US1486493A - Control - Google Patents

Description

March 11, 1924. 1,486,493

I 1..v c. MILBURN CONTROL Filed Aug. 4, 1923 F I a ENT ATTQNEYS till till) I C3. ZZIELTS'UIRN, 01 CLEVEMND, @1510, ASSIGNUR TO THE GLEN ii L. ITAR- .llffil Dil @LEVELAND, UEHU, iZUEIPORAZiEQH 131 110.

Application filed August 1-, 1923.

To of? whom it may; coi cernlf be it known that l, Lnssrrun C. MrLennN, a citizen of the United States, residing at his ileveland 1n the county of Cuvahoga tate of *llhio, have invented a certain new and useful lmprovement in Controls, of which the following is a full, clear, and exertdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings l'leietotore, so for as 1 am aware, in spite of constant need therefor there has been produced no satisfactory means for operating the ailerons an airplane by cables lying in propinouity to each other, lily invention provides such means for so operating such ailerons. In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part thereof 1 have shown for purposes or" illustration, one form which my invention may a$ume In these drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates the essential features or an aileron control constructed in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the translating mechanism positioned adjacent each aileron, while Figure 3 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Figure 2.

The aileron operating means herein shown comprises a pair of translating mechanisms one positioned adjacent each aileron, an actuating mechanism, and a transmitting mechanism interconnecting the actuating and translating mechanisms.

Each of the translating mechanisms herein shown comp ises a pair of brackets 11 arranged to rotataloly support a pair of shafts 12 and 13 which carry intermeshing gears 14- and 15 adapted to produce in either shaft upon movement or" the other a corresponding movement in the reverse direction. These shafts 12 and 13 carry levers 16 and 17 provided at their extremities with apertures 18 and 19 arranged to receive suitable cables and, in addition, the shaft 13 carries a lever 20 pivoted at its free end to the forward end of a rod 21 which is in turn pivoted at its rear end to a bracket 22 secured to and rising from an aileron 23 which is mounted in any suitable manner as pivotally upon the rear edge of the adjacent wing.

The actuating mechanism comprises a single lever 24 which is secured to and depends from the tube 27 which may he mounted in the hottom of the coclcpit and Serial No. stereo.

operated by the usual control sticlr. {not shown) and which carries at its lower end a plate 25 pivoted thereto and provided with apertures 26 adapted to receive suitable cables.

The transmission mechanism comprises a pair of cables 28 eachadapted to be secured at one end within one of the apertures 26 of the plate 25 and at the other end within the aperture 18 of one of the levers 16 to thereby connect the actuating lever 21 with the lever 16, and a second cable 29 adapted to be secured-at its ends within the apertures 19 of the lever 17 and to thus connect the two levers 17. 1

In operation, movement of the actuating lever 24 in either direction will cause one of the cables 28 to exert a pull upon the lever 16 to which it is connected to cause a movement of that lever 16 corresponding to the movement of the actuating lever 25% and effective through the intermeshing gears 1 1 and 15 tocause a similar movement in reverse direction of the adjacent lever 17 which thus exerts a pull through the cable 29 upon the other lever 17 to cause a corresponding movement of that lever which acts through the gears 14 and 15 by which that lever 17 is connected to its adjacent lever'lth to cause a movement of the second lever 16 corresponding to the movement of the second lever 17 but in a'direction opposite to that of the lever 17 and in the same direction as that of the operating lever 24 to which the second lever 16 is connected by the second cable 28. This operation thus produces rotation of the two shafts 13 in the same direction and this like rotation of the two shafts 13 acts through the oppositely extending levers 20 to cause forward mov ment of one of the rods 21 and rearward movement or" the other rod 21 to thus simultaneously elevate one of the ailerons 23 and depress the other aileron 23.

It will be a parent from the above description that% have provided means for controlling and operating the ailerons of an airplane which functions without the use of pulleys or other similar return devices and in which the actuating cables lie in close propinquity to each other. It will also be apparent that this elimination of pulleys or similar devices avoids the rapid wear and danger incident thereto and that the location of the operating cables in propinquity Ell Ell

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lllll llllti to each other permits their passage through a single opening in the body of the airplane and permits the greater and freer use of the body of the airplane for any desired pur se.

I have esigned the operating means herein shown particularly for use in operating airplane ailerons but I realize that this means either in its present form or in some modified form may be used for other purposes and particularly for operating other surfaces used for deflecting and controlling airplanes or other aircraft. It will therefore be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiment herein disclosed but that this embodiment is illustrative only and that my invention includes all modifications and uses which lie within the spirit and incorporate'the advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to each other, a first pair of levers, a second pair of levers spaced longitudinally of said cables from said first pair of levers, one lever of each pair being connectedto one of said cables and the other lever of each pair being connected to the other of said cables, each of said levers being pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, separate means each interconnecting the levers of a pair in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to a pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in a pull by the other lever of that pair upon thecable connected thereto, a control stick acting upon one of said cables at an intermediate point thereof, an aileron pivoted adjacent each of said pairs of levers, and means connecting each aileron with the adjacent pair of levers in'such manner that movement of said pairs of levers in one direction eflects one movement of said ailerons and movement of said pairs of levers in the reverse direction effects reverse movement of said ailerons.

2. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to each other, a pair of levers, a second pair of levers spaced longitudinally of said cables from said first pair of levers, one lever of each pair being connected to one of said cables and the other lever of each pair being connected to the other of said cables, each of said levers being pivoted at a point spaced laterally from vsaid cables, separate means each intercom necting the levers of a pair in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to a pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in a pull by the other lever of that pair upon the cable connected thereto, an operating means acting upon one of said cables at an intermediate point thereof, an aileron pivoted adjacent each of said pairs of levers, and means connecting each aileron with the adjacent pair of levers in such manner that movement of said pairs of levers in one direction eflt'ects one movement of said ailerons and movement of said pairs of levers in the reverse direction effects reversemovement of said ailerons, said means comprising a bracket secured to the aileron, a third lever unitary with one of the levers of said pair of levers, and a rod connecting said bracket to said third lever.

3. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to each other, a pair of levers, a second pair of levers spaced longitudinally of said cables from said first pair of levers, one lever of each pair being connected to one of said cables and the other lever of each pair being connected to the other of said cables, each of said levers bein pivoted at a point spacedlaterally from sald cables, separate means each interconnecting the levers of a pair in such manner that movement or either of said levers in response to a pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in a pull by the other lever of that pair upon the cable connected thereto, an operating means acting upon one of said cables at an intermediate point thereof, an aileron pivoted adjacent each of said pairs of levers, and means connecting each aileron with the adjacent pair of levers in such. manner that movement of said pairs of levers in one direction etiects one movement of said ailerons and movement of said pairs of levers in the reverse direction effects reverse movement of said ailerons i. In combination, a pair of cables extend ing in propinquity to each other, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, means interconnecting said levers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in re sponse to pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connected thereto, an aileron, means connecting said aileron to said levers whereby movement of said levers in one direction operates said aileron in one direction and movement of said levers in the reverse direction operates said aileron in the opposite direction, said means comprising a bracket secured to the aileron, a third lever unitary with one of said levers, and a rod connecting said bracket and said third lever, and control means connected to said cables and adapted to exert a pull on either of said cables and simultaneously ermit retrocession ot the other oi said ca ice in a corresponding amount.

5. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to each other. a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at a'point spaced laterally from said lid cables, a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, means interconnecting said levers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connected thereto, a pivoted surface adapted to be operated to deflect an airship, means connecting said surface to said levers whereby movement of said levers in one direction operates said surface in one direction and movement of said levers in the reverse direction operates said surface in the opposite direction, and a control stick connected to said cables and adapted to exert a pull on either of said cables and simultaneously permit retrocession of the other of said cables in a corresponding amount.

6. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to each other, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, means interconnecting said levers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected thereto, results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connected thereto, an aileron, means connecting said aileron to said levers whereby movement of said levers in one direction operates said aileron in one direction and movement of said levers in the reverse direction operates said aileron in the opposite direction, and control means connected to said cables and adapted to exert a pull on either of said cables and simultaneously permit retrocession of the other of said cables in a corresponding amount,

7. in combination, a pair of cables extendmg in propinquity to each other, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted at a pointspaced laterally from said cables, means interconnecting said levers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected there to results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connected tl'iereto, a pivoted surface adapted to be operated to deflect the course of an airship, a bracket carried by said surface, a third lever unitary with one of said levers, and a connecting bracket with said third lever, whereby movement of said levers in one direction operates surface in one direction movement of said lovers in the reverse di rection operates said surface the opposite direction; and control means connected to said ceblesand adapted exert a pull on cables,

either of said cables and simultaneously permit retrocession of the other of said cables in a corresponding amount.

8. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to each other, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, means interconnecting said levers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connected thereto, a pivoted sur- -face adz'ipted to be operated to deflect the course of an airship, means connecting said surface to said levers whereby movement of said levers in one direction operates said surface in one direction and movement of said levers in the reverse direction operates said. surface in the opposite direction, and controlmeans connected to said cables and adapted to exert a pull on either of said cables and simultaneously permit retroeession of the other of said cables in a corresponding amount.

9. In combination. a pair of cables es:- tending in propinquity to each other, a pair of levers, a second pair of levers spaced longitudinally from said first pair of levers, one lever of each pair being connected to one of said cables and the other lever of each pair beingconnected to the other of said cables, each of said levers being pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, the two pivotal axes of the two levers oi each pair lying in a single plane parallel to saidcables, and separate sets of gearing each interconnecting the levers of a pair in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to a pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in a pull by the other lever that pair upon cable connected thereto and each comprising a pair of intermeshing gears one unitary with each such shaft, and an operating means acting upon one of said cables at an intermediate point thereof,

it in combination, a pair cables es:- tending in propinquity to each other, pair of levers, a second pair of levers spaced longitudinally of said cables from said first pair, one lever of each pair being connected 0 one of said cables and the other lever of ach pair being" connected. to the other of said cables, each of said levers being pivotat a point spaced later-ail" s cable and separate means each interc netting the levers of a in such n ner that movement of either levers in respon to a pull thereoi 3* the cable connected ereto results in pull by the other lever of that pair upon the cable con nected thereto, and an opera a UAQEHZS their ing upon one of said cables at an intermediate point thereof.

11. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to each other, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at a point spaced laterally-from said cables, a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables and upon an axis parallel to the pivotal axis of said first lever, said axes lying in a single plane parallel to said cables, and gearing interconnecting said levers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connected thereto, said gearing comprising a pair of intermeshing gears one unitary with each of said levers.

12. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to each other, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, two intermeshing gears, one unitary with each of said levers, and interconnectingsaid levers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connected thereto.

13. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquityto each other, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at a point spaced. laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, and l gearing interconnecting said levers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in pull by the otlter said lever upon the cable con nected thereto.

14. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to each other, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted on-an axis parallel to the axis of said first lever at a point spaced laterally from said cables, said axes lying in a single plane parallel to said cables, and means interconnecting said levers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connected thereto.

15. In combination, a pair of cables extending in propinquity to each other, a first lever connected to one of said cables and pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, a second lever connected to the other of said cables and also pivoted at a point spaced laterally from said cables, and means interconnecting said levers in such manner that movement of either of said levers in response to pull thereon by the cable connected thereto results in pull by the other said lever upon the cable connected thereto.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature.

LESSITER C. MILBURN.

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