US3584503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft weight and center of gravity determination system which includes alarm,self-checking,and fault override circuitry
Assignee: BLH Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-04
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Granted: 1971-06-15
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Expires: 1989-12-04
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system is provided for measuring, computing and displaying the aircraft gross weight and to determine the center of gravity thereof. The weight of the aircraft and the distribution of the weight are sensed with strain gage transducers mounted in the landing gear axles and in the nose restraint. The output voltage from the transducers is a function of the vertical load thereon. The system incorporates circuitry for determining when the aircraft center of gravity is beyond a preset limit, selfchecking circuitry for determining if each channel and component part of the system is functioning properly, and fault override circuitry for utilizing a complimentary and symmetrical channel in place of a detected faulty channel whereby accurate measurements may be obtained despite the faulty channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald A Senour
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M1/00; G01M1/12; G01M1/122; G01M1/125; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/02; G01G19/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system comprising; a plurality of transducer channels mounted in relation to the aircraft landing gear axles for generating signals representative of a load experienced by said landing gear axles, a plurality of amplifiers for amplifying said generated signals from said plurality of transducer channels, means responsive to said amplified generated signals for determining the gross weight of said aircraft and the center of gravity thereof, means for self-checking said plurality of transducer channels, said plurality of amplifiers, and said means responsive to determine the proper functioning thereof, and, means for providing a fault override if in improper functioning of any of said plurality of transducers or said amplifying means is detected, whereby a complimentary and symmetrical transducer or amplifier channel will be substituted for said improper functioning transducer and amplifier channels such that an accurate gross weight and center of gravity measurement can be made despite said improper functioning channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system comprising; a plurality of transducer channels mounted in relation to the aircraft landing gear axles for generating signals representative of a load experienced by said landing gear axles, a plurality of amplifiers for amplifying said generated signals from said plurality of transducer channels, means responsive to said amplified generated signals for determining the gross weight of said aircraft and the center of gravity thereof, means for self-checking said plurality of transducer channels, said plurality of amplifiers, and said means responsive to determine the proper functioning thereof, and, means for providing a fault override if in improper functioning of any of said plurality of transducers or said amplifying means is detected, whereby a complimentary and symmetrical transducer or amplifier channel will be substituted for said improper functioning transducer and amplifier channels such that an accurate gross weight and center of gravity measurement can be made despite said improper functioning channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system as in claim 1, wherein is further included attitude sensing means for sensing the angle of inclination of said aircraft and for automatically correcting the center of gravity measurement therefore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system as in claim 2, wherein is further included alarm means for both visually and audibly indicating when said aircraft center of gravity is outside a preset limit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system as in claim 2, wherein said self-checking means includes a plurality of comparators, each of which is responsive to a predetermined separate transducer channel output signal for sequentially comparing said output signal between high and low voltage limits and switching means connected to the outputs of said comparators for indicating whether each of said channels are properly functioning.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system as in claim 4, wherein said alarm means includes an operational amplifier for comparing a voltage proportional to the reaction moments about said aircraft landing gear with a signal proportional to said gross weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
90 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system as in claim 5, wherein said means for determining gross weight includes an operational summing amplifier responsive to said amplified transducer output signals, a balancing circuit arrangement connected resistively to the output of said summing amplifier for providing an unbalanced signal in an amount proportional to said gross weight, a servomotor which is driven in an amount proportional to said unbalanced signal, and a readout device which is responsive to the driving of said motor for indicating said gross weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
106 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system as in claim 6, wherein said means for determining the center of gravity includes an operational amplifier responsive to said transducer output signals and an output from said attitude-sensing means, a resistive balancing circuit arrangement connected to the output of said operational amplifier which provides an unbalanced signal in an amount proportional to said center of gravity, a servomotor which is driven in an amount proportional to said center of gravity unbalanced signal and a readout device which is responsive to the driving of said center of gravity motor for indicating the aircraft center of gravity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system as in claim 7, wherein said self-checking means further includes first and second light-sensitive transistors connected to the outputs of said gross weight and said center of gravity readouts for turning on upon proper functioning of said gross weight and center of gravity-determining means, a silicon-controlled rectifier for switching upon activation of both said first and second light-sensitive transistors, and relay means connected to said silicon-controlled rectifier switch for indicating said proper functioning.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system as in claim 8, wherein each of said transducer channels includes a Wheatstone bridge circuit arrangement which includes electrical strain gage responsive elements connected in the arms thereof and mounted within expanding collets so as to respond to vertical loads only.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An aircraft gross weight and center of gravity determination system as in claim 9, wherein said plurality of amplifiers are each integrated circuit operational amplifiers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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 |