A hinge-line actuator has: a drive shaft; first and second ground gears spaced apart along the drive shaft, wherein the first and second output gears include first and second contoured outer gear surfaces; and an output gear disposed on the drive shaft and disposed between the first and second ground gears, wherein the output gear includes a third contoured outer gear surface; an actuator housing that includes: contoured first, second and third gear seats that, respectively, seat the first, second and third outer gear surfaces.

A rotary actuator assembly for moving a first relatively movable part relative to a second relatively movable part. The assembly includes a rotary actuator having a plurality of circumferential earth members for attachment to one of the first and the second relatively movable parts and a plurality of circumferential output members for attachment to the other of the first and second relatively movable parts. At least the plurality of circumferential earth members or the plurality of circumferential output members is provided with radially outwardly extending locking features around their circumference configured to be received in a mounting sleeve having complementary locking features to engage with the radially outwardly extending locking features.

A rotary actuator assembly for moving a first relatively movable part relative to a second relatively movable part. The assembly includes a rotary actuator having a plurality of circumferential earth members for attachment to one of the first and the second relatively movable parts and a plurality of circumferential output members for attachment to the other of the first and second relatively movable parts. At least the plurality of circumferential earth members or the plurality of circumferential output members is provided with radially outwardly extending locking features around their circumference configured to be received in a mounting sleeve having complementary locking features to engage with the radially outwardly extending locking features.

Example flap actuation systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example control surface actuation system includes processor circuitry to cause a first actuator to generate an output to operatively couple the first actuator to a first drive arm; cause a second actuator to generate an output to operatively couple the second actuator to a second drive arm; cause the first actuator and the second actuator to move a control surface when the first actuator and the second actuator are in an operative state; detect the first actuator as in a failed state; and in response to the first actuator being in the failed state, cause first actuator to refrain from generating the output to disrupt the operative coupling between the first actuator and the first drive arm; and cause the second actuator to move the control surface via the first drive arm and the second drive arm.

Example flap actuation systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example control surface actuation system includes processor circuitry to cause a first actuator to generate an output to operatively couple the first actuator to a first drive arm; cause a second actuator to generate an output to operatively couple the second actuator to a second drive arm; cause the first actuator and the second actuator to move a control surface when the first actuator and the second actuator are in an operative state; detect the first actuator as in a failed state; and in response to the first actuator being in the failed state, cause first actuator to refrain from generating the output to disrupt the operative coupling between the first actuator and the first drive arm; and cause the second actuator to move the control surface via the first drive arm and the second drive arm.

An automatic actuator system is provided. The automatic actuator system includes an input linkage that receives an input and an output linkage adapted to control a flight surface actuator. The automatic actuator system includes a first strain wave gear having a first circular spline coupled to the input linkage and a first flex spline rotatably coupled to the first circular spline. The automatic actuator system includes a second strain wave gear having a second circular spline coupled to the first flex spline. The second strain wave gear includes a second flex spline, and the second flex spline is coupled to the output linkage such that at least a portion of the input from the input linkage is transferred to the output linkage via the first strain wave gear and the second strain wave gear.

A system comprising an aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to control pitch, roll, and/or yaw via airfoils having resiliently mounted trailing edges opposed by fuselage-house deflecting actuator horns. Embodiments include one or more rudder elements which may be rotatably attached and actuated by an effector member disposed within the fuselage housing and extendible in part to engage the one or more rudder elements.

A system comprising an aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to control pitch, roll, and/or yaw via airfoils having resiliently mounted trailing edges opposed by fuselage-house deflecting actuator horns. Embodiments include one or more rudder elements which may be rotatably attached and actuated by an effector member disposed within the fuselage housing and extendible in part to engage the one or more rudder elements.

Disclosed herein is a system for actuating a flap coupled to a wing of an aircraft in a streamwise direction. The system comprises a geared rotary actuator comprising a drive gear that is rotatable about a first rotational axis. The system also comprises a crank shaft comprising a driven gear in gear meshing engagement with the drive gear of the geared rotary actuator to rotate the crank shaft about a second rotational axis. The second rotational axis is angled relative to the first rotational axis. The system further comprises a crank arm co-rotatably coupled to the crank shaft and configured to be coupled to the flap. Rotation of the crank shaft about the second rotational axis rotates the crank arm in a direction perpendicular to the second rotational axis.

Disclosed herein is a system for actuating a flap coupled to a wing of an aircraft in a streamwise direction. The system comprises a geared rotary actuator comprising a drive gear that is rotatable about a first rotational axis. The system also comprises a crank shaft comprising a driven gear in gear meshing engagement with the drive gear of the geared rotary actuator to rotate the crank shaft about a second rotational axis. The second rotational axis is angled relative to the first rotational axis. The system further comprises a crank arm co-rotatably coupled to the crank shaft and configured to be coupled to the flap. Rotation of the crank shaft about the second rotational axis rotates the crank arm in a direction perpendicular to the second rotational axis.