the output member does not move, the first and second sections of the output member move a second predetermined distance, the second predetermined distance being greater than the first predetermined distance, and the selected portion of the output member moves the first predetermined distance; and a control system in operable communication with the first, second and third linear actuators and the braking mechanism, the control system being configured to: cause the first, second, and third linear actuators to actuate the first portions of the respective first, second, and third ranges of motion when the third linear actuator is not locked; and cause the first and second linear actuators to actuate the second portions of the first and second ranges of motion when the third linear actuator is locked by the braking mechanism.