Freeplay monitor
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring freeplay within an actuator, said method comprising:
- collecting a plurality of actuator parameter data sets during a predetermined period as a drive motor of an actuator is commanded to repeatedly drive an output ram of the actuator between an extending direction and a retracting direction;
selectively isolating various sets of the plurality of actuator parameter data sets that meet specific predetermined criterion; and
computing an amount of freeplay value within the actuator based on the isolated actuator parameter data sets, the amount of freeplay indicative of an amount of mechanical wear within the actuator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring freeplay within an actuator is provided. In accordance with various embodiments, the method includes collecting a plurality of actuator parameter data sets during a predetermined period. During the predetermined time period the actuator drive motor is commanded to extend and retract an actuator output ram operably connected to a movable component of a structural system such as a mobile platform. The method additionally includes selectively isolating various sets of the plurality of actuator parameter data sets that meet specific predetermined criterion. Furthermore, the method includes computing an amount of freeplay value within the actuator based on the isolated actuator parameter data sets.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring freeplay within an actuator, said method comprising:
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collecting a plurality of actuator parameter data sets during a predetermined period as a drive motor of an actuator is commanded to repeatedly drive an output ram of the actuator between an extending direction and a retracting direction; selectively isolating various sets of the plurality of actuator parameter data sets that meet specific predetermined criterion; and computing an amount of freeplay value within the actuator based on the isolated actuator parameter data sets, the amount of freeplay indicative of an amount of mechanical wear within the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for monitoring freeplay within an actuator that controls movement of a control surface of the mobile platform, said method comprising:
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generating at least; an actuator drive motor position signal comprising a plurality of motor position data indicative of a position of a drive motor of an actuator during a predetermined data collection period as the drive motor is commanded to repeatedly drive an output ram of the actuator between an extending direction and a retracting direction; a drive motor velocity signal comprising a plurality of motor velocity data indicative of the drive motor velocity during the data collection period, and an actuator output ram position signal comprising a plurality of ram position data indicative of the actuator output ram position during the data collection period; collecting a plurality of actuator parameter data sets during the data collection period, each actuator parameter data set comprising a motor position data value, a motor velocity data value and a ram position data value; selectively isolating various sets of the plurality of actuator parameter data sets that include a motor position data value within a motor position range, a motor velocity data value within a motor velocity range and a ram position data value within a ram position range; and computing an amount of freeplay value within the actuator for the data collection period based on the isolated actuator parameter data sets, the amount of freeplay indicative of an amount of mechanical wear within the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for monitoring the reliability status of a mobile platform actuator that controls movement of a control surface of the mobile platform, said system comprising:
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a mobile platform computing system adapted to generate at least; an actuator drive motor position signal comprising a plurality of motor position data indicative of a drive motor position during a predetermined data collection period as the drive motor is commanded to repeatedly drive an actuator output ram between an extending direction and a retracting direction; a drive motor velocity signal comprising a plurality of motor velocity data indicative of the drive motor velocity during the data collection period, and an actuator output ram position signal comprising a plurality of ram position data indicative of the actuator output ram position during the data collection period; and an actuator freeplay monitor module operable in cooperation with the mobile platform computing system, the actuator freeplay monitor module adapted to; collect a plurality of actuator parameter data sets during the data collection period, each actuator parameter data set comprising a motor position data value, a motor velocity data value and a ram position data value; selectively isolate various sets of the plurality of actuator parameter data sets that include a motor position data value within a motor position range, a motor velocity data value within a motor velocity range and a ram position data value within a ram position range; and generate an amount of freeplay value within the actuator for the data collection period based on the isolated actuator parameter data sets. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification