US4040580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control apparatus for an air brake
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1975-09-12
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Granted: 1977-08-09
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Expires: 1995-09-12
Abstract
Abstract The present apparatus controls the position of the brake flap or air brake of an aircraft. The air brake is operated by a power amplifier including a pressure cylinder and a piston. The piston is mechanically coupled to the brake flap or air brake in such a manner that the displacement of the brake flap is about proportional to the brake flap angle. The pressure in the cylinder is controlled in response to or as a function of the brake flap angle so that the flap is positioned at the angle required for the particular braking action, whereby the force caused by the dynamic or impact pressure is maintained in equilibrium with the force exerted by the pressure piston cylinder arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans-Juergen Schwaerzler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:50
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C13/00; B64C13/24; B64C13/38; B64C13/40; B64C9/00; B64C9/32; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A control apparatus for an air brake flap comprising pressure responsive power drive means (4,7) including a power drive cylinder piston arrangement, means (5) operatively connecting said air brake flap to said power drive means for moving said air brake flap through a range of angular positions, pressure control means (13) operatively associated with said power drive means (4), and air brake flap position response means directly and operatively interconnected between said pressure control means (13) and said air brake flap whereby said pressure control means (13) is continuously and directly responsive to the angular positions α of said air brake flap (1) to control the pressure in said power drive cylinder as a direct function of said angular positions of the air brake flap in such a manner that the flap at all times assumes the postion determined by the required braking action, whereby the dynamic pressure exerted by the air flow on the air brake flap is continuously in equilibrium with the pressure in said power drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A control apparatus for an air brake flap comprising pressure responsive power drive means (4,7) including a power drive cylinder piston arrangement, means (5) operatively connecting said air brake flap to said power drive means for moving said air brake flap through a range of angular positions, pressure control means (13) operatively associated with said power drive means (4), and air brake flap position response means directly and operatively interconnected between said pressure control means (13) and said air brake flap whereby said pressure control means (13) is continuously and directly responsive to the angular positions α of said air brake flap (1) to control the pressure in said power drive cylinder as a direct function of said angular positions of the air brake flap in such a manner that the flap at all times assumes the postion determined by the required braking action, whereby the dynamic pressure exerted by the air flow on the air brake flap is continuously in equilibrium with the pressure in said power drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
95 words
The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pressure responsive power drive means comprise inlet conduit means connected to said cylinder piston arrangement, and return conduit means connected to said cylinder piston arrangement, said pressure control means comprising flow resistance means arranged in said inlet conduit means, by-pass conduit means interconnecting said inlet conduit means and return conduit means downstream of said flow resistance means, and valve means operatively arranged in said by-pass conduit means, said air brake postion responsive means including actuating means operatively interconnecting said air brake flap and said valve means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pressure responsive power drive means comprise inlet conduit means connected to said cylinder piston arrangement, and return conduit means connected to said cylinder pistion arrangement, said pressure control means comprising flow resistance means arranged in said inlet conduit means, said cylinder piston arrangement comprising means having a flow passage with a sectional area which is variable along the length of the cylinder piston arrangement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The control apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said cylinder piston arrangement comprises a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a bore through the piston, a stationary rod held in position inside said cylinder and extending through said bore in the piston, said stationary rod having a longitudinal groove therein, said groove having a sectional area which varies continuously over the length of the rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
The control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said stationary rod is secured inside said cylinder at one end thereof whereby the rod has a secured end and a free end, said groove having a sectional area which increases from said secured end toward said free end, said connecting means and said air brake flap position responsive means locating said piston along said rod in response to the angular positon of said air brake flap whereby the flow of pressure medium through said piston corresponds to the required brake power.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
The control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said connecting means and said air brake flap position responsive means for locating said pistion comprise a hollow piston rod pivoted at one end thereof to said air brake flap and secured at its other end to said piston, said stationary rod extending through said piston and into said hollow piston rod, said hollow piston rod having openings therein to permit flow of pressure medium through said groove to said return conduit means, said flow of pressure medium depending on the particular position of the piston along the length of said stationary rod and thus on the angular position of said air brake flap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pressure responsive power drive means comprise inlet conduit means connected to said cylinder piston arrangement and return flow conduit means connected to said cylinder piston arrangement, said pressure control means comprising pressure regulating means arranged in said return flow conduit means, said connecting means and said air brake flap position responsive means comprising coupling means operatively interconnecting said pressure regulating means and said air brake flap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said pressure regulating means comprise electromechanical means for regulating the pressure in said return flow conduit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
The control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said pressure regulating means comprise valve means, conduit means operatively connecting said valve means to said inlet conduit means and to said return flow conduit means, valve biasing means arranged for cooperation with said valve means, said coupling means being operatively arranged to vary the biasing force of said valve biasing means in response to the angular position of said air brake flap whereby the biasing of said valve is reduced as the opening angle of said air brake flap increases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said coupling means for varying the biasing force comprise cam follower tappet means, cam means arranged for cooperation with said cam follower tappet means, and shaft means rigidly connecting said cam means to said brake flap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said air brake flap comprises pivot means, said shaft means being connected to said pivot means of said air brake flap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |