Elevator Tube sealing

[GlennBob]

Gentlemen ! !

Anybody got any great ideas for sealing the elevator tubes ?   Trying to keep the cockpit warm in the winter. I was thinking of fastening a disc to the tube (inside) and have it rub against a plate on the outside.  The tubes don't just rotate, they're off - center so they move forward and aft.  This makes it a little more tricky.

Glennbob.

[A. Bruce Hughes]

Hi GlennBob

I don't have the articles in hand as they are in the shop but see if you can
get copies of the CSA newsletters from 2007.   See Jan. page 29 by Schubert
and April, page 20 by Crouch/Schubert and April page 21 by Ugolini.   All 3
are for the GU canard.     I plan to do the job for my Longeze as soon as I
have time.

Bruce Hughes 

[Drew]

You could modify the mechanism to be like the Cozy.

[GlennBob]

Drew,

What's involved in modifying the mechanism to be like the cozy ?  I'm not sure what the difference is.  Is it a big job ?   Would it be easier / faster to do it like Mr. Hughes says from the newsletter ?

Glennbob.

[Drew]

Go to this site:

http://www.cozygirrrl.com/aircraftparts.htm

You are looking for the Torque Tube Offset.  The problem with the Longez torque tube, is that the tube scribes an arc which requires a rather large hole.  The offset shifts everything so that it rotates only with no arc.  This is a standard Cozy part----and Cozygirrrls sell it for the Longez as an alternative part.



Here is the text---go to the site to see the picture:

MKNC-12A Left/1010 Torque Tube Offset, Left
Location: /Long-ez Alternative Parts/Chapter 11 Elevator Assy
Price: $160.00 (left and right required)
Product Information: 4130-N steel weldment. For Cozy & Long-Ez While not a "per plans" part in the Long-Ez, these parts solve the serious draft problem in the Long-Ez where the eccentric moving elevator torque tubes come through the fuselage walls. This is accomplished by shifting a portion of the mechanism to be concentric with the hinge axis.
Value Added Features: This part has traditionally been made up of six individual parts welded together, we have reduced this to four CNC machined and laser cut parts. These are then TIG welded in a precision fixture and cadmium plated.

[A. Bruce Hughes]

Hi Guys

If you have a GU canard, you still will have to use the information in the CSA
newsletters referred to above.   I asked, by email, about the parts that the
Cozygirrrls make.  This is the reply:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Bruce,
 
None of the parts for the Roncz canard are usable on the GU canard. 
Unfortunately we do not make any GU compatible parts.
 
Regards, Chrissi
 
CG Products,  Custom Aircraft Hardware
www.CozyGirrrl.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi  Chrissi

Your parts listing includes the following:
----------------------------------------------------
MKNC-12A  Left/1010 Torque Tube Offset, Left
Location: /Long-ez Alternative  Parts/Chapter 11 Elevator Assmbly
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Do these parts work on the GU type canard?   I have  the
original plans version of the Longeze.

Thank you very much.

Bruce  Hughes   

[Drew]

Bruce---good catch---thx

[Hmanvel]

GlennBob, If you are trying to seal the elevators on an existing airframe, you might try making leather boots which velcro around the openings, three sides velcro to the sidewall, the forward side open for the pushrod.  I used a soft leather material and it sealed out the air pretty good.  Next best thing to having the Cozy setup.

[GlennBob]

Drew,

Hey ! !   Very interesting idea of shifting the pivot point back to the hinge pivot point ! !   Great idea !!  I'm a little too tight to spend the $320.00 the Cozy Girls are asking, . .but hey, . .might be something to look into.  I have the Ronz canard so I should be ok there. 

Harry,  Thanks for the leather boot idea.  I'm still kickin' around what to do but I must do something cause I know I'll loose a lot of heat there.

Thanks guys !

Glennbob

[GlennBob]

Look for my final " approach " to this problem.  I have some ideas perculatin'. 

I'll post pics when I finish ! !   (if I finish ! )

Glennbob