A distance between a rotation center of an input member and a contact portion between an input side engaging portion and an input side engaged portion in a second direction is set to be shorter than a distance between a rotation center of an output member and a contact portion between an output side engaging portion and an output side engaged portion in the second direction. In a locked or semi-locked state, a contact portion between the output side engaging portion and the output side engaged portion is located on the side closer to the rotation center of the output member in a first direction in relation to a virtual line connecting the rotation center of the output member and a contact portion between one pressing surface of the pair of pressing surfaces and the pressed surface.

A distance between a rotation center of an input member and a contact portion between an input side engaging portion and an input side engaged portion in a second direction is set to be shorter than a distance between a rotation center of an output member and a contact portion between an output side engaging portion and an output side engaged portion in the second direction. In a locked or semi-locked state, a contact portion between the output side engaging portion and the output side engaged portion is located on the side closer to the rotation center of the output member in a first direction in relation to a virtual line connecting the rotation center of the output member and a contact portion between one pressing surface of the pair of pressing surfaces and the pressed surface.

A braking device for a flight control system includes a drive shaft for applying a drive torque to a flight control surface. The braking device comprises a housing component comprising a first braking surface. The system also includes a trolley having a second braking surface configured to contact the first braking surface to provide a braking torque. The trolley is configured to receive an input torque from the drive shaft, wherein the trolley is configured to apply a contact force between the first and second braking surfaces in response to the input torque. Also provided is a flight control system comprising the braking device and a drive shaft for applying a drive torque to a flight control surface, and an aircraft comprising the flight control system.

There is provided an indicator system for a torque limiter. The system comprises a first component extending around an axis (A) and comprising one or more radially extending cam surfaces, and a second component in combination with a third component. The third component is fixed against rotation relative to the second component, but is axially movable relative to the second component. The third component comprises one or more notches, each receiving one of the radially extending cam surfaces. Upon relative rotation between the first component and the combination of the second component and the third component, a surface of each of the notches is configured to ride up a corresponding cam surface of the first component, causing the third component to move axially away from the second component.

The invention relates to an actuator comprising a stationary structure and an actuating element that is movable relative to the stationary structure, a device for locking the actuating element in position which is mounted on the stationary structure and has a state for locking and a state for releasing the actuating element. The locking device comprises, successively, a stress limiter and at least one locking element so arranged as to be butting against one surface of the actuating element, in order to oppose a motion of the actuating element in a predetermined direction. The actuator comprises a member for controlling the locking device in the releasing state thereof and a member for resiliently returning the locking device to the locking state thereof.

The invention relates to an actuator comprising a stationary structure and an actuating element that is movable relative to the stationary structure, a device for locking the actuating element in position which is mounted on the stationary structure and has a state for locking and a state for releasing the actuating element. The locking device comprises, successively, a stress limiter and at least one locking element so arranged as to be butting against one surface of the actuating element, in order to oppose a motion of the actuating element in a predetermined direction. The actuator comprises a member for controlling the locking device in the releasing state thereof and a member for resiliently returning the locking device to the locking state thereof.

A method for controlling a hydrodynamic retarder in a motor vehicle that can be mechanically disengaged via a disconnect clutch, comprising a drive motor whose power output is controlled via an actuator such as a foot pedal or a lever; whereby in an overrun operation the acceleration of the motor vehicle is collected or detected and compared with a pre-specified acceleration value; and whereby in the non-braking mode the disconnect clutch is engaged, regardless of an initiation of a braking mode by an operator of the motor vehicle or a driver assist system and the working chamber is maintained drained when the acceleration exceeds an acceleration limit.

A method for controlling a hydrodynamic retarder in a motor vehicle that can be mechanically disengaged via a disconnect clutch, comprising a drive motor whose power output is controlled via an actuator such as a foot pedal or a lever; whereby in an overrun operation the acceleration of the motor vehicle is collected or detected and compared with a pre-specified acceleration value; and whereby in the non-braking mode the disconnect clutch is engaged, regardless of an initiation of a braking mode by an operator of the motor vehicle or a driver assist system and the working chamber is maintained drained when the acceleration exceeds an acceleration limit.

A torque limited drive system comprising: an input shaft; at least one gear unit driven by the input shaft; a torque limiter having a torque limit and being driven by the at least one gear unit; and a torque limited output shaft driven by the torque limiter; wherein the torque limiter is adapted such that when it experiences a torque above its torque limit it applies a brake to said input shaft. The fact that the torque limiter is situated downstream of the gear units combined with the fact that the torque limiter brakes the input shaft upstream of the gear unit allows minimization of component weight within the gear units and within equipment driven by the output shaft due to the removal of the effect of efficiency and drag bandwidths associated with the gear units.

A torque limited drive system comprising: an input shaft; at least one gear unit driven by the input shaft; a torque limiter having a torque limit and being driven by the at least one gear unit; and a torque limited output shaft driven by the torque limiter; wherein the torque limiter is adapted such that when it experiences a torque above its torque limit it applies a brake to said input shaft. The fact that the torque limiter is situated downstream of the gear units combined with the fact that the torque limiter brakes the input shaft upstream of the gear unit allows minimization of component weight within the gear units and within equipment driven by the output shaft due to the removal of the effect of efficiency and drag bandwidths associated with the gear units.