IP Library Granted Patent US 8,036,783
Granted Patent B2
US 8,036,783 · App. 12/158,038 · Granted Oct 11, 2011

Device for error detection of adjustable flaps

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,036,783
App. No.
12/158,038
Granted
Oct 11, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

With a device for error detection of adjustable flaps on aircraft wings, it is proposed that each flap is provided with a tube as a transmission element arranged in the wing span. The tube is connected fixedly at one end with the flap and is rotatably held. On the free end of the tube, a measuring arm is fixedly arranged on the tube and a sensor fixed to the flap structure is arranged. When an error occurs, the flap twists, whereby a distance change between the sensor and measuring arm occurs. The signals of the sensor are transmitted for error localization of each flap to an evaluation device, which switches off the drive via a control device with occurring errors.

Claims (35)

1. A device for error detection of an adjustable flap of an aircraft wing, comprising:

a transmission element arranged in the aircraft wing, rotatably held on the adjustable flap, and fixedly connected in a first end region of the adjustable flap;

an element at a second end region of the adjustable flap as a reference point;

a sensor associated with the reference point for detecting a distance change; and

a fixedly associated measuring arm supported by the transmission element for forming the reference point that is associated with the sensor.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the transmission element is a tube.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the transmission element is a rod.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor at the reference point detects the distance change by a twisting with an asymmetry of the adjustable flap.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor at the reference point detects the distance change by a torsion of the adjustable flap.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an evaluation unit configured to receive a measured value of the sensor.

7. The device of claim 6 , further comprising a second sensor in a parallel arrangement with the sensor and a second evaluation unit, wherein the second evaluation unit is configured to receive a second measured value from the second sensor.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the measured value and the second measured value are compared and upon deviation of a predetermined threshold, a unit drive configured to adjust the adjustable flap is switched off.

9. The device of claim 6 , wherein evaluation units comprise a comparison unit.

10. The device of claim 6 , wherein evaluation units comprise a computer.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a turbulence sensor.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an inductive sensor.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is mounted to a flap structure.

14. A device for error detection of an adjustable flap of an aircraft wing, comprising:

a transmission element arranged in the aircraft wing, rotatably held on the adjustable flap, and fixedly connected in a first end region of the adjustable flap;

an element at a second end region of the adjustable flap as a reference point; and

a sensor associated with the reference point for detecting a distance change,

wherein the transmission element has oppositely, fixedly associated measuring arms for forming a plurality of reference points that are associated with at least the sensor arranged on the adjustable flap.

15. The device of claim 14 , wherein the transmission element is a tube.

16. The device of claim 14 , wherein the transmission element is a rod.

17. The device of claim 14 , wherein the sensor at the reference point detects the distance change by a twisting with an asymmetry of the adjustable flap.

18. The device of claim 14 , wherein the sensor at the reference point detects the distance change by a torsion of the adjustable flap.

19. The device of claim 14 , wherein the transmission element has oppositely, fixedly associated measuring arms for forming a plurality of reference points that are associated with at least the sensor arranged on the adjustable flap.

20. The device of claim 14 , further comprising an evaluation unit configured to receive a measured value of the sensor.

21. The device of claim 20 , further comprising a second sensor in a parallel arrangement with the sensor and a second evaluation unit, wherein the second evaluation unit is configured to receive a second measured value from the second sensor.

22. The device of claim 21 , wherein the measured value and the second measured value are compared and upon deviation of a predetermined threshold, a unit drive configured to adjust the adjustable flap is switched off.

23. The device of claim 20 , wherein evaluation units comprise a comparison unit.

24. The device of claim 20 , wherein evaluation units comprise a computer.

25. The device of claim 14 , wherein the sensor is a turbulence sensor.

26. The device of claim 14 , wherein the sensor is an inductive sensor.

27. The device of claim 14 , wherein the sensor is mounted to a flap structure.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 31, 2011
From: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
Reel/Frame 026360/0849 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 19, 2008
From: POHL, ULRICH
To: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 021122/0760 →