Electromechanical actuator driven governor for ram air turbine

Abstract

A ram air turbine governor includes a hub carrying multiple turbine blades. A sensor is configured to detect a parameter. A counterweight is coupled to at least one turbine blade and is configured to provide an input to the turbine blade in response to a centrifugal force to move the turbine blade from a first pitch position to a second pitch position. An electromechanical actuator is operatively coupled to the counterweight. A controller is in communication with the mechanical actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to command the electromechanical actuator and move the turbine blade from the second pitch position to a third pitch position in response to the detected parameter.

1 . A ram air turbine governor comprising:
 a hub carrying multiple turbine blades;   a sensor configured to detect a parameter;   a counterweight coupled to at least one turbine blade and configured to provide a rotational input to the turbine blade in response to a centrifugal force to move the turbine blade from a first pitch position to a second pitch position;   an electromechanical actuator operatively coupled to the counterweight; and   a controller in communication with the electromechanical actuator and the sensor, the controller configured to command the electromechanical actuator and move the turbine blade from the second pitch position to a third pitch position in response to the detected parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The ram air turbine governor according to  claim 1 , comprising a yoke plate assembly coupled to the counterweight and movable linearly with rotation of the blades. 
     
     
         3 . The ram air turbine governor according to  claim 2 , comprising a governor spring cooperating with the yoke plate assembly and configured to provide a force counteracting the rotational input. 
     
     
         4 . The ram air turbine governor according to  claim 2 , comprising a governor shaft affixed to the yoke plate assembly, and the electromechanical actuator coupled to the governor shaft and configured to move the yoke plate assembly in response to the command. 
     
     
         5 . The ram air turbine governor according to  claim 2 , wherein the counterweight includes a cam follower coupled to the yoke plate assembly and configured to translate between linear and rotational movement of the yoke plate assembly and the blade, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The ram air turbine governor according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a speed sensor, and the parameter corresponds to a rotational speed of the hub. 
     
     
         7 . The ram air turbine governor according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a start-up condition sensor, and the parameter is a start-up condition. 
     
     
         8 . The ram air turbine governor according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor, and the parameter is a vibration of the blade. 
     
     
         9 . A ram air turbine governor comprising:
 a hub carrying multiple turbine blades;   a sensor configured to detect a parameter, the parameter including at least one of a start-up condition and a vibration condition;   an electromechanical actuator operatively coupled to the turbine blades; and   a controller in communication with the electromechanical actuator and the sensor, the controller configured to command the electromechanical actuator and move the turbine blade between pitch positions in response to the detected parameter.   
     
     
         10 . The ram air turbine governor according to  claim 9 , comprising a counterweight coupled to at least one turbine blade and configured to provide a rotational input to the turbine blade in response to a centrifugal force to move the turbine blade from a first pitch position to a second pitch position.