Did Anyone Ever Use Hydraulics for Rotor Control?

[jcarleto]

I figure that with something as light as gyro controls, that hydraulics is probably overkill and over-complication. But, in thinking about it, I had to ask. Anyone ever tried it? Did it work? Was it a terrible idea or a great idea?

*JC*

[C. Beaty]

I’ve seen one gyro that used hydraulic cylinders instead of pushrods to tilt the rotorhead.

Large helicopters use the equivalent of power steering to control the swashplate.

[John Stahl]

How about push pull cables/rods?

[C. Beaty]

The Littlewing, among others, uses push-pull cables.

[Al_Hammer]

The push-pull cables can be controlled with a "Morse mixer" arrangement as shown here.

[BigBen]

Al.
Do you have more/better photos and sketches for this device?

[Racer]

The UFO helithruster has push pull cables that control the rotorhead.

[C. Beaty]

What in the World is that apparatus, Al?

Could it be a device by the late BJ Schramm? He seemed to be very fond of Morse cables, using one for collective in the very first Scorpion.

Someone once told me a story about the Morse cable on his Scorpion developing a whipping motion that made it feel like a rattletrap car going down a washboard road. I have no idea of the story’s veracity.

[Al_Hammer]

Ben, that's the only picture I've got, sorry to say.

Chuck, I can't recall where the picture came from. Its been a few years since it was first posted on one of the forums. Pretty sure its not one of BJ's devices.

[John Stahl]

I could use more info on the type of push pull cables. where to get them. and any thing elts that would help

[Racer]

John, the push pull cables on the UFO were the same that boats use for the steering. May check boat part suppliers

[John Stahl]

I just found a company that will build them right here in town.

[Janusz]

In the Czech Sky Walker are also cables.

Janusz

[karlbamforth]

Any more views of the sky walker ?

Whats the big cable for ?

My guess is its got a big parachute at the other end of it.

[CLS447]

The big cable is to get tangled around the rotorhead so that the blades stop in-flight. for very quick unplanned landings !!!!!!!!

Can't they add some more stuff up there ?????