Stiffness Calculation and Predetermined Preload Optimal Design of Cable Control System

The stiffness of cable flight control systems is one of the most important design parameter for aviation aircraft, because it can change the characteristic of control stick and influence the maneuverability and stability of the flight control system. Flexible cable control system is the main type of mechanical flight control system, in which movement can only be transmitted by cable in tension, the stiffness of cable control system is affected mainly by predetermined preload(PP), however the excessive PP would increase friction between cable and pulley which leads pilot an unfavorable maneuver. In this paper, the theoretical stiffness calculation of cable control system with the complex cable braided construction has been calculated and discussed, in addition the effects of cable deflection and linkage pulley are taken into account to obtain a precise stiffness calculation, and also the predetermined preload related to friction is studied through numerical example, as well as the numerical results have been compared with the experimental results.