The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 18, 1989
Filed:
Apr. 16, 1987
Valentin G Barba, Princeton Junction, NJ (US);
Eugene E Shube, Elmont, NY (US);
Plessey Incorporated, White Plains, NY (US);
Abstract
An authority limiter includes an input shaft clutched to an output shaft. The output shaft is geared to a motor. Opto-sensors, variable resistors or Hall effect devices provide control signals to a current source supplying power to the motor. Different amounts of opposing torque are applied by the motor dependent upon the positioning of a disc, mechanically attached to the output shaft, that is sensed by the detecting devices. By sensing various angular deviations from a null position, scheduled degrees of torque are applied to the input and output shafts. In another embodiment, the disc is coupled to the output shaft by an auxiliary clutch. When the electrical power is removed from both clutches and the motor, a rotational centering means moves the disc back to a null position with respect to the limiter. Fault monitoring circuitry is provided to disengage the authority limiter when a fault occurs. Finally, solid state switches are provided for interfacing with the aircraft and for enablement of associated devices or satisfactory engagement of the clutch.