US4019261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motion system for a flight simulator
Assignee: CAE Link Corp
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Filing: 1975-05-09
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Granted: 1977-04-26
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Expires: 1995-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A compact, cascaded three degrees of freedom (DOF) motion system for providing roll, pitch and heave movement to a cockpit of a flight simulator. The cockpit is nested within a rotatable roll frame which is gimbaled within a pitch frame. The pitch frame is pivotally connected at its rear to a vertically disposed and translatable heave frame. A pair of heavy, torsionally rigid, horizontally disposed, torque tubes in a four-bar parallelogram linkage arrangement serve to connect the heave frame to a fixed base frame and to ensure parallel movement of said heave frame. Servo actuators connected to each of the roll, pitch and heave frames permit simultaneous, independent three-axis motion. Balance actuators, frame locking mechanisms, as well as other safety features, ensure failsafe operation of the improved motion system.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward G. Pancoe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:56
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/12; G09B9/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for imparting motion to a cockpit of a grounded flight trainer, comprising: first frame means for supporting said cockpit for rotation about a longitudinal axis; a vertically translatable frame, at least a portion of said frame being disposed behind said first frame means; second means located between the rear of said first frame means and said frame portion for pivotally connecting the rear of said first frame means to said frame portion; linear actuator means connected between the first frame means and said portion of the vertically translatable frame for pivoting said first frame means about said second means; a fixed frame; and third means for connecting said vertically translatable frame to said fixed frame in a four-bar parallelogram linkage including at least one torque tube for laterally restraining said vertically translatable frame.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A system for imparting motion to a cockpit of a grounded flight trainer, comprising: first frame means for supporting said cockpit for rotation about a longitudinal axis; a vertically translatable frame, at least a portion of said frame being disposed behind said first frame means; second means located between the rear of said first frame means and said frame portion for pivotally connecting the rear of said first frame means to said frame portion; linear actuator means connected between the first frame means and said portion of the vertically translatable frame for pivoting said first frame means about said second means; a fixed frame; and third means for connecting said vertically translatable frame to said fixed frame in a four-bar parallelogram linkage including at least one torque tube for laterally restraining said vertically translatable frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said first frame means has an upper rear member; said frame portion has an upper cross member; and said second means pivotally connects said upper rear member to said upper cross member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the vertically translatable frame is totally disposed in a vertical plane behind the first frame means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 3, further comprising heave actuator means connected to the vertically translatable frame and disposed in said vertical plane alongside of the vertically translatable frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said first frame means further includes means for supporting said cockpit in a nested relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising actuator means for selectively rotating the cockpit about said longitudinal axis, and vertically translating said vertically translatable frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said third means includes a pair of torsionally rigid, torque tubes generally disposed in a vertical plane and having arms at their ends which connect said portion of the vertically translatable frame to the fixed frame in said four-bar parallelogram linkage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1, further including manually positionable struts pivotally attached to said fixed frame for supporting the first frame means during sustained shut-down.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1, further including a hydraulic control and distribution network located between said fixed frame and said vertically translatable frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising safety bolt means redundantly connecting said frame portion to the rear of said first frame means.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for imparting motion to a cockpit of a grounded flight trainer, comprising: first frame means for supporting said cockpit for rotation about a longitudinal axis; a vertically translatable frame, at least a portion of said frame being disposed behind said first frame means; second means located between the rear of said first frame means and said frame portion for pivotally connecting the rear of said first frame means to said frame portion; said first frame means comprising a pair of gimbaled frames, the inner frame of said pair supporting said cockpit and the outer frame being connected at its rear to the vertically translatable frame by said second means; a fixed frame; and third means for connecting said vertically translatable frame to said fixed frame in a four-bar parallelogram linkage including at least one torque tube for laterally restraining said vertically translatable frame.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for imparting motion to a cockpit of a grounded flight trainer, comprising: first frame means for supporting said cockpit for rotation about a longitudinal axis; a vertically translatable frame, at least a portion of said frame being disposed behind said first frame means; second means located between the rear of said first frame means and said frame portion for pivotally connecting the rear of said first frame means to said frame portion; said first frame means comprising a pair of gimbaled frames, the inner frame of said pair supporting said cockpit and the outer frame being connected at its rear to the vertically translatable frame by said second means; a fixed frame; and third means for connecting said vertically translatable frame to said fixed frame in a four-bar parallelogram linkage including at least one torque tube for laterally restraining said vertically translatable frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 11, further comprising: roll actuator means mounted between said pair of gimbaled frames for rotating said inner frame about the longitudinal axis; pitch actuator means mounted between said outer frame of said gimbaled pair and the vertically translatable frame for pivoting said outer frame about said second means; and heave actuator means for vertically moving said vertically translatable frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said roll, pitch and heave actuator means comprise independently operable, hydraulicly powered, linear actuators.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 13, wherein said roll actuator means comprises a single servo actuator; said pitch actuator means comprises a servo actuator and a pair of balance actuators; and said heave actuator means comprises a pair of slaved servo actuators.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 14 wherein each of said servo actuators is computer controlled.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 14, further comprising: an accumulator connected in a closed loop to said pair of balance actuators; and a solenoid valve located between said accumulator and said balance actuators for selectively blocking fluid flow therebetween.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 11, further comprising: actuator means mounted on the outer frame of said gimbaled pair for selectively driving a locking pin; and means defining an aperture in said inner frame of said gimbaled pair for receiving said locking pin, whereby said locking pin may be driven into said aperture to prevent relative movement of said gimbaled frames.
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) | 1980-04-25 | 1980-10-25 | 1981-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-25 | 1984-10-25 | 1985-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-25 | 1988-10-25 | 1989-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |