Best way to mechanically achieve automated thrust levers?
Hi guys,
I have been thinking about the best way to achieve automated throttles in the most space efficient manner.
I have an audio and music background, and it occured to me that rather than using a potentiometer AND a servo, would it not be better to use something like a motorised fader, as found on mixing consoles? The Penny & Giles range is popular in the audio world.
This would achieve a) the sensing of position and b) a mechanism to provide movement back to the lever, as well as c) being in linear form (which would be useful for situations where more than 2 levers were used).
A method for converting linear to rotary would have to be devised, but that would be relatively simple to achieve.
Have these ever been used by anyone? Are there any major drawbacks I am missing?
Thanks!
Martin