Acceptance testing of actuators using backlash and stiction measurements
First Claim
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1. A test system to acceptance test an actuator, the test system comprising:
- a sensing circuit;
a controller; and
a communications medium connecting the sensing circuit and the controller, the controller being configured to;
obtain a first rate of change of an operating characteristic of the actuator, the first rate of change being based on previous measurements of actuator movement,generate a second rate of change of the operating characteristic of the actuator from current measurements of actuator movement and at least some of the previous measurements of actuator movement, andelectronically indicate whether the actuator is in acceptable condition based on a comparison of the second rate of change and the first rate of change;
wherein the actuator is configured to install at an operating location of an aircraft;
wherein the controller is configured to obtain the first rate of change, generate the second rate of change, and electronically indicate whether the actuator is in acceptable condition while the actuator remains installed at the operating location of the aircraft and while the aircraft is on ground;
wherein the operating characteristic of the actuator is backlash of the actuator;
wherein the first rate of change is based on actuator movement over a first operating interval;
and wherein the controller, when electronically indicating whether the actuator is in acceptable condition includes, is configured to;
provide a result signal indicating whether the backlash of the actuator has substantially increased over a second operating interval, the second operating interval being substantially equal to the first operating interval.
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Abstract
Aspects of the present invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for measuring certain actuator system parameters of an actuator, e.g., an EMA in its working environment. Stiction and backlash are examples of such parameters, and these indicate the impending failure of an actuator system than conventional approaches of measuring the elapsed time of operation. When the measured backlash and/or stiction parameters exhibit a deleterious increase over time, e.g., by exceeding a preset threshold, imminent failure or the need for service/repair of the system is indicated.
24 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A test system to acceptance test an actuator, the test system comprising:
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a sensing circuit; a controller; and a communications medium connecting the sensing circuit and the controller, the controller being configured to; obtain a first rate of change of an operating characteristic of the actuator, the first rate of change being based on previous measurements of actuator movement, generate a second rate of change of the operating characteristic of the actuator from current measurements of actuator movement and at least some of the previous measurements of actuator movement, and electronically indicate whether the actuator is in acceptable condition based on a comparison of the second rate of change and the first rate of change; wherein the actuator is configured to install at an operating location of an aircraft; wherein the controller is configured to obtain the first rate of change, generate the second rate of change, and electronically indicate whether the actuator is in acceptable condition while the actuator remains installed at the operating location of the aircraft and while the aircraft is on ground; wherein the operating characteristic of the actuator is backlash of the actuator; wherein the first rate of change is based on actuator movement over a first operating interval; and wherein the controller, when electronically indicating whether the actuator is in acceptable condition includes, is configured to; provide a result signal indicating whether the backlash of the actuator has substantially increased over a second operating interval, the second operating interval being substantially equal to the first operating interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A test system to acceptance test an actuator, the test system comprising:
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a sensing circuit; a controller; and a communications medium connecting the sensing circuit and the controller, the controller being configured to; obtain a first rate of change of an operating characteristic of the actuator, the first rate of change being based on previous measurements of actuator movement, generate a second rate of change of the operating characteristic of the actuator from current measurements of actuator movement and at least some of the previous measurements of actuator movement, and electronically indicate whether the actuator is in acceptable condition based on a comparison of the second rate of change and the first rate of change; wherein the actuator is configured to install at an operating location of an aircraft; wherein the controller is configured to obtain the first rate of change, generate the second rate of change, and electronically indicate whether the actuator is in acceptable condition while the actuator remains installed at the operating location of the aircraft and while the aircraft is on ground; wherein the operating characteristic of the actuator is stiction of the actuator; wherein the first rate of change is based on actuator movement over a first operating interval; and wherein the controller, when electronically indicating whether the actuator is in acceptable condition, is configured to; provide a result signal indicating whether the stiction of the actuator has substantially increased over a second operating interval, the second operating interval being substantially equal to the first operating interval. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of acceptance testing an actuator, the method comprising:
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obtaining a first rate of change of an operating characteristic of the actuator, the first rate of chance being based on previous measurements of actuator movement; generating a second rate of change of the operating characteristic of the actuator from current measurements of actuator movement and at least some of the previous measurements of actuator movement; and electronically indicating whether the actuator is in acceptable condition based on a comparison of the second rate of change and the first rate of change; and installing the actuator at an operating location of an aircraft; and wherein obtaining, generating, and electronically indicating occur while the actuator remains installed at the operating location of the aircraft and while the aircraft is on the ground; wherein the operating characteristic of the actuator is backlash of the actuator; wherein the first rate of change is based on actuator movement over a first operating interval; and wherein electronically indicating whether the actuator is in acceptable condition includes; providing a result signal indicating whether the backlash of the actuator has substantially increased over a second operating interval, the second operating interval being substantially equal to the first operating interval. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of acceptance testing an actuator, the method comprising:
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obtaining a first rate of change of an operating characteristic of the actuator, the first rate of change being based on previous measurements of actuator movement; generating a second rate of change of the operating characteristic of the actuator from current measurements of actuator movement and at least some of the previous measurements of actuator movement; and electronically indicating whether the actuator is in acceptable condition based on a comparison of the second rate of change and the first rate of change; and installing the actuator at an operating location of an aircraft; and wherein obtaining, generating, and electronically indicating occur while the actuator remains installed at the operating location of the aircraft and while the aircraft is on the ground; wherein the operating characteristic of the actuator is stiction of the actuator; wherein the first rate of change is based on actuator movement over a first operating interval; and wherein electronically indicating whether the actuator is in acceptable condition includes; providing a result signal indicating whether the stiction of the actuator has substantially increased over a second operating interval, the second operating interval being substantially equal to the first operating interval. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification