US3877346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-hydraulic actuation system with redundancy operation, supervision and emergency operation
Assignee: Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke Fokker GmbH
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Filing: 1974-03-25
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A control system for aircraft has a control member e.g. nozzle, air foil etc provided for being controlled by a redundant, i.e. multiple unit actuation system. Each unit is separately supervised through simulation, and in the case of drop out of all units, a standby unit of similar construction is operatively connected to the control member to provide actuation thereof. The stand-by unit runs along as far as electrical inputs is concerned and takes over when the redundant system as failed.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans-Jurgen Koopmann
- 👤 Eike Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:02
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B18/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
A control system with redundant actuator operation, comprising: a plurality of individual actuators, each including a hydraulic drive with servo valve control, electrical input for control of the valve, and a displaceable output device being displaced in response to actuator operation; means including a common output device connected to all of said output devices for providing a common actuator output as displacement of the common output device; means connected for providing control signals to the actuators of the plurality of individual actuators to obtain combined operation of them for displacing said common output device; an additional actuator not included in the plurality of individual actuators and having a hydraulic drive, electrical input for control of the hydraulic drive and a displaceable output device, the input being operatively connected to receive control signals from the means of providing, the additional actuator being normally operatively disconnected from the common output device; a plurality of means respectively for deriving from each actuator a signal representing the operation of the actuator in response to the control signal it receives; means connected to receive also the control signal and constructed for simulating operation of the actuators and providing output signals representative thereof; and supervising means connected to the means for simulating and to the plurality of means for deriving to provide a second control signal in representation of a complete drop out of all actuators of the plurality, for causing said additional actuator to be operatively connected to said output device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
246 words
A control system with redundant actuator operation, comprising: a plurality of individual actuators, each including a hydraulic drive with servo valve control, electrical input for control of the valve, and a displaceable output device being displaced in response to actuator operation; means including a common output device connected to all of said output devices for providing a common actuator output as displacement of the common output device; means connected for providing control signals to the actuators of the plurality of individual actuators to obtain combined operation of them for displacing said common output device; an additional actuator not included in the plurality of individual actuators and having a hydraulic drive, electrical input for control of the hydraulic drive and a displaceable output device, the input being operatively connected to receive control signals from the means of providing, the additional actuator being normally operatively disconnected from the common output device; a plurality of means respectively for deriving from each actuator a signal representing the operation of the actuator in response to the control signal it receives; means connected to receive also the control signal and constructed for simulating operation of the actuators and providing output signals representative thereof; and supervising means connected to the means for simulating and to the plurality of means for deriving to provide a second control signal in representation of a complete drop out of all actuators of the plurality, for causing said additional actuator to be operatively connected to said output device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein the supervising means includes a plurality of individual comparators respectively connected each to receive an output signal from the means for simulating and one of the signals as provided by one of the plurality of means for deriving, the supervising means further including circuit means connected to all of the comparators to respond to output signals from the comparators for the production of the second control signals, when all comparators provide output signals representative of drop out respectively of all the actuators of the plurality.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein the comparators individually signalling drop out of the respective actuator are connected to control means for de-activating the respective actuator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein the additional actuator receives control signals on a continuous basis, but being hydraulically de-activated as to hydraulic operation, the supervising means activating the additional actuator as to hydraulic operation thereof to obtain the operative connection to the output device in the case of drop out of all actuators of the plurality.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein the additional actuator receives control signals on a continuous basis and providing for operational displacement of its displaceable output, the displaceable output being normally decoupled from the output device, the supervising means coupling the displaceable output to the output device for obtaining the operative connection thereto in the case of drop out of all actuators of the plurality.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A control system as in claim 1, wherein a separate supply is provided as emergency source for hydraulic fluid, the additional actuator receiving hydraulic fluid from said source.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |