Author Topic: An Original Idea?--- Trim Tab Locking Hinge Devise/pix (Read 4410 times)

frank carlisle · « **on:** January 12, 2008, 10:03:13 PM »

I think I've had an original idea. But I'm not sure. There have been times when I thought that I'd come up with something new only to find out later that someone had already done it.
This is one of those times that I think I may have come up with an original idea.

This is the mock up trim tab I made to check for function and fit. The actual tab will be contoured better.

Here are the pictures.....Have you ever seen it done this way?

steve pagano · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:18:36 PM »

Frank,

Im not sure if it's ever been done before but thats one way cool idea!!!!

Dennis Vander Kuur · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:39:07 PM »

Frank,
That is a pretty ingenious idea.

DennisV

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2008, 10:54:56 PM »

Frank
I agree with the other Dennis - INGENIOUS!

So what's the bird its attached to?

frank carlisle · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2008, 09:16:49 AM »

I'm really pleased with your responses and happy that after all these years I came up with something new. We've had trim tabs since the 1940's (?) and it's incredible that after all that time there is yet another way to do it. Needless to say I'm more pleased with myself than usual.

In a couple of weeks I'll be able to take pix of a good latch ( another new idea I hope) for the hatch.

The plane is a kit bashed Vector 40. Aero Tiger 36. Trike gear. Jet style. Painted like the L.A. Heat so I have a matched set of planes for next season.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2008, 09:18:28 AM »

Neat idea Frank. What size wire? 3/32? How did you bend the wire with the wheel collar on it? What is the thickness of the brass? 1/32?

Take care.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2008, 09:20:35 AM »

What's the can of Raid used for?

frank carlisle · « **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2008, 09:28:56 AM »

Crist, the Raid is there for the photo op. I had a spider epidemic.

The wire is 1/16 piano wire. I used needle nose and standard pliers to bend the wire. The brass tab is 1/32 thick. I used my dremel tool with a cutting disc to cut a groove into the wheel collar. I inserted the brass tab into the slot and soldered it. The wheel collar is brass also.
The set up is very solid. The 1/16 wire was easy to bend but at the size of a standard staple it will not twist or give.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2008, 09:46:49 AM »

Frank, Thanks for the info. BTW the new plane looks great. Keep us posted as what you are doing with the LG.

I hope the spiders are taking care of!

Leester · « **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2008, 10:11:29 AM »

The "Carlisle Tab" has a ring to it.

RandySmith · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2008, 11:55:14 AM »

Quote from: frank carlisle on January 12, 2008, 10:03:13 PM

I think I've had an original idea. But I'm not sure. There have been times when I thought that I'd come up with something new only to find out later that someone had already done it.
This is one of those times that I think I may have come up with an original idea.

This is the mock up trim tab I made to check for function and fit. The actual tab will be contoured better.

Here are the pictures.....Have you ever seen it done this way?

Hi Frank

The tabs on my airplanes are done in almost the exact same manner except I use a Robards Horny hinge point, It does the same as your homemade hinge. and gives you the hinge and horn on the same piece.
I'll post a picture later, ....just another way to do it.

Randy

Will Hinton · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2008, 11:59:12 AM »

Way to go Frank!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2008, 01:56:04 PM »

Carlisle Tab sounds and looks great. Now if we can keep him from getting big headed now, otherwise may have to knock him down a notch or two. DOC Holliday

Robert McHam · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2008, 04:42:26 PM »

I was thinking the can of Raid was for debugging...

Frank, I think this really probably the best possible solution to locking a trim tab to a particular setting.
I have only used a metal wire or brass sheet to do the job and I might add does very well till the first time you bump it hard against something. Usually loading or unloading the planes is when/where it happens to me. Then you have to retrim again from memory

The only problem I foresee is the set screw getting loose at an awkward moment. This may not happen often but seems to happen at the most inconvenient of times for me.

Did you have to file the finish off the collar to be able the solder to stick? I say this because I have never tried to solder something to one before.

Robert

frank carlisle · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2008, 05:23:43 PM »

Yes, I did sand the finish off the wheel collar. I know what you mean about bumping the tab or the set screw coming loose seems like anything can fail. I've never had a wheel collar come off the axle so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Doc----no need to worry about me getting all big headed.

Randy----I'm watching for your pictures.

RandySmith · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:07:27 PM »

Quote from: frank carlisle on January 13, 2008, 05:23:43 PM

Yes, I did sand the finish off the wheel collar. I know what you mean about bumping the tab or the set screw coming loose seems like anything can fail. I've never had a wheel collar come off the axle so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Doc----no need to worry about me getting all big headed.

Randy----I'm watching for your pictures.

Hi Frank

This what mine looks like, as you can see from the photos up a few post it uses 1 hinge and 1 horny hinge point, the clevis lets you adjust the trim tab in precision increments of 128th of an inch at a time. just another way to do the same thing

Randy

frank carlisle · « **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:22:56 PM »

Thanks Randy..........A couple of the guys around here use your method. They built SVs.

frank carlisle · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:26:52 PM »

DEVICE D-E-V-I-C-E-

Randy Powell · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:45:34 PM »

Frank,

I did similar one, but not the same implementation. Mine had a piece of CF tube down the wing and you used a long "T" handled 3/32" hex wrench to set the tab. A screw went through an aluminum plate glued to the tab and into a chunk of hardwood with a "T" nut. Worked fine. I also had one that had a sort of circular aluminum plate on the tab and it swung through a hardwood block with a nut. There are lots of ways to attack this issue. The easiest with the most leverage is still the horn with the clevis setup shown above.

Dick Fowler · « **Reply #19 on:** January 13, 2008, 07:55:14 PM »

Quote from: frank carlisle on January 13, 2008, 07:26:52 PM

DEVICE D-E-V-I-C-E-

Hey Frank... there's always the edit button!

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #20 on:** January 13, 2008, 08:00:53 PM »

Congratulations Frank, very cool implementation. That could be adapted to an adjustable fixed rudder too. Probably other applications as well. It's getting filed in the back of my mind, who knows where it might show up?

--Ray