MECHANICAL TRANSMISSION RELAY FOR A CONTROL FACILITY COMPRISING A MANUAL ELEMENT AND A SERVO-MOTOR, AND ITS USE IN AIRCRAFT CONTROL SYSTEMS

• US 3,750,984 A
• Filed: 05/11/1972
• Issued: 08/07/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gerard Lafortune, Henri Mouttet
• Original Assignee: Gerard Lafortune, Henri Mouttet
• Inventors: Mouttet, Henri, Lafortune, Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): Buchler, Milton
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kelmachter, Barry L.
• Application Number:
  US05/252,292
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 244/78,75R,76R,83R 74/469,490 114/144R
• US Class Current: 244/76.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/345 with artificial feel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20 Control lever and linkage systems

Abstract

A relay, incorporated in a single box, and including a single torsion spring which provides a reaction force equal and opposite to forces applied to the relay so that play between the parts is eliminated. The relay is used in an aircraft control system, being connected by a link with a manual control element and a servo-motor. The servo-motor coacts with the relay and actuates a control surface of the aircraft. The relay includes a pivotable connecting link fixed to a pivot pin. The pivot pin is connected, through a quadrant which meshes with a pinion gear, to a shaft. The shaft carries a disc at one end. Movement of the shaft may be restricted by an electro-magnetic brake. The relay reacts to movement of either the manual control element or the central surface so as to provide a feel force for the pilot of the aircraft.

Claims

1. In a mechanical control system for actuating a controlled element, the mechanical control system comprising a manual control element and a mechanical transmission which interconnects the manual control element and the controlled element, the mechanical transmission including a servo-motor for actuating the controlled element independently of the manual control element;

there is provided a mechanical relay between the manual control element and the servo-motor, the relay providing a reaction for the servo-motor, to enable the servo-motor to actuate the controlled element while permitting the manual control element to act through the servo-motor to actuate the controlled element;

wherein the improvement comprises the mechanical relay comprising a pivot pin;

a link pivotable with said pivot pin;

means articulating said link to the transmission meanS;

means connecting said link to means locking said link in a predetermined position; and

resilient means coupled with said link and arranged to oppose a force applied to move said link about said pivot pin.

2. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said pivot pin is fixed to a finger extending parallel to the pivot axis of said link, said finger being normally disposed along an extension of a second finger connected to said locking means, said two fingers being engaged between two jaws of a spring-loaded gripper, said jaws being pivotable around the link axis.

3. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said resilient means comprise a helical spring, extending coaxially of the link axis, each end of said spring cooperative with one jaw of the gripper in the clamping direction of the jaws.

4. The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said gripper jaws act on electric contact means in a control circuit for said servo-motor.

5. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said locking means comprise a quadrant rack pivotable around said link axis, said rack being in mesh with a pinion mounted on a shaft, said locking means acting on said shaft.

6. The improvement according to claim 5, wherein said shaft has a disc mounted thereon, said disc being adapted to be clamped on its periphery to be locked in position by electromagnetic means operating against a resilient force.

7. The improvement according to claim 6, wherein said shaft is rotated by a motor through a clutch permitting said shaft to be rotationally located relative to said electromagnetic means.

8. The improvement according to claim 7 wherein said shaft comprises means for repeating an angular position relative to said electromagnetic means.

9. The improvement according to claim 8 wherein said repeater means transmit a signal to a remote control means of said motor.

10. An aircraft control system for actuating a control surface, the system comprising a manual control element and a mechanical transmission, which interconnects the manual control element and the control surface, a servo-motor for actuating the control surface independently of the manual control element automatic aircraft control means for controlling the servo-motor, a relay providing a reaction for the servo-motor to enable the servo-motor to actuate the control surface while permitting the manual control element to act through the servo-motor to actuate the control surface, said relay comprising a pivot pin;

a link pivotable with said pivot pin;

means articulating said link to the transmission means;

means connecting said link to means locking said link in a predetermined position; and

resilient means coupled with said link and arranged to oppose a force applied to move said link about said pivot pin.

11. The aircraft control system according to claim 10 wherein said automatic aircraft control means comprises an automatic pilot facility.

12. The aircraft control system according to claim 10 wherein said automatic aircraft control means comprises a stability boosting system.