Abstract A control system for hydrofoil craft of the type which employs dual port control surfaces or flaps and dual starboard control surfaces for controlling motion of the craft about its roll axis. Apparatus is provided for sensing motion about the roll axis of the craft and for producing at least one signal proportional thereto. Three roll channels responsive to a roll signal are provided, one of which controls the starboard outboard control surface, one of which controls the port outboard control surface, and the third of which controls both the port and starboard inboard control flaps. Failure of any one channel will not seriously affect the operation of the craft since failure of both inboard flaps, responsive to one control channel, is equal to failure of either of the outboard flaps which are controlled by separate channels. Preferably, at least two roll gyros are employed, one of which controls a first outboard control surface, the other of which controls a second outboard control surface, and the combined (e.g., mixed) outputs of which control both inboard control surfaces. In the embodiment of the invention shown herein, each control channel also transmits to the control surfaces one or both outputs of dual helm synchros, the arrangement being such that the control surfaces are initially actuated to cause the craft to bank and turn followed by rudder actuation to coordinate the turn.
In a control system for a hydrofoil craft having inboard and outboard port control surfaces and inboard and outboard starboard control surfaces for controlling the craft about its roll axis, the combination of: means for sensing motion of the craft about its roll axis and for producing at least one electrical signal proportional thereto, at least three signal channels responsive to an electrical signal proportional to roll motion for controlling said port and starboard control surfaces, the output of one of said channels controlling only the outboard starboard control surface, the output of a second of said channels controlling only the outboard port control surface, and the output of the third of said channels controlling both of said inboard control surfaces only without controlling said outboard control surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a control system for a hydrofoil craft having inboard and outboard port control surfaces and inboard and outboard starboard control surfaces for controlling the craft about its roll axis, the combination of: means for sensing motion of the craft about its roll axis and for producing at least one electrical signal proportional thereto, at least three signal channels responsive to an electrical signal proportional to roll motion for controlling said port and starboard control surfaces, the output of one of said channels controlling only the outboard starboard control surface, the output of a second of said channels controlling only the outboard port control surface, and the output of the third of said channels controlling both of said inboard control surfaces only without controlling said outboard control surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein said means for sensing motion of the craft about its roll axis includes a plurality of roll gyros which produce a plurality of electrical signals proportional to motion of the craft about its roll axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control system of claim 2 wherein there are three roll gyros each of which feeds into an associated one of the three signal channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The control system of claim 2 wherein there are two roll gyros, means for applying the output of one roll gyro to the input of the first of said signal channels, means for applying the output of the other of said roll gyros to the second of said signal channels, and means for mixing the outputs of said roll gyros and for applying the mixed output to the input of said third signal channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The control system of claim 1 including helm synchro means for producing at least one electrical signal proportional to rotation of the helm from its central null position, and means for applying said electrical signal to at least one of said signal channels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control system of claim 5 wherein a helm signal is applied to each of said signal channels and compared with the output of said means for sensing motion.