Patent ID: 8291782

Claim:
An actuator assembly configured to control the movement of a stabilizer, the actuator assembly comprising: a ball screw having a longitudinal axis and configured to be rotated by a drive assembly; a primary nut assembly coupled to the stabilizer and received on the ball screw such that rotation of the ball screw causes movement of the primary nut assembly along the longitudinal axis of the ball screw, the ball screw and the primary nut assembly defining a primary load path between the between the drive assembly and the stabilizer; and a secondary nut assembly coupled to the primary nut assembly and configured to engage the ball screw upon failure of the primary load path; the secondary nut assembly comprising: a split nut assembly having opposing halves extending about the ball screw, the split nut assembly having at least one outer cam surface along an outer surface of each one of the halves; and a secondary nut housing extending about the split nut assembly; wherein upon failure of the primary load path, further rotation of the ball screw causes rotation of the at least one outer cam surface relative to the secondary nut housing, thereby moving the opposing halves of the split nut assembly toward each other and the ball screw, and subsequently moving the split nut assembly into locking engagement with the ball screw.