US 2019/0315450 A1Published application

Base Flight Control Member Orientation Mechanism And Control

AssigneeThe Boeing Company

InventorsMichael Thomas Fox, Eric Anton Howell, Jeffrey M. Roach

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Abstract

Methods and devices for adjusting a position of a flight control member relative to a base of an aircraft. The devices and methods include a joint that movably connects the flight control surface to the base. An extension member is connected to the flight control surface and extends through the joint. Adjustable linear members of the base are connected to the extension member and configured to adjust the position of the extension member. This adjustment results in re-orienting the flight control member relative to the base to adjust the flight of the aircraft.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An assembly positioned on an aircraft to position a flight control member relative to a base to steer the aircraft, the assembly comprising:

an extension member configured to be attached to the flight control member, the extension member comprising an elongated shape with first and second ends and having a longitudinal axis;
linear members that extend between and connect the second end of the extension member to the base, the linear members configured to change an angular orientation of the flight control member relative to the base by moving the second end of the extension member relative to the base;
and
a joint comprising an inner race mounted to the extension member, an outer race mounted to the base, and bearings between the inner and outer races, the joint configured to provide a spherical motion of the flight control member relative to the base achieving two orthogonal, rotational degrees of freedom and preventing rotation of the flight control member relative to the base about the longitudinal axis of the extension member.

1 more element

An aircraft comprising:

a flight control member;
a base;
an extension member affixed to the flight control member, the extension member comprising an elongated shape with first and second ends and having a longitudinal axis;
linear members that movably mount the second end of the extension member to the base, the linear members configured to change an angular orientation of the flight control member relative to the base by moving the second end of the extension member relative to the base;
a joint comprising an inner race mounted to the extension member, an outer race mounted to the base, and bearings, the joint configured to provide a spherical motion of the flight control member relative to the base achieving two orthogonal, rotational degrees of freedom and preventing rotation of the flight control member relative to the base about the longitudinal axis of the extension member;
sensors positioned at the joint to sense positions of the inner race relative to the outer race;
and
a control circuit configured to receive signals from the sensors and to control a relative position between the flight control member and the base.

5 more elements

A method of changing a relative orientation of a flight control member of an aircraft that is movably connected by a joint to a base of the aircraft, the flight control member being operatively connected to an inner race of the joint and the base being operatively connected to an outer race of the joint, the flight control member comprising an extension member and extending through the inner race and into the base, the base comprising linear members connected to the extension member, the method comprising:

displacing a second end of the extension member relative to the base thereby changing an angular orientation of the flight control member relative to the base in two degrees of freedom while preventing rotation of the flight control member relative to the base about an axis of the extension member, and changing an orientation of the inner race relative to the outer race;
and
sensing the relative orientation between the inner race and the outer race.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.