B737 Power Assisted Controls-Electrical

[blueskydriver]

It has been two years to the exact day that I posted my initial question about the motorized control(s) platform (call it "the platform") that I have on Flightdeck Solutions (FDS) Website-Forums. At that time, Maurice mainly answered my first questions and since I wasn't at the point of really working on this item, I just covered it up and left it for another day.

Well, that day is today and I've had a great deal of time to just sit and stare at this thing from top to bottom. Amazingly, this unit has a lot to offer, to me and many of you. The first being that it has a well designed method for using springs, motors, electric clutches, relays, switches and etc to control the yoke (aileron and elevator), the pedals (rudder and toe brakes), as well as trims (for all three surfaces).

Second, it has multitude of wiring schematics included with it. Although they're rather old and need to be scanned into a PDF document (some 400 pages), I see them as a great aspect that many of you, that are well versed in electronics, will gather a wealth of information from them

Finally, what I need is a lot of help with this and in return, I'll post a detail photo layout of the complete platform, as well as provide complete copies of the wiring schematics (in PDF) form, and list any measurements that anyone of you ask for. However, I ask that you please read the posts that were first started on the FDS site.

Here is the link to the FDS info:

http://www.flightdecksolutions.com/f...motors&start=0

Additionally, give me sometime to post items. I have some video footage that I'll be adding to my YouTube account shortly. If you have a specific item you like to see close-up in a video, please reply here with the area in question and what you'd like me to record for you.

Now, I've come to my most important question and why I'm asking Westozy first:

In another post, here:
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/show...Control+motors

I've read about control loading, but imagine this for a moment...electrical power steering, much like hydraulic power steering, using an electrical components for power steering assistance has been done in automobiles and I see no reason why these techniques could not be applied in the movements of the control surfaces of our sims.

Why? Well, if electrical power motors are used to assist the movement of the controls, those same motors can be used to automate the controls in the Autopilot (AP) mode, and the motors could also be used to simulate failures by turning them off and thereby, simulate hydraulic failures. Believe me the resistance of the controls without power is very large, it takes a great deal to move them without power.

Anyway, the question, how does it work? I mean if the yoke (aileron) for example is being turn to the right by the pilot, how does a sensor know when to begin to apply assistance and then know when to hold it, and then know when to release it to allow the springs to return the yoke to center. And that my friends’ is what I don't understand?

New Photos, videos and other data will be coming soon...

Here is the old video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Electrif.../0/NRCuUX0n7-A

John

[Westozy]

Hi John,
I'm sorry but I am unable to answer your questions, my expertise is strictly mechanical! As soon as it comes to electronics and electrical engineering I'm in the dark too.

Gwyn

[blueskydriver]

Recorded a bunch of video and will post shortly. However, in searching for answers I found some force/touch sensors here:

http://www.trossenrobotics.com/c/rob...ensor-fsr.aspx

youtube video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl2b7UQMsHo

These work with phidgets cards.

Here is what I'm thinking. Using a force sensor somewhere on the yoke; not exactly where your hands would be (or it could be where hands are placed), but instead on the yoke column or a metal part of the column. The force sensor would measure the amount of force being applied to the yoke, and via the phidgets/software send voltage to a relay. From the relay signal, to relay power for 110 volts to turn a motor on, as well as relay power 24 volts for an electric clutch engagement/disengagement. Using limit switches, the limits would be triggered when reaching end points and thereby, releasing the clutch. Another force sensor would be used for opposite direction motor turning and clutch engagement/disengagement.

I'm not sure if force sensors of this type are the correct way to go, but if someone can recommend something different, please do so. The main idea is having power assisted control movements for the yoke, forward and aft; as well as, yoke, right and left.

Here is another video that helps explain what I'm after:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1p8MWlGouk


Thank you