IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,393,285
Granted Patent B2
US 10,393,285 · App. 15/722,353 · Granted Aug 27, 2019

Multi-actuation control system with pressure balancing plumbing

Inventors: Martin Richard Amari (Glastonbury, CT); James K. Berry (Bolton, CT); Geoffrey T Blackwell (Vernon, CT); Xiao D. He (West Hartford, CT)
Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
F16K31/1245F01B25/12F01D17/14F01L1/3442F02K1/15F02K1/763F15B11/22F16K31/408F16K31/42F16K31/423F05D2220/32F05D2270/64F15B2211/50572
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,393,285
App. No.
15/722,353
Granted
Aug 27, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A multi-actuation system includes a first electrohydraulic servo valve and a first actuator. A first fluid line fluidically connects the first electrohydraulic servo valve to the first actuator. The multi-actuation system also includes a second electrohydraulic servo valve and a second actuator. A second fluid line fluidically connects the second electrohydraulic servo valve to the second actuator. A ring fluidically connects the first fluid line with the second fluid line.

Claims (52)

1. A multi-actuation system comprising:

a first electrohydraulic servo valve;

a first actuator;

a first fluid line fluidically connecting the first electrohydraulic servo valve to the first actuator;

a second electrohydraulic servo valve;

a second actuator;

a second fluid line fluidically connecting the second electrohydraulic servo valve to the second actuator; and

a ring fluidically connecting the first fluid line with the second fluid line.

2. The multi-actuation system of claim 1 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator both comprise hydraulic pistons with each hydraulic piston comprising an extend side opposite a retract side.

3. The multi-actuation system of claim 2 , wherein the first fluid line fluidically connects the first electrohydraulic servo valve to the extend side of the first actuator.

4. The multi-actuation system of claim 3 , wherein the second fluid line fluidically connects the second electrohydraulic servo valve to the extend side of the second actuator.

5. The multi-actuation system of claim 4 , further comprising:

a third fluid line fluidically connecting the first electrohydraulic servo valve to the retract side of the first actuator; and

a fourth fluid line fluidically connecting the second electrohydraulic servo valve to the retract side of the second actuator.

6. The multi-actuation system of claim 5 , further comprising:

a second ring fluidically connecting the third fluid line with the fourth fluid line;

a first flow restrictor disposed inside the first ring; and

a second flow restrictor disposed inside the second ring,

wherein a cross-sectional flow area of the first ring at the first flow restrictor is smaller than a minimum cross-sectional flow area of the first fluid line and the second fluid line, and

wherein a cross-sectional flow area of the second ring at the second flow restrictor is smaller than a minimum cross-sectional flow area of the third fluid line and the fourth fluid line.

7. A gas turbine engine comprising:

a plurality of actuation assemblies circumferentially spaced from one another about a centerline of the gas turbine engine, wherein each of the actuation assemblies comprises:

an electrohydraulic servo valve;

an actuator; and

a fluid line fluidically connecting the electrohydraulic servo valve to the actuator; and

a ring fluidically connecting the fluid lines of the actuation assemblies together.

8. The gas turbine engine of claim 7 , wherein each actuator in the plurality of actuation assemblies comprises a hydraulic piston with an extend side opposite a retract side.

9. The gas turbine engine of claim 8 , wherein the fluid line in each of the actuation assemblies fluidically connects the electrohydraulic servo valve to the extend side of the actuator.

10. The gas turbine engine of claim 9 , wherein each of the actuation assemblies further comprises:

a second fluid line fluidically connecting the electrohydraulic servo valve to the retract side of the actuator.

11. The gas turbine engine of claim 10 , further comprising:

a second ring fluidically connecting the second fluid lines of the actuation assemblies together.

12. The gas turbine engine of claim 11 , wherein the ring circumferentially extends completely around the centerline of the gas turbine engine in a complete loop.

13. The gas turbine engine of claim 11 , wherein the second ring circumferentially extends completely around the centerline of the gas turbine engine in a complete loop.

14. The gas turbine engine of claim 7 further comprising:

an effector connected to the plurality of actuation assemblies and configured to be translated by the plurality of actuation assemblies to modify a gas flow within the gas turbine engine.

15. The gas turbine engine of claim 14 , wherein the effector is selected from the group consisting of variable area nozzles, flow reversers, and flow diverters.

16. A multi-actuation system comprising:

a first electrohydraulic servo valve;

a first actuator, wherein the first actuator comprises an extend side and a retract side;

a first extend line fluidically connecting the first electrohydraulic servo valve to the extend side of the first actuator;

a first retract line fluidically connecting the first electrohydraulic servo valve to the retract side of the first actuator;

a second electrohydraulic servo valve;

a second actuator; wherein the second actuator comprises an extend side and a retract side;

a second extend line fluidically connecting the second electrohydraulic servo valve to the extend side of the second actuator;

a second retract line fluidically connecting the second electrohydraulic servo valve to the retract side of the second actuator; and

a first ring fluidically connecting the first extend line with the second extend line.

17. The multi-actuation system of claim 16 further comprising:

a second ring fluidically connecting the first retract line with the second retract line.

18. The multi-actuation system of claim 17 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator comprise a hydraulic piston.

19. The multi-actuation system of claim 17 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are disposed on an annular case and are circumferentially spaced apart from one another.

20. The multi-actuation system of claim 19 , wherein the first ring and the second ring are disposed on or within the case, and extend the full circumference of the case.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 27, 2023
From: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RTX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064714/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE AND REMOVE PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 11886281 AND ADD PATENT APPLICATION NUMBER 14846874. TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 054062 FRAME: 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF ADDRESS. Recorded Mar 4, 2021
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055659/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 4, 2020
From: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 054062/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 2, 2017
From: AMARI, MARTIN RICHARD; BERRY, JAMES K.; BLACKWELL, GEOFFREY T; HE, XIAO D.
To: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043754/0418 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190101225A1 · Apr 4, 2019
Cited By (1)
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