Patent US4032094A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4032094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control of positioning system authority over aircraft control surfaces as a function of surface movement rate
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1976-05-19
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1996-05-19
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for controlling aircraft flight control surfaces. A signal indicative of control surface movement rate is provided and tested for level and duration. When said rate indicative signal exceeds a predetermined level for a predetermined time, authority of positioning apparatus over the aircraft control surface is reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles P. Morgan
- 👤 Jean L. Lamy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:51
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/0055; G05D1/0077
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for controlling the movement of an aircraft flight control surface comprising: first means for positioning said control surface in accordance with an input command signal, and providing a signal S a whose amplitude is indicative of the instantaneous rate of control surface movement, second means comprising level and duration detecting means for providing a signal S b which indicates when S a has continuously exceeded a predetermined amplitude A 1 for at least a predetermined time Δ 1 , and third means responsive to S b for reducing the authority of said first means over said aircraft control surface when S a has continuously exceeded said predetermined amplitude A 1 for at least said predetermined time Δ 1 .
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A system for controlling the movement of an aircraft flight control surface comprising: first means for positioning said control surface in accordance with an input command signal, and providing a signal S a whose amplitude is indicative of the instantaneous rate of control surface movement, second means comprising level and duration detecting means for providing a signal S b which indicates when S a has continuously exceeded a predetermined amplitude A 1 for at least a predetermined time Δ 1 , and third means responsive to S b for reducing the authority of said first means over said aircraft control surface when S a has continuously exceeded said predetermined amplitude A 1 for at least said predetermined time Δ 1 .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein Δ 1 is less than three seconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a position servo system including an electromechanical actuator and a feedback path from which S a may be obtained.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as defined in claim 3 wherein said third means comprises means for eliminating at least temporarily the authority of said first means over said aircraft control surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
A system as defined in claim 1 and further including: fourth means connected for receiving a signal S c whose amplitude is indicative of one of the instantaneous aircraft roll rate or the instantaneous aircraft pitch rate, said fourth means comprising level and duration detecting means for providing a signal S d which indicates when S c has continuously exceeded a predetermined amplitude A 2 for at least a predetermined time Δ 2 , said third means also being responsive to S d and reducing the authority of said first means over said aircraft control surface when S c has continuously exceeded said predetermined amplitude A 2 for at least said predetermined time Δ 2 .
Claim 7
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for controlling the movement of an aircraft flight control surface comprising: providing means for positioning said control surface in accordance with an input command signal, providing a signal S a whose amplitude is indicative of the instantaneous rate of control surface movement, providing a signal S b which indicates when S a has continuously exceeded a predetermined amplitude A 1 for at least a predetermined time Δ 1 , and reducing the authority of said positioning means over said aircraft control surface when S a has continuously exceeded said predetermined amplitude A 1 for at least said predetermined time Δ 1 .
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for controlling the movement of an aircraft flight control surface comprising: providing means for positioning said control surface in accordance with an input command signal, providing a signal S a whose amplitude is indicative of the instantaneous rate of control surface movement, providing a signal S b which indicates when S a has continuously exceeded a predetermined amplitude A 1 for at least a predetermined time Δ 1 , and reducing the authority of said positioning means over said aircraft control surface when S a has continuously exceeded said predetermined amplitude A 1 for at least said predetermined time Δ 1 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 6 wherein said reduction of authority comprises eliminating at least temporarily the authority of said positioning means over said aircraft control surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method as defined in claim 6 and further comprising: receiving a signal S c whose amplitude is indicative of one of the instantaneous aircraft roll rate or the instantaneous aircraft pitch rate, providing a signal S d which indicates when S c has continuously exceeded a predetermined amplitude A 2 for at least a predetermined time Δ 2 , and reducing the authority of said positioning means over said aircraft control surface when S c has continuously exceeded said predetermined amplitude A 2 for at least said predetermined time Δ 2 .
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) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |