B737 Throttle Quadrant - Speedbrake Conversion and Use — Flaps 2 Approach

oem 737-500 throttle quarant speed brake lever

The speedbrake serves three purposes: to slow the aircraft in flight (by incurring drag), to slow the aircraft immediately upon landing, and to assist in the stopping of the aircraft during a Rejected Takeoff (RTO).

There are four speedbrake settings: Down (detent), Armed, Flight Detent and Up.

In addition, there are three speedbrake condition annunciators (lights), located on the Main Instrument Panel (MIP), that annunciate speedbrake protocol. They are: Speedbrake Armed, Speedbrakes Do Not Arm and Speedbrakes Extended. These annunciators (lights) illuminate when certain operating conditions are triggered.

This article is rather long as I've attempted to cover quite a bit of ground. The first part of the post relates to technical aspects while the second portion deals with conversion. Hopefully, the video at the end of this post will help to clarify what I have written.

Technical Information

Speedbrakes consist of flight spoilers and ground spoilers. The speedbrake lever controls a 'spoiler mixer', which positions the flight spoiler power control unit (PCU) and a ground spoiler control valve. The surfaces are actuated by hydraulic power supplied to the power control units or to actuators on each surface.

Ground spoilers operate only on the ground, due to a ground spoiler shutoff valve which remains closed until the main gear strut compresses on touchdown (this is activated by the squat switch).

In Flight Operation

Actuation of the speedbrake lever causes all flight spoiler panels to rise symmetrically to act as speedbrakes. The lever can be raised partly or fully to the UP position. This causes the extension of the flight spoilers to the equivalent full up (ground spoiler) position.

Ground Operation

All flight and ground spoilers automatically rise to full extension on landing, if the speedbrake lever is in the ARMED position and both throttle thrust levers are in IDLE. When spin-up occurs on any two main wheels, the speedbrake lever moves to the UP position, and the spoilers extend.

When the right main landing gear shock strut is compressed, a mechanical linkage opens a hydraulic valve to extend the ground spoilers. If a wheel spin-up signal is not detected, the speed brake lever moves to the UP position, and all spoiler panels deploy automatically after the ground safety sensor engages in the ground mode.

After touchdown, all spoiler panels retract automatically if either throttle thrust lever is advanced. The speedbrake lever will move to the DOWN detent.

All spoiler panels will extend automatically if takeoff is rejected (RTO) and either reverse thrust lever is positioned for reverse thrust. Wheel speed must be above 80 knots in order for the automatic extension of the spoilers to take place.

A failure in the automatic functions of the speedbrakes is indicated by the illumination of the SPEEDBRAKE DO NOT ARM Light. In the event the automatic system is inoperative, the speed brake lever must be selected manually placed in the UP position after landing by the pilot not flying.

Movement of Speedbrake Lever

The logic relating to the position of the speedbrake lever is:

DOWN (detent)

All flight and ground spoiler panels are in the closed position.

ARMED

Automatic speedbrake system armed.

Upon touchdown and activation of the squat switch, the speedbrake lever moves to the UP position and all flight and ground spoilers are deployed.

FLIGHT DETENT

All flight spoilers are extended to their maximum position for inflight use.

All flight and ground spoilers are extended to their maximum position for ground use.

Illumination of Speedbrake Condition Annunciators (korrys)

The logic relating to the illumination of the annunciator condition lights is:

Speedbrake Armed Annunciator

The light will not illuminate when the speedbrake lever is in the DOWN position.
The light illuminates green when the speedbrake is armed with valid automatic system inputs.

Speedbrake Do Not Arm Annunciator

The light will not illuminate when the speedbrake lever is in the DOWN position.
The light indicates AMBER if there is a problem (abnormal condition).
The light will illuminate during the landing roll following through 64 KIAS provided the speedbrake lever has not been stowed. The light will extinguish when the aircraft stops or when the speedbrake lever is stowed.

Speedbrakes Extended Light

The annunciator illuminates AMBER pursuant to the following conditions.

In Flight

Amber light illuminates if speedbrake lever is positioned beyond the ARMED position, and
TE flaps are extended more than flaps 10, or
Aircraft has a radio altitude (RA) of less than 800 feet .

On The Ground

Amber light if the speedbrake is in the DOWN (detent) position.
Amber light if the ground spoilers are not stowed.

It is important to remember that the speedbrakes extended annunciator will not illuminate when the hydraulic systems A pressure is less than 750 psi.

Simulator Operation - What Works

Rejected Take Off (RTO) after 80 knots called - Activation of either reverse thrust lever and throttle to idle will extend spoilers (if RTO armed). Lever moves to UP position on throttle quadrant.
Spoilers extend on landing when squat switch activated, throttles are at idle and lever is in armed position (3 requirements). Lever moves to UP position on throttle quadrant automatically.
Spoilers extend automatically when reverse thrust is applied (if not previously armed - see above).
Engaging thrust after landing automatically closes spoilers. Lever moves to DOWN position on throttle quadrant.
Speedbrakes extend incrementally in air dependent upon lever position (flight detente).

Speedbrake Logic - Alpha Quadrant Card and Closed-loop System

The logic for the speedbrake is identical to that found in the real Boeing aircraft and is 'hardwired' into the Alpha Quadrant card. This card is located in the Interface Master Module (IMM) and is connected to the throttle quadrant by a custom-wired VGA cable. Programming the Alpha Quadrant card is by stand-alone software.

The speedbrake system is a closed-loop system, meaning it does not require any interaction with the ProSim737; however, the illumination of the korry condition lights are not part of this system and therefore, require configuration in ProSim737 (a future update may include the condition korrys within the system).

Conversion

A common method to convert the speedbrake is to use a potentiometer and then calibrate using FSUIPC (Flight Simulator Universal Inter-Process Communication). Whilst this method is valid, it relies very much on FSUIPC to determine the accuracy of the visual position of the speedbrake lever. The longevity of the system also very much depends upon the potentiometer used, its +- variance at time of manufacture and its cleanliness. I wanted to move away from a potentiometer and FSUIPC and develop a more reliable and robust system.

Micro-buttons Replace Potentimeter

In the real Boeing 737 aircraft, a number of buttons reside beneath the arc that the speedbrake travels along. As the speedbrake lever moves accross a button a condition is set. If you slowly move the speedbrake level, and listen carefully, you can hear the switch activate as the lever moves over it.

This system has been replicated as closely as possible, by attaching a series of micro-buttons to a half-moon shaped arc made from aluminum. The arc is installed directly beneath the speedbrake lever’s range of movement. There are six micro-buttons installed and each button corresponds with the exact point that a function will be activated when the speedbrake lever moves over the button.

The benefit of using buttons rather than a potentiometer is accuracy and reliability. A button is on or off and there is little variance. A potentiometer on the other hand has considerable variance in both accuracy and reliability.

In addition to the micro-buttons, there are two on/off buttons (read below) located on the forward bulkhead that control the arming of the speedbrake lever.

Relay Card

The micro-buttons are then connected to a Phidget 0/0/8 relay card (4 relays) that, depending upon the position of the speedbrake lever, turn on or off the programmed speedbrake logic. The Phidget 0/0/8 relay card is located in the Interface Master Module (IMM).

Basically, the system is a mechanical circuit controlled by micro switches that reads logic programmed into the Alpha Quadrant cards. Because it’s a closed mechanical loop system, logic from the avionics suite (ProSim737) is not required. Nor, is calibration by FSUPIC.

Arming the Speedbrake - The Detail

To arm the speedbrake, two micro-buttons, located forward of the throttle bulkhead and attached to a solid piece of metal are used. Connecting the lower end of the speedbrake lever to the clutch assembly is a green coloured rod. The rod is the linkage that moves the speedbrake lever. Adjacent to this rod is a cylinder made from aluminum used to open or close the arming circuit.

As the speedbrake lever is brought into the arm position, the cylinder is moved until it touches either of the arming on/off button-switches.

The cylinder will stay in the armed position until voltage is provided to the motor to move the speedbrake lever, which in turn moves the rod and cylinder.

Power is sent to the motor in only two circumstances: when the aircraft lands and the squat switch is activated, or during a Rejected Takeoff (RTO).

The motor powering the movement of the lever is the angled motor. The two arming button switches can be seen, one is red the other black, while the rod, clutch assembly and cylinder can easily be identified.

Motor

Most enthusiasts use a servo motor to control the movement of the speedbrake lever. I used a servo motor on my first TQ and was never satisfied at the speed the lever moved; it was always VERY slow and seemed to lack consistent power.

In this conversion a DC electric motor, previously used to automobile power electric windows was used. The advantage in using a motor of this type is its small size, strong build quality and high torque output. This translates to more than enough power to mobilize the speedbrake lever. The motor is mounted to the front of the throttle bulkhead.

Clutch Assembly

The purpose of the clutch is to enable the movement of the motor’s internal shaft to be transferred to the rod which moves the speedbrake lever. The clutch is fitted with a synthetic washer and a torque nut either loosens or tightens the clutch to either increase or decrease the drag pressure on the speedbrake lever (see photograph).

Speedbrake Lever Movement - Variable Voltage to Control Speed

The speedbrake lever in the real B737 moves rather slowly when the lever is powered. Traditionally, this slow movement has been cumbersome to replicate; the movement of the lever either being too slow or too fast.

Below is a short video showing the speed that the speedbrake lever moves on a real Boeing 737-800 (courtesy & copyright to 737maint U-Tube). Apologies for the adverts which I can not remove from the embed code.

Altering the Speed of Lever Movement

You will note that the lever movement is speed-controlled in both directions (forward and aft). Whilst controlling the speed of the lever during landing is relatively easy, controlling the speed of the lever as it is stowed (down) is more difficult. At this time I have not attempted to control the later speed.

Variable Voltage - 12 Volts

If you provide 12 volts directly to the motor, the lever will move very fast in a movement I have coined the 'biscuit cutter'. However, if you lower the voltage that is provided to the motor, the speed of the lever will slow. The crux of the issue is if you provide a voltage that is too low the lever will not move and if the voltage is too high you have a 'biscuit cutter'. There has to be enough voltage for the motor to provide power to start the movement of the lever and rod. Further, the power must be strong enough to be able to push the cylinder past the on/off switch when the speedbrake is armed and deployed (down), or is being closed (up) when throttles are advanced (after touchdown).

Two Methods & Troubleshooting Potential Problems

I examined two methods to reduce the speed of the lever movement.

The first method uses a commercially manufactured reducer to lower the voltage, to a level that allows the lever to move more slowly than if full voltage was supplied to the motor. This is the more expensive, but probably the better method to use, as you know exactly what voltage the motor is receiving after the reducer is connected. Reducers can be purchased that reduce voltage by a known amount.

The second method takes advantage of voltage-reducing diodes and resisters to minimize the voltage coming directly from the relay card (the power connects directly to the relay card). Although simplistic and less expensive than a reducer, it can be troublesome to determine the correct voltage reduction after the diodes or resisters are installed.

As stated above, 'too little voltage and the lever will not move or move at a snail’s pace; too fast and your cutting biscuits… '

Although diodes and resisters were used, I believe using a reducer is probably more effective. Using the former method involves educated 'guesswork' to how much voltage is needed to start the movement of the lever. I believe a reducer may provide a more measurable approach.

The speed that the lever moves is not 'perfect', but is adequate in comparison to the speed that the lever moves in the real aircraft. I'd like to implement the correct noise that can be heard when the speedbrake is moving. The noise (heard in the above video) emanates from the hydraulic actuator that pushes the lever mechanism.

Illumination of Speedbrake Condition Annunciators (korrys) on MIP

As outlined earlier, there are specific operational conditions that dictate the illumination of annunciators on the Main Instrument Panel.

It’s not difficult to connect the condition lights on the MIP, to the actual position that the speedbrake lever is in. To do so requires re-routing the wiring from the lights so that they illuminate at the correct setting as determined by the on/off micro buttons. Connecting the condition lights completes the speedbrake circuit (movement and illumination) in a closed system separate to the avionics suite.

At the moment this has not been done. As such, the movement of the lever is a closed system and the illumination of condition lights is dictated by ProSim737.

Power Supply

The speedbrake motor is powered by a Meanwell S150 12 Volt 12.5 amp power supply.

Below is a video showing the movement and speed of the speedbrake lever. The video also shows how the mechanism operates. Disregard the lack of a lower display unit and the GoFlight panel. The later is for testing purposes until I have installed a fully functional overhead panel.

737 throttle speedbrake movement test

Update

on 2020-07-11 09:55 by FLAPS 2 APPROACH

In June 2015 the speedbrake mechanism was changed to a mechanical system that is more reliable and provides a consistent output (works every time).

The changes and improvements to the system can be read in this article: Throttle Quadrant Rebuild: Speedbrake Motor and Clutch Assembly Replacement .