Patent US3020493A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3688099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic control system with a digital computer
Assignee: BAE Systems Aircraft Controls Inc
•
Filing: 1971-04-28
•
Granted: 1972-08-29
•
Expires: 1991-04-28
Abstract
Abstract A redundant flight control system having a pair of digital computers programmed to generate a command signal responsive to the individual outputs of three sensors. Two of the sensors represent a desired parameter and a third sensor represents a different, but related parameter. The computers are programmed as follows: 1. To derive the desired parameter from the sensor representing the related parameter, to compare the three representations of the desired parameter, and to indicate a sensor fault when one of the representations deviates too much from the other two; 2. To produce a resultant signal having a standard value responsive to a test signal applied to the input of the computer and to indicate a computer fault when the resultant signal deviates from the standard value; 3. To produce from a follow-up signal an inverse model response representative of the actuator driven by the command signal, to compare this model response with a representation of the command signal stored in the computer memory, and to indicate an actuator fault when the model response deviates from the command signal representation; and 4. To compare the stored representations of the command signals of the two computers and to indicate a discrepancy therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard G Buscher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:02
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/0055; G05D1/0077
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A fail-safe automatic control system comprising: an element to be controlled; means for sensing a parameter related to the control exercised over the element, the sensing means generating an electrical sensor signal representative of the sensed parameter; a programmable digital computer having an input and an output; means for coupling an electrical test signal to the input of the computer; means for coupling the sensor signal to the input of the computer; the computer being programmed to perform a test program that produces a resultant signal at the output of the computer responsive to the test signal at the input of the computer and an operational program that produces a command signal at the output of the computer responsive to the sensor signal at the input of the computer; means responsive to the command signal at the output of the computer for actuating the element so as to change the sensed parameter; means for comparing the value of the resultant signal produced responsive to the test signal with a standard value; and means responsive to the comparing means for indicating a fault of the computer test.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A fail-safe automatic control system comprising: an element to be controlled; means for sensing a parameter related to the control exercised over the element, the sensing means generating an electrical sensor signal representative of the sensed parameter; a programmable digital computer having an input and an output; means for coupling an electrical test signal to the input of the computer; means for coupling the sensor signal to the input of the computer; the computer being programmed to perform a test program that produces a resultant signal at the output of the computer responsive to the test signal at the input of the computer and an operational program that produces a command signal at the output of the computer responsive to the sensor signal at the input of the computer; means responsive to the command signal at the output of the computer for actuating the element so as to change the sensed parameter; means for comparing the value of the resultant signal produced responsive to the test signal with a standard value; and means responsive to the comparing means for indicating a fault of the computer test.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
120 words
The control system of claim 1, additionally comprising: means for generating an electrical follow-up signal representative of the actual response of the element to the actuating means; means for coupling the follow-up signal to the input of the computer; and means for indicating a fault of the actuating means; the computer being additionally programmed to perform a model program that produces a model signal representing the inverse of the response of the actuating means from the follow-up signal at the input of the computer, stores the command signal in the computer memory, compares the model signal with the command signal, and actuates the fault indicating means of the actuating means when a discrepancy exists between the model and command signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
The control system of claim 2, additionally comprising: means for indicating a fault of the sensing means, the sensing means comprising at least three sensors that generate individual electrical sensor signals and the computer being additionally programmed to perform a sensor comparison program that actuates the fault indicating means of the sensing means when one of the individual sensor signals deviates from the remaining two individual sensor signals by a predetermined amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The control system of claim 3, in which one of the individual sensor signals represents a parameter different from but related to the parameter represented by the remaining individual sensor signals and the computer is programmed to perform a derived sensor program that produces a derived sensor signal representative of the principle parameter responsive to the different sensor signal, the sensor comparison program operating upon the derived sensor signal and the remaining sensor signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
The control system of claim 4, additionally comprising another programmable digital computer having an input and an output, the other computer being programmed to perform a test program that produces a resultant signal at the output of the computer responsive to the test signal at the input of the computer and an operational program that produces a command signal at the output of the computer responsive to the sensor signal at the input of the computer; means for indicating a discrepancy between the command signals generated pursuant to the operational programs of the computers, the computers being additionally programmed to perform a cross-channel comparison program that actuates the discrepancy indicating means when the command signals stored in the respective computer memories deviate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
The control system of claim 1, additionally comprising: means for generating an electrical follow-up signal representative of the actual response of the element to the actuating means; means for coupling the follow-up signal to the input of the computer; and means for indicating a fault of the actuating means; the computer being additionally programmed to perform a model program that produces a model response of the actuating means, compares the model response with the actual response of the actuating means, and actuates the fault indicating means of the actuating means when a discrepancy exists between the model and actuaL responses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The control system of claim 1, additionally comprising means for indicating a fault of the sensing means, the sensing means comprising at least three sensors that generate individual electrical sensor signals and the computer being additionally programmed to perform a sensor comparison program that actuates the fault indicating means of the sensing means when one of the individual sensor signals deviates from the remaining two individual sensor signals by a predetermined amount.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The control system of claim 1, in which the sensing means comprises at least three sensors that generate individual electrical sensor signals, one of the individual sensor signals representing a parameter different from but related to the parameter represented by the remaining individual sensor signals and the computer being programmed to perform a derived sensor program that produces a derived sensor signal representative of the principal parameter responsive to the different sensor signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
The control system of claim 1, additionally comprising another programmable digital computer having an input and an output, the other computer being programmed to perform a test program that produces a resultant signal at the output of the computer responsive to the test signal at the input of the computer and an operational program that produces a command signal at the output of the computer responsive to the sensor signal at the input of the computer; means for indicating a discrepancy between the command signals generated pursuant to the operational programs of the computers, the computers being additionally programmed to perform a cross-channel comparison program that actuates the discrepancy indicating means when the command signals stored in the respective computer memories deviate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
211 words
A fail-safe automatic control system comprising: an element to be controlled; means for sensing a parameter related to the control exercised over the element, the sensing means generating an electrical sensor signal representative of the sensed parameter; a first programmable digital computer having an input and an output; a second programmable digital computer having an input and an output; means for coupling an electrical test signal to the inputs of the first and second computers; means for coupling the sensor signal to the inputs of the first and second computers; the first and second computers each being programmed to perform a test program that produces a resultant signal at the outputs of the computers responsive to the test signal at the inputs of the computers and an operational program that produces a command signal at the outputs of the computers responsive to the sensor signal at the inputs of the computers; means responsive to the command signal at the outputs of the computers for actuating the element so as to change the sensed parameter; means for comparing the value of the resultant signal produced by each computer responsive to the test signal with a standard value; and means responsive to the comparing means for indicating a fault of the computer test.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
211 words
A fail-safe automatic control system comprising: an element to be controlled; means for sensing a parameter related to the control exercised over the element, the sensing means generating an electrical sensor signal representative of the sensed parameter; a first programmable digital computer having an input and an output; a second programmable digital computer having an input and an output; means for coupling an electrical test signal to the inputs of the first and second computers; means for coupling the sensor signal to the inputs of the first and second computers; the first and second computers each being programmed to perform a test program that produces a resultant signal at the outputs of the computers responsive to the test signal at the inputs of the computers and an operational program that produces a command signal at the outputs of the computers responsive to the sensor signal at the inputs of the computers; means responsive to the command signal at the outputs of the computers for actuating the element so as to change the sensed parameter; means for comparing the value of the resultant signal produced by each computer responsive to the test signal with a standard value; and means responsive to the comparing means for indicating a fault of the computer test.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
127 words
The control system of claim 10, additionally comprising: means for generating an electrical follow-up signal representative of the actual response of the element to the actuating means; means for coupling the follow-up signal to the inputs of the first and second computers; and means for indicating a fault of the actuating means; the first and second computers each being additionally programmed to perform a model program that produces a model signal representing the inverse of the response of the actuating means from the follow-up signal at the inputs of the computers, stores the command signal in the computer memory, compares the model signal with the command signal, and actuates the fault indicating means of the actuating means when a discrepancy exists between the model and command signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
The control system of claim 11, additionally comprising: means for indIcating a fault of the sensing means, the sensing means comprising at least three sensors that generate individual electrical sensor signals and the first and second computers each being additionally programmed to perform a sensor comparison program that actuates the fault indicating means of the sensing means when one of the individual sensor signals deviates from the remaining two individual sensor signals by a predetermined amount.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
78 words
The control system of claim 12, in which one of the individual sensor signals represents a parameter different from but related to the parameter represented by the remaining individual sensor signals and the first and second computers are each programmed to perform a derived sensor program that produces a derived sensor signal representative of the principal parameter responseive to the different sensor signal, the sensor comparison program operating upon the derived sensor signal and the remaining sensor signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
The control system of claim 13, additionally comprising means for indicating a discrepancy between the command signals generated pursuant to the operational programs of the first and second computers, the first and second computers each being additionally programmed to perform a cross-channel comparison program that actuates the command signal discrepancy indicating means when the command signals stores in the respective computer memories deviate.
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) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |