Trust in our long pedigree and design experience

Our throttle quadrants are custom designed and tested for each application. Our history with this product began in the 1940s on the F-86 and later the F-100 in the 1950s.  We have since supported commuter aircraft, executive aircraft and helicopters with our throttle quadrant designs.  Special applications have included the US Navy PHM, the Boeing Jet Foil, the US Navy LCAC and the USMC LVTP-7 (gear section quadrant).

The Adams Rite Advantage
Our controls fly on a wide variety of platforms including the C-130J, AH-64 and the Boeing 777.  All designs utilize many of our proprietary design features and consider ergonomics, output, durability, reliability, maintainability, weight and the environment.

Mechanical

Electro-mechanical

FBW with Mechanical Back-Up

Completely FBW

Product Features

Ergonomics – Must feel right

  • Knob size (shape fairly standard per FARs)
  • Go-around switch location
  • Friction (wheel, lever, or constant, materials)
  • Detent type (lift buttons/knobs, lift lever, push to side) to side)
  • Power/condition lever length
  • Reverse method ((T/R or reverse ppp)rop.)
  • Visual position indicators (engraving, edge-lighted panel – NVG compatible)

Durability

  • Housing (typically rubber mold casting) strength to provide mounting/load path for all components
  • Levers (machined, square tube)
  • Knob material properties (Typically composite Molded or Knob material  properties (Typically composite. Molded or machined. Good thermal properties, degradation resistant, Material strength for mounting inserts and constant use)
  • Switch selection criteria (cycles rating contact type) Switch selection criteria  cycles, rating, contact type)
  • Switch bank actuation mechanism
  • RVDT/Potentiometer life
  • Friction material life

Output 

  • Mechanical through clevis to push-pull rods or cables (must maximize mechanical advantage and minimize system friction)
  • Electro-mechanical (switch banks for discreet position signals, not FBW) through rods, cables and connectors
  • FBW w/ Mechanical Back-up (must synchronize) mechanical output and electronic signal)
  • FBW – Potentiometers, RVDTs. (Must consider Potentiometers, RVDTs. (Must  consider tolerances, application, redundancy)

Reliability and Maintainability 

  • Past design experience used to meet customer specification.
  • MTBF, MTBUR MTBUR
  • Met by choice of materials, switches and design/interface of dynamic components
  • Plug & Play TQA for easy installation/rigging/removal
  • Optimize on previous design experience Optimize on previous design  experience
  • Modular assembly
  • Minimize need for special tools
  • ATP equipment specific to product

Weight

  • Always a balance between operational requirements functional requirements and requirements, functional requirements and environmental requirements
  • Goal is maximum strength minimum weight Goal is maximum strength,  minimum weight
  • Some flexibility with castings (style, wall-thickness) and materials

Environmental Considerations

  • Military (stringent for operational exposure)
  • Commercial (stringent for dispatch rate)
  • General Aviation (stringent for dispatch rate)
  • Helicopter (vibration)
  • Installation location
    • Protected cockpit Protected cockpit
    • Will not be used as a step?

Downloads

Adams Rite Hardware & Controls Brochure

#69012 Business Jet pedestal-mounted control console datasheet