US4845357A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of actuation and flight control
Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products Inc
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Filing: 1988-02-11
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Granted: 1989-07-04
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Expires: 2008-02-11
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian W. Brennan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:09
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C27/00; B64C27/001; B64C3/00; B64C3/38; B64C3/44; B64C3/48; H; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/80; H10N30/802; B64C2220/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of actuating a portion of a structure, comprising: providing an actuation system, said actuation system comprising a piezoelectric actuator member and an optical fiber, and actuating said actuator member in response to movement of said optical fiber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of actuating a portion of a structure, comprising: providing an actuation system, said actuation system comprising a piezoelectric actuator member and an optical fiber, and actuating said actuator member in response to movement of said optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said movement comprises deformation of said waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a piezoelectric member and further comprising providing a structural member, and embedding at least one of said waveguide and said actuator in said structural member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a piezoelectric member and further comprising providing a structural member, and attaching at least one of said waveguide and said piezoelectric member to said structural member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said structural member comprises fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said structural member comprises filament.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said structural member further comprises resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said fiber comprises carbon, graphite, metal or glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said structure is an airfoil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said structural member is an airfoil.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said waveguide comprises an optical fiber.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of moving an aircraft airfoil during flight comprising: providing an aircraft in flight, a light source, an optical fiber, a light detection means, a piezoelectric means, and a signal processing emans, said aircraft comprising an airfoil said piezoelectric means and said optical fiber being connected to said airfoil, emitting light from said light source into said optical fiber, and detecting at least a portion of said light in said detector means, conveying a signal from said light detection means to said signal processing means, and actuating said piezoelectric means in response to a signal from said signal processing means whereby said airfoil is moved sufficiently by said piezoelectric means to control the direction of flight of said aircraft.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of moving an aircraft airfoil during flight comprising: providing an aircraft in flight, a light source, an optical fiber, a light detection means, a piezoelectric means, and a signal processing emans, said aircraft comprising an airfoil said piezoelectric means and said optical fiber being connected to said airfoil, emitting light from said light source into said optical fiber, and detecting at least a portion of said light in said detector means, conveying a signal from said light detection means to said signal processing means, and actuating said piezoelectric means in response to a signal from said signal processing means whereby said airfoil is moved sufficiently by said piezoelectric means to control the direction of flight of said aircraft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said airfoil is a missile fin means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said airfoil is an aircraft wing means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of monitoring and control of physical movement occurring at any point between spaced points on a structure including the steps of: (a) embedding at least one piezoelectric means in said structure, (b) embedding at least one optical fiber continuously in said structure said optical fiber extending from at least one of the spaced points to the other and thereby engage all points along the structure between said spaced points so that physical movement of the structure between said spaced points will result in physical movement of the optical fiber, said piezoelectric means not being in contact with said optical fiber; (c) passing a light signal into said optical fiber; (d) detecting reflection changes in said light signal resulting from said physical movement to thereby provide an indication that a physical movement has taken place and an indication of the location and magnitude of said movement, and (e) activating said piezoelectric means to control said physical movement.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of monitoring and control of physical movement occurring at any point between spaced points on a structure including the steps of: (a) embedding at least one piezoelectric means in said structure, (b) embedding at least one optical fiber continuously in said structure said optical fiber extending from at least one of the spaced points to the other and thereby engage all points along the structure between said spaced points so that physical movement of the structure between said spaced points will result in physical movement of the optical fiber, said piezoelectric means not being in contact with said optical fiber; (c) passing a light signal into said optical fiber; (d) detecting reflection changes in said light signal resulting from said physical movement to thereby provide an indication that a physical movement has taken place and an indication of the location and magnitude of said movement, and (e) activating said piezoelectric means to control said physical movement.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said movement comprises deformation of said optical fiber and wherein said structure is an aircraft in flight and said activation of said piezoelectric means is sufficient to substantially effect the direction of said flight.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 15, including the steps of detecting and storing characteristics of said light signal passing through said optical fiber when said optical fiber is positioned to follow a precise, predetermined path prior to attaching the optical fiber to said structure; and comparing the stored characteristics with detected changes in the light signal after the optical fiber has been attached to said structure in an identical path configuration, to thereby provide a measure of any subsequent deviations of the structure from said predetermined path.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of monitoring and control of physical movement occurring at any point between spaced points on an aircraft structue in flight including the steps of; (a) attaching a least one piezoelectric means and at least one optical fiber continuously to said structure to extend from at least one of the spaced points to the other and thereby engage all points along the structure between said spaced points so that physical movement of the structure between said spaced points will result in physical movement of the optical fiber; (b) passing a light signal into said optical fiber; (c) detecting reflection changes in said light signal resulting from said physical movement to thereby provide an indication that a physical movement has taken place and an indication of the location and magnitude of said movement, and (d) activating said piezoelectric means to control said physical movement.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of monitoring and control of physical movement occurring at any point between spaced points on an aircraft structue in flight including the steps of; (a) attaching a least one piezoelectric means and at least one optical fiber continuously to said structure to extend from at least one of the spaced points to the other and thereby engage all points along the structure between said spaced points so that physical movement of the structure between said spaced points will result in physical movement of the optical fiber; (b) passing a light signal into said optical fiber; (c) detecting reflection changes in said light signal resulting from said physical movement to thereby provide an indication that a physical movement has taken place and an indication of the location and magnitude of said movement, and (d) activating said piezoelectric means to control said physical movement.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said movement comprises deformation of said optical fiber.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said structure is an aircraft.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said activating of said piezoelectric means is effective to significantly change the direction of flight of said aircraft.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of operating an actuator, comprising: providing an actuation system, said actuation system comprising an actuator member and an optical fiber, actuating said actuator member in response to movement of said optical fiber, said actuation system being connected to a structure whereby said actuating of said actuator member causes movement of said structure, and detecting said movement by monitoring changes in a property of light being propagated through said optical fiber.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of operating an actuator, comprising: providing an actuation system, said actuation system comprising an actuator member and an optical fiber, actuating said actuator member in response to movement of said optical fiber, said actuation system being connected to a structure whereby said actuating of said actuator member causes movement of said structure, and detecting said movement by monitoring changes in a property of light being propagated through said optical fiber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 22 further comprising controlling said movement of said structure by regulating said actuation of said actuator member in response to changes in a property of said light propagating through said optical fiber.
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) | 1992-07-03 | 1993-01-02 | 1993-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-03 | 1997-01-02 | 1997-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-03 | 2001-01-02 | 2001-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |