Portable servoactuator test system

• US 4,782,292 A
• Filed: 04/23/1984
• Issued: 11/01/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
• Inventors: McBride, Charles S., Gilfoy, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Karlsen, Ernest F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, VINH P
• Application Number:
  US06/603,014
• Time in Patent Office: 1,653 Days
• Field of Search: 324/158 R, 324/73 R, 324/158 SY, 324/158 SM, 364/551, 364/424, 244/194, 244/195, 244/1 R, 434/30, 434/37, 434/49
• US Class Current: 324/73.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/60 Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold

Abstract

A portable system which is used to accomplish in situ testing of actuators on aerospace vehicles. The test system includes a control interface allowing an operator to select specific predetermined tests to be conducted upon servoactuators. A microcomputer controls the sequencing of the tests, the results of which are compared to predetermined tolerance limitations to ascertain whether or not the actuator being tested is faulty.

Claims

1. A portable testing system for use by an operator for onboard flight line testing of servoactuators on aircraft comprising:

(A) a housing containing the portable system;

(B) cable means for interconnecting said system to an aircraft to provide electrical signals simulating flight control for testing preselected servoactuators on said aircraft;

(C) means for selecting one of a plurality of servoactuators on said aircraft including an interface means for use by the operator and for selecting a sequence of test to be applied to said selected actuator for testing said selected actuator without mechanically disconnecting said selected actuator from said aircraft;

(D) means for generating a plurality of electrical command signals simulating flight control of said servoactuator which has been selected for testing;

(E) means for selectively sequentially applying said plurality of electrical command signals to said preselected servoactuator for causing said actuator to react responsively thereto;

(F) means for receiving from said actuator test results electrical signals generated responsive to reactions of said actuator to said command signals;

(G) means for comparing said test results signals to predetermined tolerance values to ascertain operability of said selected servoactuator;

(H) means for automatically applying the next sequential command signal when the compared test results are within said predetermined tolerances;

(I) means for automatically stopping said sequential application of said command signals responsive to said test results being outside said tolerances; and

(J) means for providing an indication to an operator that said selected actuator has failed to provide signals within said tolerances.

2. The portable system as defined in claim 1 which further includes means for temporarily storing said test result signals.

3. The portable system as defined in claim 1 which further includes means for generating signals for self-testing said system prior to generating command signals for application to said servoactuators.