Aircraft servoactuator apparatus
First Claim
1. A combined series and trim actuator for aircraft automatic stabilization systems comprising:
- a housing adapted to be secured directly to the aircraft airframe and including input and output shafts coupled in the control rigging between the pilot'"'"'s control member and an aircraft control member,a first coupling means between said input shaft and said output shaft so constructed and arranged to permit resilient, limited relative motion therebetween,a second coupling means between said input shaft and said output shaft including clutch means so constructed and arranged that in a first state of said clutch means said input and output shafts are directly connected and in a second clutch means state, said input and output shafts are disconnected,servomotor means having its output connected to drive said output shaft through said second coupling means in said second clutch means state, andelectric signal means repsonsive to the difference in position between said input shaft and said output shaft for controlling said servomotor whereby to position said output shaft in accordance with the position of said input shaft within the authority of said first coupling means.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A single actuator unit is installed in an aircraft, for example, a helicopter, and is coupled to the control linkage from the pilot'"'"'s stick to perform the functions of series actuation, trim actuation, artificial feel, control position sensing, control limits and, if needed, force boost. Although the device performs as a series actuator, it is installed in and connected to the vehicle surface control linkages in the conventional parallel actuator manner and therefore greatly simplifies control system installation and reduces problems associated with control rod vibration resonances normally encountered with series actuator installations.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A combined series and trim actuator for aircraft automatic stabilization systems comprising:
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a housing adapted to be secured directly to the aircraft airframe and including input and output shafts coupled in the control rigging between the pilot'"'"'s control member and an aircraft control member, a first coupling means between said input shaft and said output shaft so constructed and arranged to permit resilient, limited relative motion therebetween, a second coupling means between said input shaft and said output shaft including clutch means so constructed and arranged that in a first state of said clutch means said input and output shafts are directly connected and in a second clutch means state, said input and output shafts are disconnected, servomotor means having its output connected to drive said output shaft through said second coupling means in said second clutch means state, and electric signal means repsonsive to the difference in position between said input shaft and said output shaft for controlling said servomotor whereby to position said output shaft in accordance with the position of said input shaft within the authority of said first coupling means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification