US3641833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical amplifier
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1969-09-30
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Granted: 1972-02-15
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Expires: 1989-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A mechanical amplifier is provided for use in a failure correction control system in which the amplifier receives two mechanical input signals during failure-free operation of the control system, and combines these signals to produce an output. The amplifier includes two mechanical channels which can comprise a series of pivotally connected links. Each channel includes an input element that receives a separate input signal and transmits this signal to an output member. Gain control means are connected to each channel to restore a full range of movement to the output member if one of the input signals is jammed. The gain control means increase the length of the output moment arm in the nonfailed channel. This increased moment arm increases the distance the nonfailed channel can move the output member and offsets the effect of the failed channel. The amplifier also includes disconnect failure accommodation means for maintaining a full range of output after a disconnect failure in the linkage supplying one input signal, or in one channel of the amplifier.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Maroshick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:09
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C13/00; B64C13/24; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20213; Y10T74/20372
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
376 words
A mechanical amplifier for use in a failure correction control system in which the amplifier receives two similar mechanical input signals during normal operation of the control system, the amplifier comprising: a. a frame; b. a first channel for receiving one of the input signals and transmitting the signal to the output of the system, said first channel including an input element mounted on said frame for rotational movement about a first axis relative to said frame in response to one of the input signals, a plurality of pivotally connected links connected in series to said input element; and a terminal arm pivotally connected to the last link in the series. c. a second channel for receiving the other input signal and for transmitting this signal to the output of the system, said second channel including an input element mounted on said frame for rotational movement about a second axis relative to said frame in response to the other signal, a plurality of pivotally connected links connected in series to said input element, and a terminal arm pivotally connected to the last link in the series; d. the links of said first channel and the links of said second channel each being connected by a pivot pin to an adjacent link for pivotal movement, each of said links of said first channel and said second channel pivoting about parallel axes; and e. a gain control means including a switching arm pivotally mounted on said frame and pivotally connected to a link of each of said first and second channels, and means for fixing said switching arm in various rotational positions relative to said frame, including a position in which i. said switching arm fixes one of said pivot pins connected to a link in said first channel in coaxial alignment with said first axis to null out the effect of a jam failure in said first channel, and ii. said switching arm increases the radial distance between one of said pivot pins connected to a link in said second channel and said second axis to increase the range of travel of said terminal arm of said second channel in response to the input signal to the second channel upon a jam failure in said first channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
376 words
A mechanical amplifier for use in a failure correction control system in which the amplifier receives two similar mechanical input signals during normal operation of the control system, the amplifier comprising: a. a frame; b. a first channel for receiving one of the input signals and transmitting the signal to the output of the system, said first channel including an input element mounted on said frame for rotational movement about a first axis relative to said frame in response to one of the input signals, a plurality of pivotally connected links connected in series to said input element; and a terminal arm pivotally connected to the last link in the series. c. a second channel for receiving the other input signal and for transmitting this signal to the output of the system, said second channel including an input element mounted on said frame for rotational movement about a second axis relative to said frame in response to the other signal, a plurality of pivotally connected links connected in series to said input element, and a terminal arm pivotally connected to the last link in the series; d. the links of said first channel and the links of said second channel each being connected by a pivot pin to an adjacent link for pivotal movement, each of said links of said first channel and said second channel pivoting about parallel axes; and e. a gain control means including a switching arm pivotally mounted on said frame and pivotally connected to a link of each of said first and second channels, and means for fixing said switching arm in various rotational positions relative to said frame, including a position in which i. said switching arm fixes one of said pivot pins connected to a link in said first channel in coaxial alignment with said first axis to null out the effect of a jam failure in said first channel, and ii. said switching arm increases the radial distance between one of said pivot pins connected to a link in said second channel and said second axis to increase the range of travel of said terminal arm of said second channel in response to the input signal to the second channel upon a jam failure in said first channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
161 words
The invention of claim 1 including an output member mounted for translational movement relative to said frame, and wherein said terminal arms of said first and second channels are structurally connected and aligned in a plane, said terminal arms being pivotally mounted on said output member at a given axis, and including disconnect failure accommodation means for moving said output member through its full range of travel even after a disconnect failure occurs in one of the input signals or one of said channels, said disconnect failure accommodation means connecting said terminal arms and said output member at a point spaced from said given axis so that said terMinal arms and said output member move translationally with respect to each other even after a disconnect failure occurs in one of said channels, said disconnect failure accommodation means being releasable to permit said terminal arms to pivot about said axis of said output member if a jam failure occurs in either channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
The invention of claim 2 in which said disconnect failure accommodation means includes an opening in said output member; a detent member mounted on said structurally connected terminal arms and having a seating slot that is aligned with said opening in said output member when the input signals are in phase, said detent member being mounted for movement with one of said terminal arms; and a releasable pin for insertion through said opening and said slot to structurally connect said output member and said terminal lever arm of said one channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 1 in which said first and second axes are coaxially aligned; and including a connecting arm that is pivotally connected to a link of said first channel and pivotally connected to a link of said second channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
342 words
A mechanical amplifier for use in a failure correction control system in which the amplifier receives two active mechanical input signals that are combined in the amplifier to produce an output signal during normal failure-free operation of the control system, said amplifier comprising: a. a frame; b. an output member mounted on said frame for a range of translational movement relative to said frame; c. a first channel for receiving one of the input signals and transmitting the signal to said output member, said first channel including an input element mounted on said frame for rotational movement about a first axis relative to said frame in response to the input signal; a plurality of links pivotally connected in series to said input element; and a terminal arm pivotally connected to the last link in the series, and pivotally connected to said output member; d. a second channel for receiving the other input signal and for transmitting this signal to said output member, said second channel including an input element mounted on said frame for rotational movement about a second axis in response to the other input signal, a plurality of links pivotally connected in series to said input element and a terminal arm pivotally connected to the last link in the series and pivotally connected to said output member; said terminal arms of said first and second channels being aligned in a common plane and fixedly connected so that said arms are capable of pivoting together about a single axis of said output member; and e. gain control means for restoring the full range of movement to said output member if one of the mechanical input signals fails, said gain control means mounted on said frame and connected to a link of each of said first and second channels for fixing the position of a pivot pin connecting the terminal arm and the last link of the inactive channel, and for increasing the travel of a pivot pin connecting the terminal arm and the last lever arm of the remaining active channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
342 words
A mechanical amplifier for use in a failure correction control system in which the amplifier receives two active mechanical input signals that are combined in the amplifier to produce an output signal during normal failure-free operation of the control system, said amplifier comprising: a. a frame; b. an output member mounted on said frame for a range of translational movement relative to said frame; c. a first channel for receiving one of the input signals and transmitting the signal to said output member, said first channel including an input element mounted on said frame for rotational movement about a first axis relative to said frame in response to the input signal; a plurality of links pivotally connected in series to said input element; and a terminal arm pivotally connected to the last link in the series, and pivotally connected to said output member; d. a second channel for receiving the other input signal and for transmitting this signal to said output member, said second channel including an input element mounted on said frame for rotational movement about a second axis in response to the other input signal, a plurality of links pivotally connected in series to said input element and a terminal arm pivotally connected to the last link in the series and pivotally connected to said output member; said terminal arms of said first and second channels being aligned in a common plane and fixedly connected so that said arms are capable of pivoting together about a single axis of said output member; and e. gain control means for restoring the full range of movement to said output member if one of the mechanical input signals fails, said gain control means mounted on said frame and connected to a link of each of said first and second channels for fixing the position of a pivot pin connecting the terminal arm and the last link of the inactive channel, and for increasing the travel of a pivot pin connecting the terminal arm and the last lever arm of the remaining active channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
190 words
The invention of claim 5 in which the links of said first channel and the links of said second channel all pivot about parallel axes, and including a connecting arm that is pivotally connected by a pivot pin to a link of said first channel and pivotally connected to a link of said second channel; and said gain control means includes a switching arm pivotally mounted on said frame and pivotally connected to a link of each of said first and second channels, and means for fixing said switching arm in various rotational positions relative to said frame, including a position in which i. said switching arm fixes one of said pivot pins connected to a link in said first channel in coaxial alignment with said first axis to null out the effect of a jam failure in said first channel, and ii. said switch arm increases the radial distance between one of said pivot pins connected to a link in said second channel and said second axis to increase the range of travel of said terminal arm of said second channel upon a jam failure in said first channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
The invention of claim 6 in which said first and second axis are coaxially aligned and the input elements of said first and second channels are pivotable in spaced planes about a common axis; and each channel includes a first, second, and third link, and also includes an idler arm that is pivotally mounted on said frame and pivotally mounted on a pin that pivotally connects said second and third links; and said gain control means comprises switching arm pivotally mounted on said frame, structural means pivotally connecting said switching arm and said second link of said first channel, and means to fix the position of said switching arm relative to said frame, said gain control means being capable of moving a pin connecting said first and second link of either channel away from said common axis when a failure occurs in the other channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
The invention of claim 5 including disconnect failure accommodation means for moving the output member through its full range of travel even after a disconnect failure occurs in one of said channels, said disconnect failure accommodation means connecting said output member and said terminal arms so that said output member moves translationally with said terminal arms, said disconnect failure accommodation means being releasable to permit said terminal arms to pivot with respect to said output member if a jam failure occurs in either input signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention of claim 5 in which said disconnect failure control means includes an opening in said output member; a detent member having a slot that is aligned with the opening in said output member when the input signals are in phase, said detent member mounted for movement with said terminal arms, and a releasable pin for insertion through said opening and said slot to structurally connect said output member and said terminal arms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
127 words
The invention of claim 5 in which the terminal arm of said first channel and the terminal arm of said second channel are aligned in a plane and fixedly connected to each other, and said terminal arms are each pivotally connected to said output member for rotation about a single axis; and including a disconnect failure accommodation means for moving the output member through its full range of travel even after a disconnect failure occurs in either channel, said disconnect failure control means including structural means connecting said terminal arms with a point on said output member spaced from said single axis, and including a releasable pin to permit said terminal arms to pivot about said single axis if a jam failure occurs in the control system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
The invention of claim 6 in which the terminal arm of said first channel and the terminal arm of said second channel are aligned in a plane and fixedly connected to each other, and said terminal arms are each pivotally connected to said output member for rotation about a single axis; and including a disconnect failure accommodation means for moving the output member through its full range of travel even after a disconnect failure occurs in either channel, said disconnect failure control means including structural means connecting said terminal arms with a point on said output member spaced from said single axis, and including a releasable pin to permit said terminal arms to pivot about said single axis if a jam failure occurs in the control system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
The invention of claim 7 in which the terminal arm of said first channel and the terminal arm of said second channel are aligned in a plane and fixedly connected to each other, and said terminal arms are each pivotally connected to said output member for rotation about a single axis; and including a disconnect failure accommodation means for moving the output member through its full range of travel even after a disconnect failure occurs in either channel, said disConnect failure control means including structural means connecting said terminal arms with a point on said output member spaced from said single axis, and including a releasable pin to permit said terminal arms to pivot about said single axis if a jam failure occurs in the control system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-14 | 1975-08-16 | 1976-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-14 | 1979-08-16 | 1980-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-14 | 1983-08-16 | 1984-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |