Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft control – Pilot operated
Patent
1991-12-30
1993-02-23
Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft control
Pilot operated
244236, 192 41R, 192 44, B64C 1304
Patent
active
051883163
ABSTRACT:
The throttle of an aircraft can be alternatively controlled either by a flight control computer or by the manual control of the pilot. A clutch is installed between the throttle control lever and a control input to the flight control computer which in the autothrottle mode of operation is engaged to enable control of the throttle by the flight control computer with the control lever being positioned in accordance with such control. When manual takeover of the throttle control is desired, a switch is actuated by the pilot which operates to disengage the clutch and thereby disconnects the control output of the computer from the lever so that only manual control is provided. A unique clutch mechanism is employed which utilizes a pair of locking wedges which operate in conjunction with a pair of rollers. The wedges and rollers are driven into engagement with each other by a solenoid, the opposing plates of the clutch being held in locking engagement through the intermediary provided by the wedges and rollers. Emergency "bump" disconnection of the clutch is effected by a pair of microswitches against which a cantilevered spring portion of the control lever abuts when the lever is "bumped", such switches operating to de-energize the solenoid and disengage the clutch.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1399038 (1921-12-01), Valois
patent: 4429591 (1984-02-01), Zuch et al.
patent: 4567786 (1986-02-01), Sakurai
Dressler Jim
Johnston Bill
Loftis Gerald
Salierno Mark
Solt Gordon
Bidwell Anne E.
Dover Corporation
Peters Jr. Joseph F.
Sokolski Edward A.
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