EP0132199A1 - Hydraulic distributor for the control of an aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

This hydraulic distributor intended to equip an aircraft servo-control, for example the control of the air brake flaps of the wings of an aircraft, comprises a plug (12) rotatably mounted in a fixed fur (13) housed in a body ( 15) and connected to a control device, and an annular jacket (14) interposed between the plug (12) and the fur (13), bores (19, 23, 26) for the pressure inlet and the outlet d 'a hydraulic fluid being drilled in the fur (14) and the jacket (13), as well as passages on the periphery of the plug (12) to ensure the circulation of the hydraulic fluid. According to the invention, the jacket (14) is rotatably mounted in the body (15) and protrudes outside this body (15) while being rotatably integral with a lateral lever (32) associated with a summing member a feedback servo capable of automatically copying the angular position of the plug (12) by the jacket (14), after an order from the pilot of the aircraft.

Description

The present invention relates to a hydraulic distributor intended to equip an aircraft control, in particular the flaps or "spoilers" of the wings of an aircraft which are used to control the turns thereof, or as air brakes during of the landing.

There are known servo-controls with three-way hydraulic distributors connected to a differential actuator, that is to say that a single chamber is supplied by the distributor to control the flaps of the wings of an aircraft, with servo feedback to electrical components and mechanical intermediate components, that is to say links and pivots of articulation between the servo and the distributor.

A device is thus produced with "position copying", which requires, when the distributor is not integrated into the jack, an extremely bulky and complicated system of links and intermediate articulation axes to transmit the order to feedback of the servo position, after a pilot control maneuver.

Also known from GB-A-1 119 991 is a four-way servo-control distributor performing a function of this type and comprising a central plug and a rotor surrounding the plug, but the production of which is complicated and bulky . In fact, in this known arrangement, a body is provided in three parts, two end parts and an intermediate ring, the plug and the rotor being arranged concentrically with respect to each other at the level of the intermediate ring. and extending respectively through one of the par ends of the body, by two shafts which are therefore arranged on either side of the body.

The object of the invention is to provide a servo-control with a position feedback device which does not present a prohibitive bulk, and the production of which is simplified compared to known systems.

To solve this problem, the invention provides for using a double distributor comparable to that described in patent FR-A-79 17 184 (2 460 435). This front four-way hydraulic distributor has two use chambers and is equipped with a safety device guaranteeing the continuity of the normal operation of the distributor, in the event of seizure or blockage of its central control valve.

This distributor therefore comprises a central plug rotatably mounted in a fixed fur housed in a body, and connected at one end to a control device, and an annular jacket interposed between the plug and the fur, bores for the pressure inlet and the outlet of a hydraulic fluid being drilled in the fur and in the jacket, as well as passages on the periphery of the plug to ensure the circulation of the hydraulic fluid from one bore to the other of the fur passing through those of the shirt when the bushel turns.

According to the invention, the shirt is rotatably mounted in the body and one end of this shirt projects outside the body on the side of the latter where said end of the plug is already protruding and it is secured to a lateral lever, transverse to the axis of the plug and associated with a summator constituting a feedback control, capable of gradually returning, by means of the aforementioned lever, the shirt to its initial angular position relative to the plug, after rotation of the latter by a predetermined angle.

According to another characteristic, there is provided in the vicinity of the ends of the plug and the jacket which protrude from the body, an intermediate piece integral in rotation with one of these two elements and provided with seals cooperating respectively with these two elements.

Thus, the invention transforms the safety jacket of the distributor of the aforementioned patent FR-A-2 460 435 into an element fulfilling a completely different function, since this jacket then constitutes the terminal element of a position feedback device.

Therefore, this solution avoids the implementation of bulky and complicated systems corresponding to rods and joints, to replace them with a single distributor that is compact and simple to produce.

• - la Figure 1 est une vue schématique illustrant le principe du dispositif de servo-commande à recopie de position incorporant un distributeur selon l'invention;
• - la Figure 2 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un mode de réalisation du distributeur hydraulique selon l'invention, suivant II-II de la Figure 3;
• - la Figure 3 est une vue en coupe axiale du distributeur hydraulique suivant III-III de la Figure 2;
• - la Figure 4 est une vue de dessous suivant la flèche K de la Figure 3 du distributeur visé par l'invention.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate an embodiment thereof by way of nonlimiting example:

• - Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating the principle of the position feedback servo-control device incorporating a distributor according to the invention;
• - Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the hydrau distributor lique according to the invention, according to II-II of Figure 3;
• - Figure 3 is an axial sectional view of the hydraulic distributor along III-III of Figure 2;
• - Figure 4 is a bottom view along arrow K of Figure 3 of the distributor covered by the invention.

The device shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 is a hydraulic servo-control of a part 1 articulated on a fixed axis 2, and which can for example be a flap or "spoiler" of an aircraft wing.

This servo-control comprises a linkage 3 driven by an electric motor not shown, and which can control the rotation of the central plug 4 of a hydraulic distributor 5 connected to a jack 6 whose annular chamber is permanently under pressure, and whose the rod is articulated on the pivoting flap 1.

The control of the distributor 5 can also be obtained mechanically, by a linkage 7, in a known manner. The assembly is completed by a "summator" 8 of a control loop 9 connecting the shutter 1 to the distributor 5.

The control loop including the adder 8 constitutes a "position copying" device after an order from the pilot who has triggered a rotation of the plug 4 by a determined angle and the subsequent tilting of the flap 1. This copying device automatically returns a liner 11 coaxial with the plug 4 in the distributor 5 to its initial angular position relative to the plug 4, in order to stabilize the flap 1 in its new position.

The dispenser according to the invention. shown in detail in Figures 2 to 4, presents a structure derived from that of the distributor of the above-mentioned French patent 2,460,435.

This hydraulic distributor 35 comprises a central plug 12 rotatably mounted in a fixed fur 13 coaxial with this plug, and an annular jacket 14 also coaxial with the plug 12, interposed between the latter and the fur 13. The latter is secured to a body 15 with interposition of a tubular sealing part 16.

All of these elements are housed in the body 15, from which the plug 12 projects by an end portion 17 fixed to a transverse arm 18 for controlling the plug 12 in rotation. Diametrically opposite bores 19, 21, 22, therefore six in number, are drilled at equal angular intervals in the tubular sealing part 16. Next to these bores, there are also other bores 23, 24, 25 six, are drilled in the fur 13, and likewise six openings 26, 27, 28 are formed in the jacket 14.

Finally, the plug 12 has on its periphery two recesses 29a, 29b, diametrically opposite and which extend over equal angular sectors.

The bores 19, 21, 22 open outwardly into an annular gap 10 which communicates with a pipe 30 (FIG. 3) for supplying pressurized hydraulic fluid, this fluid being discharged from the distributor by an outlet 31 formed in the body 15.

According to the invention, the rotary jacket 14 protrudes over a determined length A outside the body 15 on the same side as the plug, and its outer projecting part 14a is integral in rotation with a lateral lever 32 (Figures 3 and 4).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the lever 32 comprises a toothed end sector 33 engaged with a toothed wheel 34 of a summing device such as 8 (FIG. 1), intended to ensure the copying of the position angle of the plug 12 by the sleeve 14, and this by means of the operating lever 32.

Such a summing device is known per se and will therefore not be described.

On the other hand, it can be seen in FIG. 4 that the distributor 35 is fixed on a support 36 carrying an axis 37 on which a lever 38 is articulated, on which is in turn articulated the arm 18 for controlling the rotation of the plug 12. On the lever 38 is also articulated an arm 41 capable of being driven in translation by a motor member 42, thanks to the invention. All these various elements can be arranged on the same support face 36.

Referring to Figure 3, we see that the rotary sleeve 14 is mounted on a ball bearing 40 and on needle bearings 43, the latter being interposed between the sleeve 14 and the fur 13. The bearing 40 is interposed between the jacket 14 and a tubular part 44 fixed to the body 15 by bolts 45. Another ball bearing 46 is interposed between the jacket 14, the plug 12 and an annular shoulder 47 of the latter.

Annular seals 48, 49 embedded in a tubular part 51 interposed between the projecting part 14a of the liner 14 and the plug 12, provide sealing between the projecting part 14a, the insert 51 and the plug 12. This tubular part 51 is integral in rotation with the plug 12 and arm 18, by means of teeth or complementary fingers 51a. As a variant, the part 5 ₁ could be integral in rotation with the jacket 14.

• Du fluide hydraulique sous pression entre dans le distributeur 35 par les alésages 19, 23, et 26. Dans la position représentée à la Figure 2, le boisseau 12 est orienté de manière à arrêter le fluide dans les évidements 29a. 29b, qui ne communiquent pas avec les ouvertures 27, 28. Si maintenant le pilote de l'aéronef donne au distributeur 35, par l'intermédiaire des organes de commande 42, 41, 38, 18 un ordre qui entraine le boisseau 12 en rotation dans le sens anti-horaire AR (flèches sur la Figure 2), les passages 29a, 29b établissent la communication entre les alésages 19, 23, 26 d'une part, et 27, 25, 21 d'autre part, de sorte que le fluide hydraulique s'écoule vers sa première utilisation par les alésages 21, en suivant le parcours indiqué par les flèches en traits continus sur la Figure 2.

The device which has just been described operates in the following manner:

• Hydraulic fluid under pressure enters the distributor 35 through the bores 19, 23, and 26. In the position shown in Figure 2, the plug 12 is oriented so as to stop the fluid in the recesses 29a. 29b, which do not communicate with the openings 27, 28. If now the pilot of the aircraft gives the distributor 35, via the control members 42, 41, 38, 18 an order which drives the plug 12 in rotation counterclockwise AR (arrows in Figure 2), the passages 29a, 29b establish communication between the bores 19, 23, 26 on the one hand, and 27, 25, 21 on the other hand, so that the hydraulic fluid flows towards its first use through the bores 21, following the path indicated by the arrows in solid lines in FIG. 2.

Therefore, the flap or "spoiler" of the aircraft tilts at an angle which increases as long as the order of rotation of the plug 12 is maintained and the fluid can flow from the bores 19 to the bores 21 On the other hand, as soon as these bores are put into communication, the position feedback device comprising the adder triggers the rotation of the toothed wheel 34 in the direction which makes the lever 32 and consequently the jacket 14 rotate so that this the latter rotates in the same direction as the plug 12, whose movement it thus "follows", with a certain time lag.

This angular displacement of the jacket 14 is continues until the latter has returned to its initial angular position with respect to the plug 12. At this time, the communication between the bores 19 and 21 is interrupted, the rotation of the liner 14 stops, and the shutter of the airplane remains in its new position resulting from the pilot's order.

This movement "of position copying" by rotation of the jacket 14 in the same direction as the rotation of the control valve 12 obviously takes place in a similar manner, when the latter is rotated clockwise symbolized by the arrows R ( Figure 2). In this case, the passages 29a, 29b establish communication between the bores 19 and the bores 22, between which the hydraulic fluid follows the path indicated by the arrows in broken lines in Figure 2 towards the second use, that is to say - say to activate the aircraft shutter in the opposite direction to the previous one.

As before, the jacket 14 controlled in rotation by its lever 32 itself actuated by the toothed wheel 34 of the summator of the servo loop, copies the angular position of the plug 12, its angular displacement automatically stops when the communication between bores 19 and 22 is interrupted.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described and may include variant embodiments. In all cases, the fact of copying the angular position of the plug 12 by securing the liner 14 with a lever such as 32 of the servo-control summator considerably reduces the size and complexity of the device which would be necessary if the 'we had adopted a more classic solution.

To achieve this advantageous result, it suffices in fact to provide a jacket 14 rotatably mounted and having a protruding part 14a outside the body 15 in order to allow it to be driven by an appropriate member such as 32, by providing bearings and sealing means suitably arranged between, on the one hand the jacket 14 and the body 15, and on the other hand between the plug 12 and the jacket 14.

Claims (3)

1 - Hydraulic distributor intended to equip an aircraft servo-control, for example the flaps (1) of air brakes of the wings of an airplane, comprising a plug (12) rotatably mounted in a fixed fur (13) housed in a body (15) and connected at one end (17) to a control device (18, 41, 42), and an annular jacket (14) interposed between the plug (12) and the fur (13), bores (19, 23, 26; 27, 25, 21; 28, 24, 22) for the inlet under pressure and the outlet of a hydraulic fluid being drilled in the fur (13) and in the jacket (14) as well as passages (29a, 29b) on the periphery of the plug (12) to ensure the circulation of the hydraulic fluid from one bore (23) to the other (24, 25) of the fur (13) passing through those of the jacket (14) when the plug (12) rotates, characterized in that the jacket (14) is rotatably mounted in the body and one end (14a) of this jacket (14) projects outside the body, on the side of the latter where already end said end (17) of the plug and it is integral with a lateral lever (32) associated with a summator constituting a feedback feedback, capable of gradually bringing back, by means of the aforementioned lever, the jacket (14) at its initial angular position relative to the plug (12). after rotation of the latter by a predetermined angle. 2 - Distributor according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided in the vicinity of the ends (17; 14a) of the plug (12) and of the jacket (14) which project out of the body, an intermediate piece (51) integral in rotation with one of these two elements and provided with seals (48, 49) cooperating respectively with these two elements. 3 - Servo-control device for aircraft, characterized in that it comprises, a distributor (35) according to one of claims 1 and 2, fixed on a support (36), the plug (12) of this distributor being solidiary of an arm (18) articulated on a lever (38) itself articulated on the support (36) and on which is also articulated a member (41) connected to motor means, while the lever (32) integral at one end of the jacket (14) of the dispenser carries at its opposite end a toothed sector (33) engaged with a toothed area (34) of a summing device (8).

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