SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROL SURFACE WITH DYNAMIC COMPENSATION
First Claim
1. A system for controlling and manipulating a flight control device on an aircraft, comprising:
- an aircraft having a body;
a flight control device movably mounted to the body for adjusting flight of the aircraft;
a sensor mounted to the body for detecting a movement of the flight control device;
a primary manipulation device for primarily manipulating the flight control device during operation of the aircraft; and
a secondary manipulation device coupled to the flight control device and the primary manipulation device, the secondary manipulation device being responsive to the sensor for manipulating the flight control device when inadequate manipulation of the flight control device is provided by the primary manipulation device, and the secondary manipulation device acting as a damper for selectively damping motion of the flight control device during flight of the aircraft.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aircraft flight control surface has an actuator that employs a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid for dynamically adjusting the responsiveness of the control surface. The MR fluid may be used as a primary or secondary control in the event that a primary control actuator fails. In the event of system failures associated with the primary control, an alternate level of performance may be provided by the secondary control and communicated to the overall flight control system. This permits the control surface actuator to reactively and proactively respond to changes associated with the flight control system. If the design fails, it also permits a safe mode of operation should the ability to dynamically adjust the viscosity of the MR fluid be negatively impacted. The safe mode of operation may involve a reduced level of performance.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for controlling and manipulating a flight control device on an aircraft, comprising:
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an aircraft having a body; a flight control device movably mounted to the body for adjusting flight of the aircraft; a sensor mounted to the body for detecting a movement of the flight control device; a primary manipulation device for primarily manipulating the flight control device during operation of the aircraft; and a secondary manipulation device coupled to the flight control device and the primary manipulation device, the secondary manipulation device being responsive to the sensor for manipulating the flight control device when inadequate manipulation of the flight control device is provided by the primary manipulation device, and the secondary manipulation device acting as a damper for selectively damping motion of the flight control device during flight of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for controlling and manipulating a flap on an aircraft, comprising:
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an aircraft having a body; a flap movably mounted to the body for adjusting flight of the aircraft; a sensor mounted to the body for detecting an acceleration of the flap; a flap manipulation device coupled to the flap for manipulating the flap during operation of the aircraft, the flap manipulation device also being responsive to the sensor for manipulating the flap and selectively damping motion of the flap during flight of the aircraft; and the flap manipulation device having an actuator having chambers with a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid, a valve through which the MR fluid passes between the chambers, and a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field that selectively and dynamically manipulates a property of the MR fluid as it passes through the valve to adjust a stiffness and responsiveness of the flap. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification