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Jet engine actuation system

  • US 9,617,922 B2
  • Filed: 03/27/2014
  • Issued: 04/11/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A jet engine system, comprising:

  • at least one engine including;

    a synchronization ring configured to circumferentially rotate, wherein a first vertical axis extends through a first side of the synchronization ring, and a second vertical axis extends through a second side of the synchronization ring, the first and second vertical axes defining an exterior envelope region therebetween, the exterior envelope region having a length equal to a diameter of the synchronization ring;

    an inner housing that supports the synchronization ring, and an outer housing disposed about the inner housing;

    an actuation system including;

    first and second ring gearboxes coupled to the inner housing and configured to rotate the synchronization ring;

    an actuator having a first actuator gearbox configured to generate a first rotational output and a second actuator gearbox configured to generate a second rotational output, the actuator being disposed within the exterior envelope region and being coupled to an exterior surface of the outer housing;

    a first drive shaft having a first shaft end rotatably coupled to the first actuator gearbox and a second shaft end rotatably coupled to the first ring gear box; and

    a second drive shaft having a first shaft end rotatably coupled to the second actuator gearbox and the second shaft end rotatably coupled to the second ring gear box, a body of the first and second drive shafts including at least one curved portion between the first and second ends, each body extending between a respective actuator gearbox and a respective ring gearbox at an angle with respect to the exterior envelope;

    wherein the actuator is configured to simultaneously control the first and second actuator gearboxes such that the first and second rotational outputs are simultaneously transferred to the first and second ring gearboxes, respectively, to circumferentially rotate the synchronization ring.

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