Patent ID: 9568383
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: B64F,G01B,G01L

Claim:
1. A static free play testing apparatus for determining free play of a moveable aircraft control surface which is mounted to a stationary aircraft structure for displacements about a hinge axis, wherein the testing apparatus comprises: an elongate support structure having opposed first and second ends; first and second attachment assemblies operatively associated with the support structure for removably positionally fixing the support structure to the stationary aircraft structure, wherein an actuator carried by the second end of the support structure, the actuator having a rectilinearly moveable actuator shaft which extends from the actuator at the second end of the support structure and contacts the moveable aircraft control surface when the support structure is removably positionally fixed to the stationary aircraft structure by the first and second attachment assemblies, wherein actuation of the actuator causes the actuator shaft to sequentially apply compression and tension loads the moveable aircraft control surface to cause respective deflections thereof about the hinge axis; a load cell operatively connected to the actuator shaft for sensing the sequentially applied compression and tension loads to the aircraft control surface and outputting a signal indicative of resistance forces thereto, and a displacement transducer having a transducer support that is capable of being removably fixed to the stationary aircraft structure, the displacement transducer being positioned in operative contact with the moveable aircraft control surface to output a deflection measurement signal indicative of the moveable aircraft control surface in response to movement of the moveable aircraft control surface by the sequential application of the compression and tension loads.