초록 ▼

Ballscrew actuators are well known for use as a primary flight control actuator for operating a flight control surface. The operation of the ballscrew actuator is critical to the success of an aircraft mission; however, when the actuator is subject to ballistic fire a projectile hit which is not tot

Ballscrew actuators are well known for use as a primary flight control actuator for operating a flight control surface. The operation of the ballscrew actuator is critical to the success of an aircraft mission; however, when the actuator is subject to ballistic fire a projectile hit which is not totally destructive can still render the actuator inoperable. Increasing the potential for operability of the ballscrew actuator after a projectile hit which is not totally destructive will increase the number of successful returns from aircraft missions. The ballistic tolerant dual load path ballscrew actuator has a selectively driven ballnut and a ballscrew drivingly connected to the ballnut. The ballscrew has an outer tubular member with an external helical ball groove providing a primary load path. An inner tubular member fits closely within and is fixed to the outer tubular member to provide a secondary load path upon cracking of the outer tubular member by a projectile passing through the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member is formed of ballistic tolerant composite material to maintain its structural integrity when contacted by a projectile which has passed through and caused cracking of the outer tubular member.

대표청구항 ▼

A ballistic tolerant dual load path ballscrew actuator comprising, a selectively driven ballnut and a ballscrew drivingly connected to said ballnut, said ballscrew having an outer tubular member of a hardened metal material to withstand high contact loads and having an external helical ball groove p

A ballistic tolerant dual load path ballscrew actuator comprising, a selectively driven ballnut and a ballscrew drivingly connected to said ballnut, said ballscrew having an outer tubular member of a hardened metal material to withstand high contact loads and having an external helical ball groove providing a primary load path and an inner tubular member closely fitting within and fixed to the outer tubular member to provide a secondary load path upon cracking of the outer tubular member by a projectile passing through the outer tubular member, said inner tubular member being formed of a rigid ballistic tolerant composite nonmetallic material to maintain its structural integrity when contacted by said projectile which has passed through and caused cracking of the outer tubular member and which, by being fixed to the outer tubular member, maintains the overall length of the outer tubular member and prevents propagation of said crack.