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Trim Screw Drive
http://t18.net/thorpforum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6298
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Author:  dickwolff [ Mon Sep 27, 2010 7:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Trim Screw Drive

I'm faced with rebuilding my trim mechanism. One of the problems is that my trim mechanism in the tail is not "geometrically compliant." ie I have a solid rod between two u-joints to drive the trim screw.

The drawings (A-701) show a flex shaft going from the bulkhead (STA 191.75) to the end of the trim screw. All of the pictures I've seen here on the forum show solid splined shafts (or square tubing) with U-joints at each and. The splined shafts are slick, but a flex shaft seems quick and easy to make up.

Are people experiencing problems with the flex shaft configuration?

Author:  Rich Brazell [ Mon Sep 27, 2010 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Trim Screw Drive

Research the recent NL editions. [:D] There are several good write-ups (w/pics) that detail a variety of gizmos that deal with that part of the trim. [;)]

That's why we publish the NL to use as a reference. [:0]

RB

Author:  Bill Williams [ Tue Sep 28, 2010 3:29 am ]
Post subject:  Trim Screw Drive

This is a trim Bob and I came up with. Look at the photo album, open up fytrplt album and look at images 007,008,009. We used a universal shaft from a RC model truck, TRAXXAS #5451X and #5458X yoke, a Graingers motor, 2L009, and micro switches from radio shack. The wiring diagram is in my photo album. The flex shaft "IS" a must. As destortion will occur at this point.

Image


Image


Image

Author:  Stephen Peirce [ Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:15 am ]
Post subject:  Trim Screw Drive

The trim yoke pitches fore and aft therefore the shaft/ torque tube must slide/move fore and aft also . If you follow what Bill Williams has posted it's pretty straight foward. I found all the parts locally and used his wiring diagram that was posted with his pictures. I'm currently building the system up right now.

Author:  Rich Brazell [ Fri Oct 08, 2010 8:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Trim Screw Drive

Not a flex shaft per the drawings, but I know of one builder that used and is currently flying with a graphite "fishing rod!" [8D] Wants to make a low pass over every lake in SOCAL. [:p]

RB

Author:  admin [ Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Trim Screw Drive

NO the yoke has a different diameter, .312 and is keyed with flat sides. I turned the shaft to .312 and filed flat sides on the shaft.

*** admin posted for Bill Williams ***

Author:  stug [ Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trim Screw Drive

I have a jack screw out of an old project and the limit stop nuts have been set up to limit travel to 5 turns. I note that the plans call for 5.4 turns.
Those that have more experience might be able to tell me how much of an issue that missing .4 of a turn is going to be in the air? Is it worth fixing?

Author:  Rich Brazell [ Mon Mar 19, 2012 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trim Screw Drive

If it's out of the airplane why not adjust it to the 5.4 ? I really don't think you would notice the .4 either way ? There probably has to be a +/- factor of .2 ? If it were me I would adjust it to 5.5 to make the math easy ! ::) My math always adds up to Naught from Naught is Naught ! ;)

RB

Author:  bfinney [ Mon Mar 19, 2012 11:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Trim Screw Drive

My trim system is 5 turns lock to lock, its been flying like that for 40 years as far as I can tell, no entries in the logs to the contrary. I've not had a problem with running out of trim.

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