A ram air turbine (RAT) actuator piston can include a body defining a piston structure having an inner cavity. The piston can include one or more damping holes axially defined through the body to the inner cavity and a lock rod hole defined axially through the body to the inner cavity. The lock rod hole can have a larger flow area than one or more of the one or more damping holes. The lock rod hole can be configured to receive a lock rod of a RAT actuator to at least partially block flow through the lock rod hole when the lock rod is in a locked position. The one or more damping holes can be configured to allow flow through the damping holes in the locked position to allow the RAT actuator piston to move within the RAT actuator in the locked position to dissipate vibratory loads.

A method of electrically powering an electrical load in an aircraft, the method including electrically powering the electrical load with a main source that generates electricity; measuring an instantaneous parameter characterizing the main source; determining a level of use of the main source from the measured instantaneous parameter; adjusting the voltage of the main source as a function of the level of use; measuring an output voltage from the main source; comparing the measured voltage or the level of use with a predetermined threshold value; and whenever the measured voltage is less than the predetermined threshold value, electrically powering the electrical load from an auxiliary source that stores electricity so as to supply additional electric power to the electrical load.

A single-unit nose cone for a ram air including: a dome portion located at a forward end of the single unit nose cone; a dome stand portion adjacent to the dome portion; a seat portion adjacent to the dome stand portion; and a stem portion adjacent to the seat portion and located at an aft end of the single-unit nose cone, wherein the dome portion, the dome stand portion, the seat portion, and the stem portion are composed from a single piece of material having a density of about 0.286 pound/cubic inch (7916 kilogram/cubic meter).

A ram air turbine (RAT) is provided and includes a turbine assembly including blades and a hub to which the blades are connected, a generator or a pump and a drivetrain mechanically interposed between the turbine assembly and the generator or the pump. Each blade includes an exterior, airfoil-shaped structure defining an interior and support structures disposed within the interior which connect with an inner surface of the exterior, airfoil-shaped structure and which define hollow regions within the interior.

A ram air turbine (RAT) can include a housing and a turbine shaft configured to connect to one or more turbine blades and be turned by the one or more blades. The turbine shaft can be disposed in the housing to rotate relative to the housing along a rotational axis. The RAT can include a first bearing and a second bearing mounted between the turbine shaft and the housing to allow the turbine shaft to rotate relative to the housing. The RAT can include a whirl reduction system configured to dampen or eliminate whirl around the rotational axis.

A ram air turbine (RAT) actuator piston can include a body defining a piston structure having an inner cavity. The piston can include one or more damping holes axially defined through the body to the inner cavity and a lock rod hole defined axially through the body to the inner cavity. The lock rod hole can have a larger flow area than one or more of the one or more damping holes. The lock rod hole can be configured to receive a lock rod of a RAT actuator to at least partially block flow through the lock rod hole when the lock rod is in a locked position. The one or more damping holes can be configured to allow flow through the damping holes in the locked position to allow the RAT actuator piston to move within the RAT actuator in the locked position to dissipate vibratory loads.

A ram air turbine has turbine blades connected to rotate a transmission shaft. The transmission shaft is connected to drive a first gear which is engaged to drive a second gear. The second gear is connected to rotate an output shaft extending through a strut away from the transmission shaft. A governor arrangement is configured to change a pitch angle of the blades in response to speed, and includes counterweights acting on a spring in the governor arrangement. The governor spring is positioned on an opposed side of the strut relative to the turbine.

A toggle release mechanism comprises a base element and a toggle element rotatably mounted at a first end to the base element about a first axis for rotation between a first, locking position and a second, release position. The mechanism further comprises a link element mounted at a first end to a second end of the toggle element about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The first end of the toggle element comprises a first stop and the base element comprises a second stop opposed to the first stop. The first stop and the second stop are in contact when the toggle element is in its locked position, preventing rotational movement of the toggle element in one rotational direction.

A latch mechanism for use in a ram air turbine actuator including: a coupler housing extending from a first end to a second end opposite the first end, the coupler housing including: a base arm having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface; a first wall extending away from the upper surface, the first wall including a first slot; and a second wall extending away from the upper surface, the second wall including a second slot, wherein the upper surface, the first wall, and the second wall at least partially enclose a cavity therebetween; a lock release pivot arm including: a first end; a second end opposite the first end of the lock release pivot arm; an orifice located proximate the second end of the lock release pivot arm; and a pivot pin located within the first slot, the second slot, and the orifice.

A single-unit nose cone for a ram air including: a dome portion located at a forward end of the single unit nose cone; a dome stand portion adjacent to the dome portion; a seat portion adjacent to the dome stand portion; and a stem portion adjacent to the seat portion and located at an aft end of the single-unit nose cone, wherein the dome portion, the dome stand portion, the seat portion, and the stem portion are composed from a single piece of material having a density of about 0.286 pound/cubic inch (7916 kilogram/cubic meter).