초록 ▼

A system for providing automatic trim control associated with a control surface in an aircraft that utilizes at least two sensors that must agree in direction before trim adjustment is made. Each sensor is provided with a separate an independent controller channel to further enhance fail-safe operat

A system for providing automatic trim control associated with a control surface in an aircraft that utilizes at least two sensors that must agree in direction before trim adjustment is made. Each sensor is provided with a separate an independent controller channel to further enhance fail-safe operation. A trim sensor is placed in the coupling link between a servo and aircraft primary control linkage leading to the associated control surface. A trim sensor is provided that utilizes a spring with a portion disposed laterally with respect to the direction of the force to be measured. An arm is attached to the lateral portion of the spring to effect motion that can be sensed by various sensors including optical, mechanical switch and magnetic sensors.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A system for adjusting a trim device associated with a control surface in an aircraft, said aircraft having a primary control system; said system for adjusting the trim device comprising: a control servo mechanically coupled to said primary control system through a coupling l

What is claimed is: 1. A system for adjusting a trim device associated with a control surface in an aircraft, said aircraft having a primary control system; said system for adjusting the trim device comprising: a control servo mechanically coupled to said primary control system through a coupling link; said coupling link comprising a push pull rod disposed between said control servo and said primary control, through said push pull rod said control servo is operatively coupled to said primary control system; a first trim sensor within said coupling link, said first trim sensor producing a first trim signal responsive to a control force transmitted through said coupling link; a trim servo responsive to said first trim signal for adjusting said trim device in accordance with said first trim signal. 2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first trim sensor comprises: a flexible portion having a flexing response to said control force; a flexing response sensor producing said first trim signal responsive to said flexing response of said flexible portion; wherein the flexing of said flexible portion acts on a member mechanically connected to said flexible portion to produce a rotational motion in said member in response to said control force, and said flexing response sensor coupled to said member. 3. A system as in claim 2, wherein the flexing response sensor includes two optical sensors spaced apart to generate a response dead zone. 4. A system as in claim 2, wherein the flexing response sensor includes a switch. 5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first trim sensor includes a switch. 6. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first trim signal includes a response portion that is proportional to said control force. 7. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first trim signal includes a response portion having hysteresis. 8. A system as in claim 1, wherein said first trim signal includes a response portion having a dead zone. 9. A system as in claim 1, wherein said link is coupled to a primary control cable. 10. A system as in claim 9, wherein said link is coupled through a cable attaching device comprising a bar. 11. A system as in claim 1, further including a second trim sensor, said second trim sensor producing a second trim signal; said trim servo being responsive to said second trim signal; wherein said first trim sensor and said second trim sensor are separate and independent. 12. A system as in claim 11, wherein said trim servo adjusts said trim device only when said first trim sensor and said second trim sensor agree in direction. 13. A system as in claim 11, wherein said second trim sensor is included in said coupling device. 14. A system as in claim 11, wherein said second trim sensor is included in said control servo. 15. A system as in claim 14, wherein said second trim sensor is an electronic sensor. 16. A system as in claim 11, wherein said second trim sensor is an electromechanical sensor. 17. A system as in claim 11, wherein one of said first trim sensor or said second trim sensor provides direction information. 18. A system as in claim 17, wherein one of said first trim sensor or said second trim sensor includes a switch. 19. A system as in claim 1, including a first trim controller; said first trim controller responsive to said first trim sensor, and said trim servo responsive to said first trim controller. 20. A system as in claim 19, wherein said first trim controller provides a pulsed output to drive said trim servo; said pulsed output having a variable duty cycle that yields an average output drive proportional to said first trim signal. 21. A system as in claim 19, wherein said first trim controller is responsive only to the polarity of said first trim signal. 22. A system as in claim 19, wherein said first trim controller includes a hysteresis response to said first trim signal. 23. A system as in claim 19, wherein said first trim controller includes a dead zone response to said first trim signal. 24. A system as in claim 19, wherein said first trim controller provides an output proportional to said first trim signal. 25. A system as in claim 24, wherein said first trim controller output is a pulsed output having a variable duty cycle wherein the variable duty cycle is proportional to said first trim signal. 26. A system as in claim 19, further including a signal from an autopilot wherein said first trim controller adjusts the trim device only when said autopilot signal is present. 27. A system for adjusting a trim device associated with a control surface in an aircraft, said aircraft having a primary control system; said system for adjusting the trim device comprising: a control servo coupled to said primary control system through a coupling device, said coupling device comprising a link; a first trim sensor within said coupling device, said first trim sensor producing a first trim signal responsive to a control force transmitted through said coupling device; a flexible portion having a flexing response to said control force; a flexing response sensor producing said first trim signal responsive to said flexing response of said flexible portion; a portion disposed transverse to the force transmitted through said coupling device, said transverse portion coupled to said flexible portion and responsive to said flexing response, and said flexing response sensor coupled to said transverse portion; a trim servo responsive to said first trim signal for adjusting said trim device in accordance with said first trim signal. 28. A system for adjusting a trim device associated with a control surface in an aircraft, said aircraft having a primary control system; said system for adjusting the trim device comprising: a control servo coupled to said primary control system through a coupling device; a first trim sensor within said coupling device, said first trim sensor producing a first trim signal responsive to a control force transmitted through said coupling device; said first trim sensor further comprising: a flexible portion having a flexing response to said control force; a flexing response sensor producing said first trim signal responsive to said flexing response of said flexible portion; said flexing response sensor comprising at least one optical sensor; a trim servo responsive to said first trim signal for adjusting said trim device in accordance with said first trim signal. 29. A system for adjusting a trim device associated with a control surface in an aircraft, said aircraft having a primary control system; said system for adjusting the trim device comprising: a control servo coupled to said primary control system through a coupling device; a first trim sensor within said coupling device, said first trim sensor producing a first trim signal responsive to a control force transmitted through said coupling device; a second trim sensor included in said control servo, said second trim sensor producing a second trim signal; a trim servo being responsive to said second trim signal; wherein said first trim sensor and said second trim sensor are separate and independent; said trim servo responsive to said first trim signal for adjusting said trim device in accordance with said first trim signal.