The present invention relates to a force application device for a control stick of an aircraft comprising a shaft and a control lever configured to rotate the shaft about a first axis, the device comprising: a magnetic brake comprising a braking part configured to be connected to the shaft, and a volume containing a rheological fluid in contact with the braking part, of variable shear resistance as a function of a magnetic field applied to the rheological fluid, a force feedback motor configured to exert a resistive force opposing the rotation of the shaft about the first axis, a motor power source, a movable magnetic element biased towards a position close to the magnetic brake, and distancing means configured to maintain the movable magnetic element in a position away from the magnetic brake, when such distancing means are powered by the power source.

A flight control computer (FCC) for a rotorcraft includes a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by the processor, with the program including instructions for providing main rotor overspeed protection. The instructions for providing the main rotor overspeed protection include instructions for monitoring sensor signals indicating a main rotor RPM, determining a target operating parameter, determining one or more flight parameters in response to a relationship between the main rotor RPM and the target operating parameter indicating a main rotor overspeed condition. Determining the one or more flight parameters includes determining a setting for a flight control device of the rotorcraft that changes the main rotor RPM, controlling positioning of a pilot control according to the flight parameters, and controlling the flight control device of the rotorcraft according to positioning of the pilot control.

The present invention relates to a force application device for a control stick of an aircraft comprising a shaft and a control lever configured to rotate the shaft about a first axis, the device comprising: a magnetic brake comprising a braking part configured to be connected to the shaft, and a volume containing a rheological fluid in contact with the braking part, of variable shear resistance as a function of a magnetic field applied to the rheological fluid, a force feedback motor configured to exert a resistive force opposing the rotation of the shaft about the first axis, a motor power source, a movable magnetic element biased towards a position close to the magnetic brake, and distancing means configured to maintain the movable magnetic element in a position away from the magnetic brake, when such distancing means are powered by the power source.

In one or more embodiments, a method for providing continuously variable feel forces for an aircraft comprises sensing, by each of at least one sensor associated with at least one aircraft control, a force sensor value. The method further comprises determining a net force value by using the force sensor value for each of at least one sensor. Also, the method comprises comparing the net force value to a desired breakout force. In addition, the method comprises determining whether the net force value exceeds the desired breakout force. Additionally, the method comprises determining an adjusted force value by using the desired breakout force and the net force value, when the net force value exceeds the desired breakout force. Also, the method comprises determining an actuator torque command based on the adjusted force value. Further, the method comprises commanding an autopilot actuator with the actuator torque command to apply torque.

A compact electromechanical decoupler device is operatively connected between a manual control device of an aircraft and an electromechanical actuator that controls the flight modes of the aircraft. The electromechanical decoupler device is operable to decouple the operative connection between the manual control device and the electromechanical actuator with the absence of power supplied to the electromechanical decoupler device. The electromechanical decoupler device can recouple the operative connection between the manual control device and the electromechanical actuator on resupply of power to the electromechanical decoupler device and on manually achieving proper rotational alignment or indexing between the mechanical control device and the electromechanical actuator.

A hybrid fly/drive vehicle capable of being converted between a flying mode in which it is capable of flying in air and a road riding mode in which it is capable of driving on a road in normal traffic, includes an arrangement to allow the engine to be pedal-controlled in road riding mode and lever-controlled in flying mode, and further includes pedals for engine control and possibly clutch actuation in road riding mode and for rudder control in flying mode, which pedals also actuate the brakes in flying mode.

In one or more embodiments, a method for providing continuously variable feel forces for an aircraft comprises sensing, by each of at least one sensor associated with at least one aircraft control, a force sensor value. The method further comprises determining a net force value by using the force sensor value for each of at least one sensor. Also, the method comprises comparing the net force value to a desired breakout force. In addition, the method comprises determining whether the net force value exceeds the desired breakout force. Additionally, the method comprises determining an adjusted force value by using the desired breakout force and the net force value, when the net force value exceeds the desired breakout force. Also, the method comprises determining an actuator torque command based on the adjusted force value. Further, the method comprises commanding an autopilot actuator with the actuator torque command to apply torque.

A vehicle control system for controlling a vehicle and to a method of operating such a vehicle control system. The vehicle control system may include an inceptor adapted for controlling a servo-assisted control unit via a mechanical linkage, first and second force generating devices that are mechanically connected to the inceptor in parallel and provided for generating respective first and second forces that act in operation on the inceptor, a hands-on/off detection management unit, and a decoupling device that mechanically decouples the second force generating device from the inceptor based on a control signal from the hands-on/off detection management unit.

Systems and methods for compactly mounted cyclic flight control for a rotorcraft. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes a stick base assembly coupled with a cyclic stick and configured to rotate with respect to a mounting frame to control a pitch and a roll of the rotorcraft. A cyclic housing is pivotably coupled with the mounting frame for rotation about a pitch axis to control pitch, and coupled with a pitch actuator having a pitch force sensor to measure its resistance to rotation. The cyclic housing supports the stick base assembly for independent rotation of the stick base assembly about a roll axis to control roll, and the stick base assembly couples with a roll actuator having a roll force sensor to measure its resistance to rotation.

An interconnected flight controller for an aircraft includes a mechanical linkage connecting a pilot interface with a copilot interface. When an input is provided to either of the pilot or copilot interfaces, coordinated motion is provided between them of a proportional magnitude and direction. A mechanical-disconnect element within the mechanical linkage is adapted to actuate mechanical decoupling between the pilot interface and the copilot interface. One or more sensors is coupled to the mechanical linkage to sense inputs and communicate the inputs to a fly-by-wire flight controller. An autopilot servo is coupled to the mechanical linkage for providing autopilot control or feedback and a force-feedback subsystem is connected to the mechanical linkage to simulate and apply an opposing force of aircraft control surfaces to the pilot interface and the copilot interface.