Systems for announcing the health of aircraft control elements

• US 8,457,836 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2010
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pendicom, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mitchell Gabriel Mircea Balasu, Raphael A. Monsanto
• Inventors: Balasu, Mitchell Gabriel Mircea, Monsanto, Raphael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOUIE, WAE LENNY
• Application Number:
  US12/661,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20100250047A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/3, 701/31.4, 701/36, 244/118.5, 244/118.6, 244/129.5, 244/200, 244/203
• US Class Current: 701/31.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/221 Procedure or apparatus for checking or keeping in a correct functioning condition of brake systems hydraulic pressure systems in general F15B19/00, F15B21/04; testing structures or apparatus G01M
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A system for announcing failure of a mechanically actuated arrangement employs a first coupler arrangement that couples an actuator to a structural element that is desired to be controlled, and a first force sensor is coupled to the first coupler arrangement. The first coupler arrangement and the first force sensor constitute a primary load path. Similarly, a second coupler arrangement is coupled to the actuator to the structural element and constitutes a secondary load path. Changes in the forces experienced by one or both of first and second force sensors are monitored by a controller/monitor system. A connector has a screw shaft in the primary load path and a preloaded tie rod in the secondary load path. Axial forces are generated by a drive motor, which can include a ball screw arrangement. Operating impulses generated by the ball screw arrangement are monitored during a predetermined interval of operation.

Claims

1. A system for announcing mechanical failure, the system comprising:

a mechanically actuated load bearing apparatus having first and second load bearing elements, each such load bearing element constituting a respective load path, the second load bearing element being configured to bear the load upon failure of the first load bearing element;

a first coupler arrangement for coupling the first load bearing element of said mechanically actuated load bearing apparatus to a structural element that is desired to be controlled;

a first force sensor coupled to said first coupler arrangement, said first coupler arrangement and said first force sensor constituting a primary load path;

a second coupler arrangement for coupling the second load bearing element of said mechanically actuated load bearing apparatus to the structural element that is desired to be controlled;

a second force sensor coupled to said second coupler arrangement, said second coupler arrangement and said second force sensor constituting a secondary load path; and

a controller for monitoring changes in the forces experienced by said first and second force sensors.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first force sensor is arranged serially with said first coupler arrangement.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said second force sensor is arranged serially with said second coupler arrangement.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first load bearing element is provided with a screw shaft portion for inclusion in the primary load path and the second load bearing element is provided with a tie rod portion for inclusion in the secondary load path.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the tie rod is preloaded.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the tie rod portion is arranged parallel to said screw shaft portion.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein there is further provided a drive motor for producing an axial force.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said drive motor comprises a ball screw arrangement.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein there is further provided a system for monitoring operating impulses generated by the ball screw arrangement during a predetermined interval of operation.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller compares the magnitude of the forces experienced by at least one of said first and second force sensors to a predetermined force value.