US3584429A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Angular positioning apparatus for vehicle simulator
Assignee: Link Miles Ltd
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Filing: 1968-07-18
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Granted: 1971-06-15
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Expires: 1988-07-18
Abstract
Abstract A simulator system comprising a device for simulating a vehicle, a support on which the simulator device is mounted for movement relative to the support, and apparatus for positioning the simulator device with respect to the support. In the positioning apparatus, an output shaft of a differential gear has a load driven thereby. The differential gear has two input shafts normally driven at equal speed so that the output shaft is stationary. The position of the load is changed by temporarily making the input shaft speeds unequal. To control the load position, a signal representing the actual position of the output shaft is obtained and compared with a reference signal representing the desired shaft position to derive an error signal. The speed of one of the input shafts is controlled by the error signal so that the output shaft is driven to adopt a position dependent on the reference signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Sidney Wadlow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:33
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/12; G09B9/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A simulator system comprising a device for simulating a vehicle, support means to which said simulator device is mounted for motion with respect to said support means, and apparatus for positioning said simulator device with respect to said support means, said apparatus comprising first and second input shafts, an output shaft and a differential gear coupling said first and second shafts to said output shaft to rotate the latter at a rate dependent on the difference between the rates of rotation of said first and second input shafts, said simulator device being coupled to said output shaft to be driven thereby; means responsive to the movement of said output shaft or of said simulator device to derive a signal representing the angular position of said output shaft or position of said simulator device respectively; means responsive to said positionrepresenting signal to compare the latter with a reference signal representing a desired position and derive an error signal from said comparison; and first and second drive means coupled to apply continuous drive to said first and second input shafts respectively, said first means being responsive to said error signal to control the rate of rotation of said first input shaft such that said output shaft or said simulator device adopts a position dependent on said reference signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
A simulator system comprising a device for simulating a vehicle, support means to which said simulator device is mounted for motion with respect to said support means, and apparatus for positioning said simulator device with respect to said support means, said apparatus comprising first and second input shafts, an output shaft and a differential gear coupling said first and second shafts to said output shaft to rotate the latter at a rate dependent on the difference between the rates of rotation of said first and second input shafts, said simulator device being coupled to said output shaft to be driven thereby; means responsive to the movement of said output shaft or of said simulator device to derive a signal representing the angular position of said output shaft or position of said simulator device respectively; means responsive to said positionrepresenting signal to compare the latter with a reference signal representing a desired position and derive an error signal from said comparison; and first and second drive means coupled to apply continuous drive to said first and second input shafts respectively, said first means being responsive to said error signal to control the rate of rotation of said first input shaft such that said output shaft or said simulator device adopts a position dependent on said reference signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for providing perturbation signals and means for combining said perturbation signals with said reference signal to modulate the latter whereby said output shaft or said simulator device adopts a position dependent on the modulated reference signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as claimed in 2, in which said comparison means comprises a computer for controlling the simulator system and said computer effects combination of said reference and perturbation signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said first drive means comprises a hydraulic motor coupled to said first input shaft and a valve in the hydraulic circuit of said motor, the valve being arranged to receive said error signal to control the valve clearance in dependence upon the value of said error signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprising a pulley mounted on said output shaft and a cord drive engaging said pulley and fastened to said simulator device to transmit drive thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus claimed in claim 1, in which said simulator device is coupled to said output shafT to rotate therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means coupled to said output shaft to derive a signal representing the rate of rotation of said output shaft, said comparison means being coupled to receive said rate signal and utilize same to modify the value of said error signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-14 | 1974-12-14 | 1975-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-14 | 1978-12-14 | 1979-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-14 | 1982-12-14 | 1983-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |