Aircraft control surface drive system and associated methods
First Claim
1. A control surface drive system for moving an aircraft control surface, the system being coupleable to a source of hydraulic fluid, comprising:
- first and second supply lines and a return line coupleable to the source of hydraulic fluid;
an actuator assembly coupled to the first and second supply lines and to the return line, the actuator assembly having;
a hydraulic actuator connectable to the aircraft control surface and being movable between first and second positions, the hydraulic actuator configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the first supply line when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the first position, and configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the second supply line when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the second position;
a flow blocking member coupled to the first and second supply lines and being movable between an open position and a closed position, with the flow blocking member in the closed position preventing movement of the hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic actuator; and
a bypass line in fluid communication with the first and second supply lines and positioned to direct hydraulic fluid from one of the first and second supply lines into the other one of the first and second supply lines at a position intermediate the source and the hydraulic actuator when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the first position to recycle the hydraulic fluid back into the other one of the first and second supply lines.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control surface drive system having a plurality of actuator assemblies are coupled to first and second supply lines and to a return line. The first and second supply lines are connected to a source of hydraulic fluid. At least one of the actuator assemblies has a hydraulic actuator movably connectable to an aircraft control surface. A flow control assembly is connected to the return line and to at least one of the first and second supply lines. A bypass line is in fluid communication with the first and second supply lines and positioned to recycle the hydraulic fluid from one of the first and second supply lines back into the other one of the first and second supply lines when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the first position. A computer controller operatively interconnects the plurality of actuator assemblies and the flow control assembly. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims (37 C.F.R. §1.72(b)).
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A control surface drive system for moving an aircraft control surface, the system being coupleable to a source of hydraulic fluid, comprising:
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first and second supply lines and a return line coupleable to the source of hydraulic fluid; an actuator assembly coupled to the first and second supply lines and to the return line, the actuator assembly having; a hydraulic actuator connectable to the aircraft control surface and being movable between first and second positions, the hydraulic actuator configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the first supply line when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the first position, and configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the second supply line when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the second position; a flow blocking member coupled to the first and second supply lines and being movable between an open position and a closed position, with the flow blocking member in the closed position preventing movement of the hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic actuator; and a bypass line in fluid communication with the first and second supply lines and positioned to direct hydraulic fluid from one of the first and second supply lines into the other one of the first and second supply lines at a position intermediate the source and the hydraulic actuator when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the first position to recycle the hydraulic fluid back into the other one of the first and second supply lines. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An aircraft system, comprising:
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first and second control surfaces; a source of hydraulic fluid; a first control system coupled to the first control surface and a second control system coupled to the second control surface, each of the first and second control systems comprising; first and second supply lines coupled to the source of hydraulic fluid; a return line coupled to the source of hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic actuator connected to at least one of the first and second aircraft control surfaces, the hydraulic actuator being movable between first and second positions, the hydraulic actuator configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the first supply line when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the first position, and configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the second supply line when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the second position; a flow blocking member coupled to the first and second supply lines and being movable between an open position and a closed position, the flow blocking member in the closed position prevents movement of the hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic actuator; and a bypass line in fluid communication with the first and second supply lines and positioned to direct hydraulic fluid from one of the first and second supply lines into the other one of the first and second supply lines upstream of the hydraulic actuator when the hydraulic actuator moves toward the first position to recycle the hydraulic fluid back into the other one of the first and second supply lines. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A control surface drive system for moving an aircraft control surface, the system being coupleable to a source of hydraulic fluid, comprising:
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first and second supply lines and a return line coupleable to the source of hydraulic fluid; means for moving the aircraft control surface coupled to the first and second supply lines and to the return line, the means for moving the aircraft control surface having; a means for hydraulically adjusting the control surface movable between first and second positions and configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the first supply line when the means for hydraulically adjusting the control surface moves toward the first position, and configured to receive hydraulic fluid from the second supply line when the means for hydraulically adjusting the control surface moves toward the second position; means for blocking flow of hydraulic fluid coupled to the first and second supply lines and being movable between an open position and a closed position, with the means for blocking flow of hydraulic fluid in the closed position preventing movement of the hydraulic fluid to and from the means for hydraulically adjusting the control surface; and a means for bypassing a portion of the hydraulic fluid in communication with the first and second supply lines and positioned to direct hydraulic fluid from one of the first and second supply lines into the other one of the first and second supply lines at a position intermediate the source and the means for hydraulically adjusting the control surface when the means for hydraulically adjusting the control surface moves toward the first position to recycle the hydraulic fluid back into the other one of the first and second supply lines. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification