Patent classifications
B64C27/56
Pitch and thrust control for tilt-rotor aircraft
A control circuitry includes a propulsor trim prediction circuitry and an output circuitry. The propulsor trim prediction circuitry is configured to generate a predicted proprotor nacelle trim value based on an aircraft velocity and a pitch attitude deviation from a reference. The output circuitry is configured to output a proprotor nacelle command based on the predicted proprotor nacelle trim value. The proprotor nacelle command is configured to cause an adjustment in a nacelle angle of a proprotor of an aircraft.
Pitch and thrust control for tilt-rotor aircraft
A control circuitry includes a propulsor trim prediction circuitry and an output circuitry. The propulsor trim prediction circuitry is configured to generate a predicted proprotor nacelle trim value based on an aircraft velocity and a pitch attitude deviation from a reference. The output circuitry is configured to output a proprotor nacelle command based on the predicted proprotor nacelle trim value. The proprotor nacelle command is configured to cause an adjustment in a nacelle angle of a proprotor of an aircraft.
Collective control system for a rotorcraft
The control system for attachment to a collective lever in a rotorcraft which comprises a body with an extended horn portion which is generally contoured to provide for a place to rest the palm and grip the collective lever at the end in the form of an open spherical grip as opposed to the more traditional cylindrical grip used to grasp the throttle and/or collective lever directly. The control system generally includes a plurality of controls which can be manipulated by any or all of the four fingers of the hand and the thumb without need to substantially move the palm. The collective lever can also be moved without having to remove the hand from the control system or the fingers or thumb from the controls.
Pitch and thrust control for compound aircraft
A control circuitry includes a propulsor trim prediction circuitry configured to generate a predicted propulsor collective blade pitch trim value for a target state of an aircraft based on an aircraft velocity and a pitch attitude deviation from a reference. The control circuitry further includes an output circuitry configured to output a propulsor collective blade pitch angle command based on the predicted propulsor collective blade pitch trim value. The propulsor collective blade pitch angle command is configured to cause an adjustment in a blade pitch angle of a propulsor of the aircraft. Additionally or alternatively, the control circuitry includes a pitch attitude trim prediction circuitry configured to generate a predicted pitch attitude trim value. The output circuitry is configured to output an aircraft pitch attitude trim command, configured to cause an adjustment in a pitch angle of the aircraft, based on the predicted pitch attitude trim value.
Pitch and thrust control for compound aircraft
A control circuitry includes a propulsor trim prediction circuitry configured to generate a predicted propulsor collective blade pitch trim value for a target state of an aircraft based on an aircraft velocity and a pitch attitude deviation from a reference. The control circuitry further includes an output circuitry configured to output a propulsor collective blade pitch angle command based on the predicted propulsor collective blade pitch trim value. The propulsor collective blade pitch angle command is configured to cause an adjustment in a blade pitch angle of a propulsor of the aircraft. Additionally or alternatively, the control circuitry includes a pitch attitude trim prediction circuitry configured to generate a predicted pitch attitude trim value. The output circuitry is configured to output an aircraft pitch attitude trim command, configured to cause an adjustment in a pitch angle of the aircraft, based on the predicted pitch attitude trim value.
FLIGHT CONTROL HANDLE AND A HYBRID ROTORCRAFT PROVIDED WITH A LIFT ROTOR AND WITH AT LEAST ONE PROPELLER PROPULSIVE ROTOR THAT GENERATES THRUST
A flight control handle suitable for being operated by a pilot, the flight control handle including a stick-forming grip carrying an end box that is provided with a hollow shell provided with a top face, at least one control projecting towards an external environment of the top face. The flight control handle has a controllable member suitable for being actuated by a person, the end box including at least one electronic wall incorporating an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit including at least one sensor that co-operates with the controllable member.
FLIGHT CONTROL HANDLE AND A HYBRID ROTORCRAFT PROVIDED WITH A LIFT ROTOR AND WITH AT LEAST ONE PROPELLER PROPULSIVE ROTOR THAT GENERATES THRUST
A flight control handle suitable for being operated by a pilot, the flight control handle including a stick-forming grip carrying an end box that is provided with a hollow shell provided with a top face, at least one control projecting towards an external environment of the top face. The flight control handle has a controllable member suitable for being actuated by a person, the end box including at least one electronic wall incorporating an electronic circuit, the electronic circuit including at least one sensor that co-operates with the controllable member.
Rotorcraft advanced autopilot control arrangement and methods
An autopilot system includes an actuator arrangement that receives control signals to influence the flight of the helicopter in a selected one of a plurality of different flight modes. A control stick input arrangement allows flight mode selection and control with no more than a particular one of the pilot's hands in the engaged position on the stick and without moving the hand away from the engaged position. A slaved gyro output signal is based on no more than the set of sensor outputs used by the autopilot such that an autopilot display presents autopilot flight mode information while displaying a slaved gyro output. The autopilot provides for pilot selection of one of a subset of the plurality of flight modes which is customized based on a current flight status of the helicopter. An automatic autorotation mode is provided.
AIRCRAFT CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
The unified command system and/or method includes an input mechanism, a flight processor that receives input from the input mechanism and translates the input into control output, and effectors that are actuated according to the control output. The system can optionally include: one or more sensors, a vehicle navigation system which determines a vehicle state and/or flight regime based on data from the one or more sensors, and a vehicle guidance system which determines a flightpath for the aircraft.
Magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus and control systems
A magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus comprises an input rotor adapted to be coupled to a power input, the input rotor having a first set of at least one input shear surface, and a second set of at least one output shear surface. An output rotor is rotatably mounted about the input rotor for rotating about a common axis with the input rotor, the output rotor having a first set of at least one output shear surface, and a second set of at least one output shear surface, the first sets of the input rotor and the output rotor separated by at least a first annular space and forming a first transmission set, the second sets of the input rotor and the output rotor separated by at least a second annular space and forming a second transmission set. Magnetorheological fluid is in each of the annular spaces, the MR fluid configured to generate a variable amount of torque transmission between the sets of input rotor and output rotor when subjected to a magnetic field. A pair of electromagnets are configured to deliver a magnetic field through the MR fluid, the electromagnets configured to vary the strength of the magnetic field, whereby actuation of at least one of the pair of electromagnets results in torque transmission from the at least one input rotor to the output rotor.