Strain energy shuttle apparatus and method
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsDan J. Clingman, Robert T. Ruggeri, W. Dean Clingman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for providing torque to assist in moving a component of a mobile platform. Biasing forces may be applied to opposing portions of a torque transferring member that enable the torque transferring member to be maintained in a position of equilibrium. A torque may be applied to one of the component and the torque transferring member such that the biasing forces cooperatively exert a torque on the torque transferring member to assist in moving the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium. Motion of the torque transferring member out from the position of equilibrium may be used to assist in moving the component.
Claims20
A method for providing torque to assist in moving a component of a mobile platform, the method comprising:
- applying biasing forces to opposing portions of a torque transferring member to exert forces on said torque transferring member that enable said torque transferring member to be maintained in a position of equilibrium;
- applying a torque to one of said component and said torque transferring member such that said biasing forces cooperatively exert a torque on said torque transferring member to assist in moving said torque transferring member out from said position of equilibrium;
- and
- using said motion of said torque transferring member out from said position of equilibrium to assist in moving said component.
A method for providing a torque to a component of an airborne mobile platform to assist in moving said component, the method comprising:
- coupling a torque transferring member to said component;
- disposing a biasing member under one of compression and tension relative to said torque transferring member to exert a force that acts on said torque transferring member when said torque transferring member is moved from a first position of equilibrium, wherein said component experiences no rotation causing force from said torque transferring member, to a second position wherein said torque transferring member exerts a torque on said component;
- and
- using an actuator to initiate movement of one of said torque transferring member and said component to urge said torque transferring component into said second position, wherein said force from said biasing member assists in urging said torque transferring member to move rotationally to said second position.
A method for moving a flight control structure on an airborne mobile platform between first and second positions in a manner that overcomes an inherent structural stiffness of the structure, comprising:
- coupling at least one end of a force transferring member fixedly to said structure;
- loading a biasing element, while said structure is being held in said first position, with a force sufficient to substantially hold said structure in said first position;
- using energy stored in said biasing element to move said torque transferring member, so as to assist in moving said structure from said first position to said second position, when movement of said structure is initiated by an external component, to thus substantially transfer said stored energy of said biasing element to said structure through said torque transferring member;
- and
- using said biasing element to again store said energy when said structure is moved from said second position back to said first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.