Patent US3789692A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3789692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Spoiler controlling mixer
Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corp
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Filing: 1972-05-04
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1992-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A mechanical mixer for producing a spoiler controlling output by predeterminately combining lateral, speed brake, ground spoiler and direct lift control inputs. The mixer accomplishes this through the use of cams, followers, summing linkage, and override devices.
Inventors
- 👤 A Farr
- 👤 L Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:13
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C13/00; B64C13/24; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A mixer for producing outputs for controlling a spoiler on an aircraft from lateral control, second and third inputs where it is desired that spoilers on opposite wings of the aircraft normally move in the same direction in response to second or third inputs, the mixer including: a base structure; a cam having a first cam surface of predetermined shape thereon, said cam being pivotally mounted to said base structure wherein changes in said lateral input cause said cam to pivot to changed positions; a first summing link, said first summing link including bias means to urge said first summing link in a predetermined direction, cam follower means, second input receiving means spaced from said cam follower means and a pivot connection spaced from said cam follower means and said second input receiving means, said cam follower means being urged by said bias means and positioned to predeterminately engage and follow said first cam surface; and a second summing link, said second summing link including a connection tO said first summing link pivot connection, output means for producing spoiler controlling outputs for a first side of the aircraft spaced from said connection and third input receiving means spaced from said connection and said output means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A mixer for producing outputs for controlling a spoiler on an aircraft from lateral control, second and third inputs where it is desired that spoilers on opposite wings of the aircraft normally move in the same direction in response to second or third inputs, the mixer including: a base structure; a cam having a first cam surface of predetermined shape thereon, said cam being pivotally mounted to said base structure wherein changes in said lateral input cause said cam to pivot to changed positions; a first summing link, said first summing link including bias means to urge said first summing link in a predetermined direction, cam follower means, second input receiving means spaced from said cam follower means and a pivot connection spaced from said cam follower means and said second input receiving means, said cam follower means being urged by said bias means and positioned to predeterminately engage and follow said first cam surface; and a second summing link, said second summing link including a connection tO said first summing link pivot connection, output means for producing spoiler controlling outputs for a first side of the aircraft spaced from said connection and third input receiving means spaced from said connection and said output means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The mixer defined in claim 1 further including: a second cam fixed to said base structure, said second cam having a first stationary cam surface with a shape which is similar to the shape of a portion of said first cam surface of said pivotal cam wherein said cam follower means are positioned to engage and follow said first stationary cam surface at predetermined combinations of inputs, said engagement causing disengagement of said follower means from said first cam surface of said pivotal cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The mixer defined in claim 1 including: override means, said override means being connected to said output means of said second summing link and to a lateral control input, said override means causing reduced spoiler extension outputs in response to changes of lateral control inputs to increase aircraft roll rate during predetermined conditions of the third input.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mixer defined in claim 1 wherein said first pivotal cam surface includes a hook portion for restricting said cam follower means from further travel along said first pivotal cam surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The mixer defined in claim 4 wherein said second input is resiliently connected to said mixer, said hook portion when restricting said cam follower means for further travel along said first pivotal cam surface, causes further roll rate increasing lateral control input to drive said second input to a lower spoiler extending level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The mixer defined in claim 1 wherein said second input receiving means include a point on said first summing link and means for restraining said point to be movable only on an arc of predetermined radius from the point around which said pivotal cam can be pivoted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
166 words
The mixer defined in claim 1 wherein said pivotal cam includes a second cam surface opposite and mirror-imaged in shape to said first cam surface, said mixer including: an additional first summing link, said additional first summing link inlcuding bias means to urge said additional first summing link in a predetermined direction, cam follower means, second input receiving means spaced from said cam follower means and a pivot connection spaced from said cam follower means and said second input receiving means, said cam follower means being urged by said bias means and positioned to predeterminately engage and follow said second pivotal cam surface; and an additional second summing link, said additional second summing link including a connection to said additional first summing link pivot connection, output means spaced from said connection, said additional second summing link output means producing spoiler controlling outputs for the side of the aircraft opposite from the first side, and third input receiving means spaced from said connection and said output means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The mixer defined in claim 7 including third input transmitting means connected to pass a third input command to said third input receiving means of said second summing link and to said third input receiving means of said additional second summing link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The mixer defined in claim 7 including second input transmitting means connected to pass equally a second input command to said second input receiving means of said first summing link and to said second input receiving means of said additional first summing link.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
The mixer defined in claim 9 wherein said first and second pivotal cam surfaces each include a hook portion for restricting associated cam follower means from further travel along said pivotal cam surface, said second input transmitting means being resiliently connected to said two second input receiving means so that after one of said hook portions is restricting cam follower means, further roll rate increasing lateral control input drives said second input transmitTing means to a lower spoiler extending level thereby lowering the spoiler extending output of the second summing link associated with the other hook.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3709056A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |