Abstract:
A control system having a plurality of control channels, each of which includes a servo control means having a valve which moves responsively to the application of control signals so as to control the flow of fluid from a source thereof to an output member connected for positioning a load. Electrical transducer means is connected to the control valve to produce an electrical signal which is characteristic of the servo control means. An electrical model which produces an output electrical signal which is characteristic of that signal desired for the servo control valve is provided. The output electrical signals are connected to a comparator for detecting disparity between the signals thus generated and then for providing an output signal which deactivates the particular servo control means wherein the failure has occurred which causes the disparity in the signals being compared.
Abstract:
A fluid flow control system for moving a load positioning member which system utilizes a closed hydraulic system of predetermined capacity including a reservoir. A continuously running fixed displacement pump means having inlet and outlet ports is connected to receive fluid from the reservoir and to transmit the fluid to the load positioning means. Control valve means is disposed to control the amount of fluid flow to the pump means and to direct the flow from the pump means to the load positioning member. Control means is connected to the control valve means to position the control valve means responsive to received signals to properly position the valve means respective to the inlet and outlet ports of the pump means thereby to effect the desired rate of flow. There may be also included make-up valve means between the reservoir and the intake port of the pump means, relief valve means between the output port of the pump means and the reservoir, as well as shut-off valve means responsive to discrepancy in compared signals within the control means of the system for eliminating control of the load positioning member by a particular pump means and control valve means associated therewith.