Wing sweep control system

Claim 2

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signals representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer, said digital computer selecting a predetermined wing sweep angle within a given range of wing sweep angles in accordance with aircraft speed and altitude; control means responsive to output signals from said computer; actuator means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to output signals from said control means; and coupling means for synchronizing the movement of the wings.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 including: means for providing feedback from said actuator means to said control means.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1 including: means for providing feedback from said actuator means to said digital computer.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1 wherein: said control means includes servo drive control means coupled to a control linkage.

Claim 6

The system of claim 4 including: movable stop means for establishing the upper limit of the movement of said control linkage of said control means at about 68°.

Claim 7

The system of claim 1 wherein: said actuator means includes a pair of screwjacks and a pair of hydraulic motors mechanically coupled to said screwjacks through gear means.

Claim 8

The system of claim 1 wherein: said detector means includes pitot static members.

Claim 9

The system of claim 1 in which the aircraft includes maneuvers flaps, including: second actuator means coupled to the maneuver flaps of the aircraft; said control means being coupled to said second actuator means; means for providing feedback to said control means from said second actuator means.

Claim 10

The system of claim 1 in which the aircraft includes auxiliary flaps, including: third actuator means coupled to the auxiliary flaps of the aircraft; said control means being coupled to said third actuator means.

Claim 11

The system of claim 1 including: logic circuitry for detecting malfunctions in said digital computer, said control means, and said actuator means.

Claim 12

The system of claim 1 including: means for bypassing said digital computer to manually activate said control means.

Claim 13

The system of claim 1 wherein: said digital computer provides automatic control of the position of the wings of the aircraft in response to output signals from a selector circuit.

Claim 14

The system of claim 12 including: means for manually controlling said digital computer to position the wings of the aircraft in response to commands from a pilot; said digital computer returning the wings to automatic control when the wing position manually set by the pilot coincides with the wing position automatically determined by said digital computer.

Claim 15

The system of claim 1 wherein said control means includes: a servo controller to receive output signals from said digital computer; servo drive control means coupled to said servo controller; and link means responsive to said servo drive control means.

Claim 16

The system of claim 14 wherein: said link means is coupled to said actuator means to receive feedback therefrom.

Claim 17

The system of claim 14 wherein: said actuator means includes servo valve means; said link means is mechanically coupled to said servo valve means.

Claim 18

The system of claim 14 including: means for normally providing an upper limit on the movement of said link means to establish a maximum aft wing position.

Claim 19

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; computer means for aiding in automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for manually determining the wing position; and means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means.

Claim 20

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; computer means for aiding in automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for manually determining the wing position; and means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means.

Claim 21

The system of claim 18 including: means for indicating malfunctions in said automatic positioning means.

Claim 22

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signals representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer; control means responsive to output signals from said digital computer; actuator means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to said control means, said control means being activated in response to signals from said digital computer to control said actuator means for providing a wing sweep angle of about 20° to about 68°, dependent upon aircraft speed and altitude.

Claim 23

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signals representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer; control means responsive to output signals from said digital computer; actuator means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to said control means, said control means being activated in response to signals from said digital computer to control said actuator means for providing a wing sweep angle of about 20° to about 68°, dependent upon aircraft speed and altitude.

Claim 24

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signals representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer; control means responsive to output signals from said digital computer to provide upper and lower wing sweep angle limits; actuator means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to said control means; means for aynchronizing the movement of the wings; and means for overriding the upper wing sweep angle limit established by said digital computer and said control means.

Claim 25

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signals representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer; control means responsive to output signals from said digital computer to provide upper and lower wing sweep angle limits; actuator means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to said control means; means for aynchronizing the movement of the wings; and means for overriding the upper wing sweep angle limit established by said digital computer and said control means.

Claim 26

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signals representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer; control means responsive to output signals from said digital computer, said computer providing an output signal to said control means for establishing a minimum sweep angle of about 55° during bombing; actuator means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to said control means; and means for synchronizing the movement of the wings.

Claim 27

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signals representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer; control means responsive to output signals from said digital computer, said computer providing an output signal to said control means for establishing a minimum sweep angle of about 55° during bombing; actuator means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to said control means; and means for synchronizing the movement of the wings.

Claim 28

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signal representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer; means for selecting one of a plurality of preprogrammed computer wing sweep angle position schedules dependent upon aircraft speed and altitude; control means responsive to output signals from said digital computer; actuator means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to said control means; and means for synchronizing the movement of the wings.

Claim 29

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signal representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer; means for selecting one of a plurality of preprogrammed computer wing sweep angle position schedules dependent upon aircraft speed and altitude; control means responsive to output signals from said digital computer; actuator means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to said control means; and means for synchronizing the movement of the wings.

Claim 30

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signals representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer; control means responsive to output signals from said digital computer, said control means including a servo controller to receive output signals from said computer, servo drive control means coupled to said servo controller, and link means responsive to said servo drive control means; emergency actuating means coupled to said link means for arresting control of said link means from said servo drive control means upon the application of sufficient force on said link means from said emergency actuating means; actuating means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to said control means; and means for synchronizing the movement of the wings.

Claim 31

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: a digital computer; detector means for providing input signals representative of aircraft speed and altitude to said digital computer; control means responsive to output signals from said digital computer, said control means including a servo controller to receive output signals from said computer, servo drive control means coupled to said servo controller, and link means responsive to said servo drive control means; emergency actuating means coupled to said link means for arresting control of said link means from said servo drive control means upon the application of sufficient force on said link means from said emergency actuating means; actuating means mechanically coupled to the wings of the aircraft for positioning the wings in response to said control means; and means for synchronizing the movement of the wings.

Claim 32

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft to provide a wing sweep range of about 20° to about 68°; means for manually determining the wing position; and means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means.

Claim 33

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft to provide a wing sweep range of about 20° to about 68°; means for manually determining the wing position; and means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means.

Claim 34

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for manually determining the wing position; means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positiong means; and oversweep means for overriding the most aft wing position provided by said automatic positioning means.

Claim 35

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for manually determining the wing position; means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positiong means; and oversweep means for overriding the most aft wing position provided by said automatic positioning means.

Claim 36

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft to maintain a minimum wing position of about 55° during bombing; means for manually determining the wing position; and means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means.

Claim 37

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft to maintain a minimum wing position of about 55° during bombing; means for manually determining the wing position; and means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means.

Claim 38

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft, said automatic positioning means including a plurality of predetermined wing positions dependent upon aircraft speed and altitude; means for manually determining the wing position; and means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means.

Claim 39

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft, said automatic positioning means including a plurality of predetermined wing positions dependent upon aircraft speed and altitude; means for manually determining the wing position; and means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means.

Claim 40

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, in which the wings have maneuver flaps, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for manually determining the wing position; means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means; means for activating the maneuver flaps; and means electrically coupled to said automatic positioning means for aignaling said automatic positioning means to limit the aft position of the wings to about 50° when the maneuver flaps are extended.

Claim 41

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft, in which the wings have maneuver flaps, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for manually determining the wing position; means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means; means for activating the maneuver flaps; and means electrically coupled to said automatic positioning means for aignaling said automatic positioning means to limit the aft position of the wings to about 50° when the maneuver flaps are extended.

Claim 42

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft in which the wings have auxiliary flaps, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for manually determining the wing position; means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means; means for activating the auxiliary flaps; means electrically coupled to said automatic positioning means for signaling said automatic positioning means to limit the forward position of the wings to about 20° when the auxiliary flaps are extended.

Claim 43

A wing sweep control system for controlling the position of the wings of an aircraft in which the wings have auxiliary flaps, comprising: means for determining the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for automatically positioning the wings in response to the speed and altitude of the aircraft; means for manually determining the wing position; means for returning control of the wing position from said manual means to said automatic positioning means when there is a correspondence in the wing position determined by said manual control means and said automatic positioning means; means for activating the auxiliary flaps; means electrically coupled to said automatic positioning means for signaling said automatic positioning means to limit the forward position of the wings to about 20° when the auxiliary flaps are extended.