Thrust Control Assembly Balk Force Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thrust control systems for aircraft rely on solenoids, which are heavy, unreliable, and expensive, and do not effectively prevent inadvertent application of reverse or forward thrust due to the reliance on mechanical locks and solenoid control.
Innovation Solution
A thrust control assembly featuring a movable thrust lever coupled to a hub, with an auto-throttle actuator and a balk application arrangement that provides a balk force to oppose pilot attempts to apply thrust in inappropriate directions, eliminating the need for solenoids by using the auto-throttle actuator to control the thrust lever.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solenoids are used to control thrust lever position, then thrust mode can be controlled, but the system becomes heavy, unreliable, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the solenoid-based mechanical control system with an auto-throttle actuator that uses a hub and lever arrangement. The actuator directly positions the thrust lever through mechanical coupling without requiring solenoids, thereby eliminating the reliability issues and complexity associated with solenoid-based systems while maintaining precise thrust mode control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the solenoid components from the thrust control system. By eliminating the solenoids entirely and using only the auto-throttle actuator with hub-lever mechanism, the system achieves simpler, more reliable operation without the heavy and expensive solenoid-based control components
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical locks are used to prevent inadvertent thrust application, then safety is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical lock arrangements with an auto-throttle actuator system that provides inherent protection against inadvertent thrust application. The actuator's control logic and mechanical coupling prevent unauthorized or accidental thrust changes without requiring separate mechanical lock components, thereby maintaining safety while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hub acts as an intermediary between the thrust lever and the actuator, providing a mechanical interface that inherently prevents inadvertent thrust application. The hub's design ensures that thrust lever movement can only occur through authorized actuator operation, eliminating the need for additional mechanical locks while maintaining protection against harmful inadvertent thrust changes
3Loss of time
If reverse thrust is used to assist brakes, then stopping distance is reduced, but brake wear is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic control of thrust mode through the auto-throttle actuator, allowing reverse thrust to be applied in conjunction with brakes during landing. This dynamic thrust-assist capability reduces the stopping distance requirement, thereby reducing brake wear over time even though reverse thrust is actively used to assist braking
Data Source
AI summary
A thrust control assembly includes a balk application arrangement which provides, in response to a received balk command to prohibit command of thrust in a balk direction, a balk force on a rotatable thrust lever acting to oppose an attempt by the pilot to move the lever in a direction so as to command or increase thrust in the balk direction. The balk application arrangement controls an auto-throttle actuator to provide the balk force on the thrust lever.