REFLECTOR: Canard Center Hinge

[Scott Baker]

The relative locations of the trim spring and the 'sparrow strainer' should not affect the differential elevator positions that you are seeing.
If the elevator positions are changing relative to one another in flight, you should be able to duplicate this movement on the ground.
Immobilize one of the elevators by 'C-clamping" it to the wing tip.  Manipulate the opposite elevator to see if there is movement.
If movement is present, determine where the 'slop' is occuring.  It may be in the outboard bushings of the concentric elevator torque tubes; or where the left and right torque tubes are joined together.  Note: be sure to use two bolts to attach the left and right elevator torque tubes together.  The one bolt that connects the elevator push-pull rod end to the torque tubes is not, in itself, enough.  Tighten everything to ensure both elevators work together and do not slip differentially.
Scott B.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Richard J. Gentil 
  To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list 
  Sent: Monday, March 21, 2011 7:14 PM
  Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Canard Center Hinge


  Question I have, I attached the Sparrow on the right side elevator and I have the trim spring attached to the left side elevator torque tube. I am wondering if this is contributing to the issue since they are opposing forces on the elevator. 


  I am wondering if it would be worth moving the sparrow to the left elevator so the trim spring and sparrow are on the same side. (Due to the avionics there was no room for the trim spring on the right elevator torque tube.)


  Is there a specific reason the factory calls for the trim spring on the left and the sparrow on the right?


  Richard

  Sent from my iPhone 4

  On Mar 21, 2011, at 12:23 PM, "Richard J. Gentil" <richard at naples-air-center.com> wrote:


    Al,


    That would be fantastic thank you!


    Richard

    Sent from my iPhone 4

    On Mar 21, 2011, at 1:03 PM, "Al Gietzen" <ALVentures at cox.net> wrote:


      Richard;



      I used self-aligning ball bearings that bolt to the center pivot support.  The o.d. of these bearings fit snugly inside the ends of the torque tubes (concentric version). I haven’t been able to find a photo. With some research I could probably find the bearing part # (from Aircraft Spruce). 



      Al 



      -----Original Message-----
      From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On Behalf Of Richard J. Gentil
      Sent: Sunday, March 20, 2011 11:16 AM
      To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
      Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Canard Center Hinge



      Dennis,



      I would appreciate pictures and yes I am talking about the bushing dead center. 



      Richard

      Sent from my iPhone 4


      On Mar 20, 2011, at 1:21 PM, Dennis Martin <dennis.doc at gmail.com> wrote:

        Are we talking about the bushing at dead center between the two elevators? If so, I redesigned that. I inserted needle bearings inside each elevator tube. Next I took a steel shaft (recycled from an electric motor) and inserted it in aluminum fork in the middle. Now each elevator tube slides into the steel shaft. No way for it to work loose. I can send photos if anyone's interested.

        Dennis

        On Sat, Mar 19, 2011 at 9:25 PM, Richard J. Gentil <richard at naples-air-center.com> wrote:

        I was on my third test flight today and I noticed the elevators  were no longer trailing at the same angle so I landed immediately. Here are the shots from 5,500 feet at 120kts IAS (130kts TAS). 



        (Second picture of the canard will be in the next email.)


        After landing I seem to have some play at the oilite bushing. Everything else is tight from what I can tell. All that is left is the bushing. From what I am guessing is that the left elevator has the pressure of the pitch trim spring and the right elevator has the downward pressure of the sparrow strainer. 

        Any ideas would be helpful. My plan is to remove the canard and examine the oilite bushing. 

        Richard

        Sent from my iPhone 4


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        -- 
        All the best,
        Dennis

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