Patent classifications
B64C13/0423
AIRCRAFT AND CONTROL METHOD FOR SAME
An aircraft and a control method therefor. The aircraft has: a velocity acquisition unit that acquires the velocity of the aircraft; a roll angle calculation unit that calculates the roll angle of the aircraft; a turning radius calculation unit that calculates the turning radius of the aircraft on the basis of the velocity and the roll angle; and a yaw rate calculation unit that calculates the yaw rate of the aircraft on the basis of the velocity and the turning radius. A control unit controls flight of the aircraft on the basis of the roll angle and the yaw rate.
SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL AIRCRAFT ROLL OPERATIONS
Systems, methods, and apparatus to control aircraft roll operations are disclosed herein. An example system includes a control wheel position determiner to determine a control wheel position based on an input from a control wheel of the aircraft, a control wheel force determiner to determine a first control wheel force based on a sensor measurement, and a spoiler controller to map the control wheel position to a second control wheel force, the second control wheel force based on nominal characteristics of the aircraft, determine a first difference between the first control wheel force and the second control wheel force, and in response to determining that the first difference does not satisfy a threshold, move a flight control surface based on a third control wheel force, the third control wheel force based on a second difference between the first difference and the threshold.
Autopilot system, and related components and methods
A device for releasably mounting an autopilot control circuit to a flight control component of an aircraft, includes a frame that holds a component of an autopilot control circuit; a first coupler releasably fastened to the frame and operable to releasably mount the frame to the airframe of an aircraft; and a second coupler releasably fastened to the frame and operable to releasably mount the frame to a flight control component of the aircraft. When the device is releasably mounted in an aircraft's cabin and the autopilot control circuit is engaged, the autopilot control circuit controls an aspect of the aircraft's flight by moving the second coupler relative to the first coupler. With the device one can releasably mount an autopilot control circuit to an aircraft that does not have one and use the autopilot control circuit and device to control one or more aspects of the aircraft's flight. Then, after the flight is finished, one can remove the device and autopilot control circuit for use in another aircraft.
SMALL LIGHT VERTICAL TAKE-OFF AND LANDING CAPABLE DELTA WING AIRCRAFT
An aircraft having a frame assembly that supports a compressor having an outer shell that defines front and rear nozzle ports with rotatable nozzles for selectable vertical or horizontal thrust. The inner shell and the outer shell define an intake gap therebetween such as an annulus. A first fan unit within the inner shell and is configured to exhaust air through the front nozzle ports. A second fan unit within the outer shell intakes air through the intake gap and exhausts air through the rear nozzle ports. The fan units are preferably connected to one another via a drive shaft that is surrounded by a streamlining tube. The fan units each include a plurality of fans having stators therebetween. The stators have a plurality of stator arms with a wing structure pivotally attached to the trailing edge for angling air flow from a front to a rear fan.
Yoke interface mount
The embodiments are directed to an interface mount between a vehicle steering/control device and a mobile computer protective case. The interface mount has two sides. One side of the interface mount is attached to the vehicle steering/control device. The other side of the interface mount is attached to an AMPS hole pattern plate.
Aircraft hand controller with decoupled throttle
An aircraft hand controller is disclosed. The hand controller includes a set of finger controls on a single hand grip structure, the set of finger controls including a first finger control configured to control throttle of the aircraft and a second finger control, separate from the first, configured to control rotation about a first rotational axis of the aircraft.
MULTICOPTER
Provided is a multicopter providing a high level of freedom in compact design, and consuming a relatively small amount of energy. The multicopter (10) includes a machine body (12), an N number of first lift generators (30) arranged on a first concentric circle (C1) centered substantially around a gravitational center (G) of the machine body (12) and in a front part and a rear part of the machine body in a bilateral symmetry, and an M number of second lift generators (70) arranged on a second concentric circle (C2) centered substantially around the gravitational center (G) of the machine body (12) and having a larger diameter than the first concentric circle (C1), and in a front part and a rear part of the machine body (12) on a central axial line (X) extending in a fore and aft direction of the machine body (12), N being greater than M.
Method and apparatus for latent fault detection and management for fly-by-wire flight control systems
An aircraft control system includes pilot and co-pilot flight control systems that each include a first shaft mechanically coupled to and displaced apart from a second shaft, the shafts defining and being rotatable about independent longitudinal axes. A connecting link enables rotation of one of the first shafts to rotate a corresponding one of the second shafts. A position transducer is mechanically coupled to each shaft and configured to communicate an electrical signal corresponding to the rotation of the respective shaft. A flight control unit electrically communicates with the position transducers and is configured to (a) receive the electrical signal from each position transducer, (b) detect a failure of the flight control system by detecting differences in the position transducers' electrical signals, and (c) communicate the electrical signal from the position transducer to a flight control surface actuation system to compensate for the detected failure.
ADVANCED MISSION INTERACTION CONTROL YOKE FOR ADVANCED AUTOPILOTS OR AUTONOMOUS AIRCRAFT
An aircraft and a control yoke for operating the aircraft. The control yoke includes a base, a handle for manual operation of the aircraft, and a graphical communication device centered at the base for receiving a command from an operator and autonomously operating the aircraft according to the received command.
AERIAL VEHICLES AND CONTROL THEREFOR
A method for turning an aerial vehicle such as a drone-type vehicle is provided, according to one embodiment. The method provides for receiving a turning input and detecting a current momentum of the aerial vehicle. The method provides for converting the turning input into a yaw command and calculating a change in yaw associated with the turning input. The method provides for calculating a roll command based on the current momentum of the aerial vehicle and based on the change in yaw associated with the turning input. Further, the method provides for executing the yaw command and the roll command in synchrony, wherein the executing the yaw command and the roll command in synchrony causes the aerial vehicle to perform a turn.