US 12668352 B2 / Jun 30, 2026

Multiple load path actuator with fault detection

An actuator comprising first and second motors, first and second drive linkages, and a pivot mount configured to pivot about a pivot axis, the pivot mount connected to the first and second drive linkages at first and second mount connections offset first and second offset distances from the pivot axis, the motors and first and second drive linkages configured to provide first and second load paths between a drive housing and the pivot mount so that in a first operation state the pivot mount is in a force-balanced orientation about the pivot axis, and a proximity detector positioned to detect when the pivot mount rotates about the pivot axis above a threshold out of the force-balanced orientation, wherein a force imbalance on the pivot mount caused by a fault in one of the first or second drive linkages above a threshold is detected by the proximity detector.