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US 4,370,706 AGranted
Controller for a dual servo system
AssigneeThe Bendix Corporation
InventorsJerry Doniger, Albert T. Kirchhein, Gibson Reynolds
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AssigneeThe Bendix Corporation
InventorsJerry Doniger, Albert T. Kirchhein, Gibson Reynolds
Estimating the term…
A controller (FIGS. 1, 2) is provided in a dual servo system that drives a controlled element (22) with mechanically coupled first and second servos (24 and 44). This controller has a first (10, 110, 112) and second (14, 108, 114) digital process subsystem. The first digital processing subsystem can simultaneously drive the first and second servos. This first processing subsystem is operable to measure the responsiveness of the servos to the first processing subsystem and provide a self-checking indication. The second digital processing subsystem measures the responsiveness of these servos to the first digital processing subsystem and can provide an independent indication of failure. The foregoing can be extended to multiple channels for controlling independent multiple elements such as aircraft control surfaces. Preferably, two different types of computers (10, 14; 108, 110, 112, 114) with different programs can be employed to control three control channels. Since the system can provide self-checking and independent checking of its operation, the likelihood of "multi-axis hardover" is reduced.
In a dual servo system for driving a controlled element with mechanically coupled first and second servos in response to a pair of control signals separately applied thereto, said servos cooperating with a sensing means for providing a signal signifying on operating parameter associated with at least one of said servos, a controller comprising:
In a dual channel system having a first and second pair of cooperating servos for driving first and second independent controlled elements, respectively, said servos being operable in response to control signals applied thereto, at least one of said servos cooperating with a sensing means, said sensing means being operable to provide a signal signifying an operating parameter associated with said at least one of said servos, a controller, including apparatus for avoiding undetected multiple channel failures comprising:
A method for controlling mechanically coupled dual servos, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.