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  1. #11
    alandyer
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    Re: Servo Power for throttles

    James,

    Here is a solution I am working on with fs2phidget.
    Those large servos for the speed brake and auto-throttles require a power controller i.e. relay.

    I am proposing adding a "Servo Control" setting for digital output that controls 0/0/4 relay.
    This setting will consist of a list, of up to 8 offsets, (that the builder can assign,) that must ALL be at a specified value to turn the digital output on. This will replicate AND gate circuitry.

    Henceforth, called M-control in honor of builder who perfected solution.

    In addition, by assigning the speed brake servo and speed brake sensor (pot) to the same fs2phidget virtual circuit, the sensor can be inhibited when the servo is active, and vica versa.

    There will also be a value setting for the sensor, that will indicate when sensor is to turn the digital output off (or on). This emulates switch on the spoiler lever.

    Maurice,
    Refresh my memory, how many conditions do you AND together on your auto-throttle servo controller ? Are 8 offsets enough ?

    Regards,
    Alan.

  2. #12
    300+ Forum Addict mauriceb's Avatar
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    Re: Servo Power for throttles

    Quote Originally Posted by alandyer View Post

    Maurice,
    Refresh my memory, how many conditions do you AND together on your auto-throttle servo controller ? Are 8 offsets enough ?

    Regards,
    Alan.
    Hi Alan,

    This is great news, but I wish I had asked you to do that before I completed mine . But I'm not 100% sure I fully understand your solution. Basically, I use only 2 inputs to an AND gate (the output powers the relay); one of them is the A/T ARM offset and the other is the output of an OR gate. The OR gate generates a true output (1) if either of 3 conditions are true - Speed, TOGA or VNAV. If using FS9 without PM MCP software, the offsets inputs to the OR gate are different and for sure you will also need the MACH offset in addition to the SPEED offset. With PM, I don't need that one.

    Now, getting back to your solution, if you are able to replicate the AND/OR conditions (I'm pretty sure you can) then 8 offsets are more than enough. I only use 4 now, but I'm pretty sure there might be additional offsets which I haven't thought about yet and which may be needed under some other condition when you would want to enable the servos, so I left unused inputs in my OR gate to take care of those. if needed. So, your 8 inputs should take care of just about everything I would imagine.

    I wish the 0/0/4 had been available when I needed it. It was back-ordered for a long time and it is such an easy way to actuate a relay instead of using discrete components.

    Anyway, I think your solution is going to make a lot of builders very happy. It will be a very elegant way to deal with this thorny issue. Feel free to ask me any questions about my klutzy, but working solution if you need to.


    Best regards,
    Maurice

  3. #13
    imported_redman
    Guest

    Re: Servo Power for throttles

    Hi Alan,
    thats great news. Thanks.

    Would a circuit throught a 0/16/16 also work for this? (i.e. any reason for using a 0/4/4 instead)?

    Regards
    Chris

  4. #14
    alandyer
    Guest

    Re: Servo Power for throttles

    James,

    First part of your question:
    From a logical standpoint, digital output is digital output.
    Fs2Phidget applies same digital functionality to any output: 0/16/16, 0/0/4, 8/8/8, 1/0/256, 0/32/32 or LED-64

    Last part of your question:
    Will card handle voltage and amperage ?
    The 0/16/16 literature states:
    Digital outputs can be used to drive LEDs, solid state relays, transistors; they can sink up to 30V at 2A.
    Maurice, or better still, the folks at Phidgets Inc, are better persons to answer this portion of your question.

    Regards,
    Alan

  5. #15
    imported_redman
    Guest

    Re: Servo Power for throttles

    Hi Alan,
    thinking about it, the 0/16/16 uses shared voltage, but the 0/0/4 relays uses seperate circuits for each output, so they can be seperated.
    I have oreder a new 0/0/4 and look forward to the new functionality when available.

    Cheers and awesome thanks.
    Chris

  6. #16
    alandyer
    Guest

    Re: Servo Power for throttles

    Chris,

    Keep calling you James. Apologies.
    One other design consideration:
    B737 throttle quadrants have a solid detent at the Spoiler handle's DWN position. Requires lifting handle to move out of detent.

    If you have quadrant that has this detent,
    you may want to consider a cut-out switch, as in Maurice's design.
    Servo may get into a fight with handle in the detent position and loose.

    Regards,
    Alan.

  7. #17
    alandyer
    Guest

    Re: Servo Power for throttles

    Have an update on fs2Phidget for spoiler handle servo.
    Tested yesterday evening with ePhidgets.
    Testing today against real servos.
    The solution is generic, i.e. intention is also to use for auto-throttles.

    Assumptions:
    A digital output, usually a 0/0/4, controls power to large servos.
    Analog input senses spoiler position.
    Servo moves spoiler handle to UP or DWN position.
    Analog input and servo connected to same handle.
    A digital input senses state of a Cut-Out switch at the spoiler handle DWN position.
    OEM throttle quads have detent for spoiler handle DWN position.
    Would not want servo attempting to move detented handle.
    Servo might loose the battle. (I love the smell of servos in the morning)

    Configuring:
    Assign Spoiler_Handle variable to Digital Output (0/0/4 controller), Servo, Analog Input and Digital Input (cut-out).
    Assign above to same Circuit.
    Select configure for Digital Output.
    A "Servo Power Control" button will be enabled if a servo and an analog input are attached and have been assigned the same circuit and the same variable.
    Press button to configure "Servo Power Control".
    Configure by selecting (up to variables that specify condition when servo is enabled.
    In case of spoiler this would be Spoiler_Armed and Squat_Switch variables.

    Operation:
    The configured variables values are compared to their On Values.
    If both variables are "On" (logical AND) the servo is set "Active".
    (for example, if Squat_ Switch AND Spoiler_Armed are ON )
    the Servo-Controller Digital Output does the following:
    1. Goes On or Off - connecting or disconnecting power to the servo.
    2. Sets Servo to "Active" (receives updates on spoiler handle position).
    3. Sets Analog Input to "Inhibit" (does not update spoiler handle position in MS-FS)
    4. If Cut-Out is detected "On" - Servo is inhibited and Sensor is activated.
    5. Inhibits Cut-Out digital input state from updating the MS-FS' spoiler handle position.

  8. #18
    imported_redman
    Guest

    Re: Servo Power for throttles

    Awesome work Alan,
    I hopefully will get my 0/0/4 soon, and will be ready to give it a try.

    Thanks for your hard work.

    Cheers
    Chris

  9. #19
    10+ Posting Member JW&Partner's Avatar
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    Possible plan for connecting throttle

    Hi,

    attached you find a possible solution for the throttle with phidgets and 4 low cost low current relais.

    http://shop.strato.de/WebRoot/Store/...erkabelung.doc

    kind regards Jörg
    www.simparts.de
    Jörg Weinmann
    Stuttgart
    Germany
    +49 711 / 4709846

  10. #20
    25+ Posting Member
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    Sorry to resurrect old threads, but I read these 2 pages 3 times and am still a bit confused.

    If I buy the phidget usb servo 4 contoller, do I also need to buy the 8/8/8 card?

    I am testing the opencockpits cards for switches/leds etc.

    I will be buying the simparts TQ kit as soon as they are back up and running.

    So what parts, cards do I need to buy?

    Also will a micro switch work to disconnect the power to the speed break servo? or do I realy need a relay?
    If so which type and can some one give me a brief explanation of how they work and how to connect them?

    Also which servos are recommended?

    Thanks

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