Augmenting flight control surface actuation system and method

Apparatus for providing actuation power to an aircraft flight control surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a first actuator;
• a second actuator including a bypass mode and an assist mode, the mode of the second actuator being at least partially based on an internal pressure differential across the first actuator;
• a mode select valve for selecting between the bypass mode and the assist mode for the second actuator;
• at least one delta pressure sense valve operatively associated with the mode select valve such that opening the delta pressure sense valve causes the mode select valve to select the other one of said modes for the second actuator, the at least one delta pressure sense valve opening when an internal differential pressure across the at least one delta pressure sense valve exceeds a maximum pressure value;
• the first actuator providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode;
• and
• the first and second actuators providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode.

Apparatus for providing actuation power to an aircraft flight control surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a first actuator;
• a second actuator including a bypass mode and an assist mode;
• means for controlling the selection of the bypass mode and the assist mode for the second actuator, the mode selection for the second actuator being at least partially based on an internal differential pressure across the first actuator;
• the first actuator providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode;
• and
• the first and second actuators providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode.

An aircraft comprising:

• a flight control surface;
• a first actuator;
• a second actuator including a bypass mode and an assist mode, the mode of the second actuator being at least partially based on an internal pressure differential across the first actuator;
• a mode select valve for selecting between the bypass mode and the assist mode for the second actuator;
• a solenoid valve operatively associated with the mode select valve such that energizing the solenoid valve causes the mode select valve to select the other one of said modes for the second actuator;
• the first actuator providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode;
• and
• the first and second actuators providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode.

An aircraft comprising:

• a flight control surface;
• a first actuator;
• a second actuator including a bypass mode and an assist mode, the mode of the second actuator being at least partially based on an internal pressure differential across the first actuator;
• a mode select valve for selecting between the bypass mode and the assist mode for the second actuator;
• at least one delta pressure sense valve operatively associated with the mode select valve such that opening the delta pressure sense valve causes the mode select valve to select the other one of said modes for the second actuator, the at least one delta pressure sense valve opening when an internal differential pressure across the at least one delta pressure sense valve exceeds a maximum pressure value;
• the first actuator providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode;
• and
• the first and second actuators providing the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode.

A method of providing actuation power to an aircraft flight control surface, the method comprising:

• using a mode select valve to select between a bypass mode and an assist mode for a second actuator;
• energizing a solenoid valve to cause the mode select valve to select the other one of said modes for the second actuator;
• using the first actuator to provide the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode;
• and
• using the first and second actuators to provide the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode.

A method of providing actuation power to an aircraft flight control surface, the method comprising:

• using a mode select valve to select between a bypass mode and an assist mode for a second actuator;
• opening a delta pressure sense valve to cause the mode select valve to select the other one of said modes for the second actuator;
• using the first actuator to provide the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the bypass mode;
• and
• using the first and second actuators to provide the actuation power for the aircraft flight control surface when the second actuator is in the assist mode.