US3719336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fault detector for helicopter feel augmentation system
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1971-05-20
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Granted: 1973-03-06
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Expires: 1991-05-20
Abstract
Abstract In a feel augmentation control system for high speed helicopters in which a force is applied to the cyclic stick in direct proportion to the load induced by movement of the stick, redundant force actuator controls responsive to sensed inputs are provided. If any unbalance in the electrical or mechanical properties of the redundant controls occurs, the force actuator controls in the feel augmentation system are deactivated and a damping force is provided for the cyclic stick. The cyclic stick can be actuated by the pilot against the damping force, and the force actuator controls will not reengage unless reset.
Inventors
- 👤 D Fowler
- 👤 H Heiney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:33
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C27/00; B64C27/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
In a force-feel system for a helicopter having a cyclic stick in which deflection of said cyclic stick causes an attitude change in said helicopter about the pitch or roll axis thereof, said system producing first and second control signals each having a magnitude proportional to the load induced on said helicopter as a result of said cyclic stick deflection, the improvement which comprises a control rod having one end connected to said cyclic stick, a yoke member pivotally connected at its center to the other end of said control rod, said yoke member extending at substantially right angles to said control rod, first and second actuator members pivotally connected to the ends of said yoke member at opposite ends thereof, first and second servo means rEsponsive respectively to said first and second control signals, each said servo means applying a force proportional to the magnitude of said control signals to one of said actuator members, said forces being transmitted through said control rod to said cyclic stick in a direction to oppose the deflection thereof, means connected between said yoke member and said control rod for preventing rotation of said yoke member about the end of the control rod to which it is connected when the difference between the forces applied to said first and second actuator members is below a predetermined magnitude, synchro means connected with said yoke member for generating an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said yoke member about said control rod, and level detector means responsive to said output signal for deactivating both said servo means and removing said forces when said output signal exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
In a force-feel system for a helicopter having a cyclic stick in which deflection of said cyclic stick causes an attitude change in said helicopter about the pitch or roll axis thereof, said system producing first and second control signals each having a magnitude proportional to the load induced on said helicopter as a result of said cyclic stick deflection, the improvement which comprises a control rod having one end connected to said cyclic stick, a yoke member pivotally connected at its center to the other end of said control rod, said yoke member extending at substantially right angles to said control rod, first and second actuator members pivotally connected to the ends of said yoke member at opposite ends thereof, first and second servo means rEsponsive respectively to said first and second control signals, each said servo means applying a force proportional to the magnitude of said control signals to one of said actuator members, said forces being transmitted through said control rod to said cyclic stick in a direction to oppose the deflection thereof, means connected between said yoke member and said control rod for preventing rotation of said yoke member about the end of the control rod to which it is connected when the difference between the forces applied to said first and second actuator members is below a predetermined magnitude, synchro means connected with said yoke member for generating an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said yoke member about said control rod, and level detector means responsive to said output signal for deactivating both said servo means and removing said forces when said output signal exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
277 words
In a force-feel system for a helicopter having a cyclic stick in which deflection of said cyclic stick causes an attitude change in said helicopter about the pitch or roll axis thereof, said system producing first and second control signals each having a magnitude proportional to the load induced on said helicopter as a result of said cyclic stick deflection, the improvement which comprises a control rod having one end connected to said cyclic stick, a yoke member pivotally connected at its center to the other end of said control rod, said yoke member extending at substantially right angles to said control rod, first and second actuator members pivotally connected to the ends of said yoke member at opposite ends thereof, first and second servo means rEsponsive respectively to said first and second control signals, each said servo means applying a force proportional to the magnitude of said control signals to one of said actuator members, said forces being transmitted through said control rod to said cyclic stick in a direction to oppose the deflection thereof, means connected between said yoke member and said control rod for preventing rotation of said yoke member about the end of the control rod to which it is connected when the difference between the forces applied to said first and second actuator members is below a predetermined magnitude, synchro means connected with said yoke member for generating an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said yoke member about said control rod, and level detector means responsive to said output signal for deactivating both said servo means and removing said forces when said output signal exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
277 words
In a force-feel system for a helicopter having a cyclic stick in which deflection of said cyclic stick causes an attitude change in said helicopter about the pitch or roll axis thereof, said system producing first and second control signals each having a magnitude proportional to the load induced on said helicopter as a result of said cyclic stick deflection, the improvement which comprises a control rod having one end connected to said cyclic stick, a yoke member pivotally connected at its center to the other end of said control rod, said yoke member extending at substantially right angles to said control rod, first and second actuator members pivotally connected to the ends of said yoke member at opposite ends thereof, first and second servo means rEsponsive respectively to said first and second control signals, each said servo means applying a force proportional to the magnitude of said control signals to one of said actuator members, said forces being transmitted through said control rod to said cyclic stick in a direction to oppose the deflection thereof, means connected between said yoke member and said control rod for preventing rotation of said yoke member about the end of the control rod to which it is connected when the difference between the forces applied to said first and second actuator members is below a predetermined magnitude, synchro means connected with said yoke member for generating an output signal indicative of the amount of rotation of said yoke member about said control rod, and level detector means responsive to said output signal for deactivating both said servo means and removing said forces when said output signal exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 in which each of said servo means includes damping means for restricting motion of its associated actuator member when said servo means is deactivated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 and including an OR circuit, means connecting the output from said level detector means to said OR circuit, a latch circuit, means connecting the output from said OR circuit to said latch circuit, and means connecting the output from said latch circuit to said servo means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 and including means comparing said first and second control signals to produce an error signal proportional to the difference therebetween, and means connecting said error signal to said OR circuit as an input thereto when said error signal is above a predetermined magnitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 and including reset means for said latch circuit.
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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) | 1976-03-05 | 1976-09-04 | 1977-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-05 | 1980-09-04 | 1981-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-05 | 1984-09-04 | 1985-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |