Self-rigging cable control system and process
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorRussell E. Baetke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is disclosed a cable control system which utilizes servo-regulation to maintain the desired cable tension. The system regulates cable tension, is self-rigging and is capable of sensing control cable failure to prevent runaway regulation.
Claims8
A control cable tension regulation system adapted to regulate tension in an opposed cable control system of an aircraft, said tension regulation system comprising load cell means for creating a predetermined tension load in a control cable system capable of transmitting a control signal thereover;
- first sensing means for monitoring said predetermined tension load;
- first signal means responsive to said first sensing means for producing one signal if the sensed load is greater than said predetermined load and a different signal if the sensed load is less than said predetermined load, power means responsive to said first signal means for restoring said predetermined tension load and an actuator connected to said power means;
- at least two, movably mounted control cable attachment means arranged in opposed pairs and connected to said actuator;
- second sensing means for monitoring each cable attachment means and second signal means responsive to each of said second sensing means for producing a signal that will prevent actuation of said power means if said attachment means moves beyond a predetermined position.
A process of automatically controlling system tension in the control cable system of an aircraft, said system comprising at least two control cables arranged in an opposed pair, said process comprising the steps of:
- establishing a desired cable system tension load value;
- sensing the actual system load value;
- generating a first signal if the actual system load value deviates above the desired system load value or a second signal if the actual system load value deviates below the desired system load value;
- operating a power means in one direction in response to said first signal or an opposite direction in response to said second signal to eliminate said deviation and restore said control cable system to said desired tension load value;
- establising a desired cable tension load value for each control cable of said cable system;
- establishing a permissible deviation from said desired cable tension load;
- sensing the actual tension load value in each cable;
- and
- preventing actuation of said power means if said actual cable tension load value exceeds said permissible deviation from said desired cable tension load value in either cable of an opposed pair.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.