Automatic flight controller, aircraft cockpit, method for operating and automatic flight controller and computer program

Abstract

The invention concerns an automatic flight controller with operating elements, by means of which target settings of the automatic flight controller can be set by an operator, and with display elements for data display, wherein the display elements comprise at least two mutually separate displays that are disposed on the front, for example a front panel, of the automatic flight controller, wherein a) the at least two mutually separate displays are high resolution graphical displays and/or b) the automatic flight controller is designed to display all operating mode awareness-relevant parameters of the automatic flight controller on one or more of the at least two mutually separate displays of the automatic flight controller.

The invention further concerns an aircraft cockpit with such an automatic flight controller as well as a method for operating a flight controller. The invention also concerns a computer program for carrying out the method

Claims

1. Automatic flight controller, comprising: operating elements for setting target settings; display elements for data display, wherein the display elements comprise at least two mutually separate displays that are disposed on a front of the automatic flight controller, wherein the automatic flight controller is designed to display one, several or all of mode awareness-relevant parameters set forth below on one or more of the at least two mutually separate displays of the automatic flight controller a) transition conditions between operating modes of the automatic flight controller, b) control behavior of the automatic flight controller for achieving set target values, c) possible interactions of a selected operating mode of the automatic flight controller with other operating modes of the automatic flight controller that can be selected.

2. The automatic flight controller according to claim 1, wherein the operating elements comprise at least one display operating element, by the actuation of which at least some display contents of a display of the at least two mutually separate displays can be moved to another display of the at least two mutually separate displays.

3. The automatic flight controller according to claim 1 wherein the at least two mutually separate displays each comprise an image diagonal of at least 4 inches.

4. Aircraft cockpit with at least one automatic flight controller, wherein the at least one automatic flight controller comprises operating elements for setting target settings; display elements for data display, wherein the display elements comprise at least two mutually separate displays that are disposed on a front of the automatic flight controller, wherein the automatic flight controller is designed to display one, several or all of mode awareness-relevant parameters set forth below on one or more of the at least two mutually separate displays of the automatic flight controller transition conditions between operating modes of the automatic flight controller, control behavior of the automatic flight controller for achieving set target values, possible interactions of a selected operating mode of the automatic flight controller with other operating modes of the automatic flight controller that can be selected.

5. The aircraft cockpit according to claim 4, wherein the at least one automatic flight controller is integrated at least in part within a glare shield of the aircraft cockpit.

6. A method for operating an automatic flight controller, wherein information about an operating mode of the automatic flight controller is displayed on at least one image display device in an aircraft cockpit in order to bring about a mode awareness of a pilot for safe operation of an aircraft with the automatic flight controller activated, comprising the step of displaying one, several or all of mode awareness-relevant parameters set forth below on the at least one image display device: a) transition conditions between operating modes of the automatic flight controller, b) control behavior of the automatic flight controller for achieving set target values, c) possible interactions of a selected operating mode of the automatic flight controller with other operating modes of the automatic flight controller that can be selected.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein at least one display element of the automatic flight controller is used as the at least one an image display device on which the one, several or all of the mode awareness-relevant parameters are displayed.

8. The method according to claim 6 wherein all mode awareness-relevant parameters are displayed on one or more display elements of the at least one image display device.

9. The method of claim 6 further comprising actuating at least one display operating element of the automatic flight controller, to preview one or more of the mode awareness-relevant parameters.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein by actuating the at least one display operating element of the automatic flight controller, at least some display contents of a display element of the automatic flight controller are moved to another display element of the automatic flight controller.

11. The method according to claim 6 wherein the at least one mode awareness-relevant parameter is displayed at different fixed positions on the at least one image display device depending on whether a flying state of the aircraft changes positively, changes negatively or remains the same for the at least mode awareness-relevant parameter.

12. The method according to claim 6 wherein the at least one mode awareness-relevant parameter is displayed at different fixed positions of the at least one image display device depending on whether a target value associated with the at least one mode awareness-relevant parameter has been determined by the pilot or automatically based on a programmed flying route.

13. The method according to claim 6 wherein the at least one mode awareness-relevant parameter is displayed in different colors on the at least one image display device depending on whether current values or future predicted values of said parameter are being displayed.

14. The method according to claim 6 further comprising actuating at least one display operating element of the automatic flight controller to display, predicted values of the at least one mode awareness-relevant parameter on the at least one image display device.

15. The method according to claim 15 wherein by actuating the at least one display operating element of the automatic flight controller, the predicted values can be switched back and forth between different preview levels.

16. Computer program with program code means, designed to carry out a method according to claim 6 that is executed on a computer.

Description

[0040] The invention is described below using exemplary embodiments and drawings.

[0041] In the figures:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows an aircraft cockpit according to a first embodiment and

[0043] FIG. 2 shows an aircraft cockpit according to a second embodiment and

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a view of the front of an automatic flight controller and

[0045] FIG. 4 shows the automatic flight controller according to FIG. 3 in operation.

[0046] In the figures, the same reference characters are used for mutually corresponding elements.

[0047] The cockpit represented in FIG. 1 comprises a lower instrument region 3 and above this an upper instrument region 2 that is integrated within the glare shield. In the lower instrument region 3 there is the captain's primary flight display 11 in addition to the captain's navigation display 12. In the right region are disposed the first officer's primary flight display 21 and the first officer's navigation display 22. In the central region in the lower instrument region 3, there are an engine display 14, beneath this a multifunction display 15, a gear lever 16 and the standby instruments 19.

[0048] In the upper instrument region 2, the captain's Attention Getter Panel 13 is disposed on the left, the captain's EFIS Control Panel 18 next to it on the right. On the right are the first officer's Attention Getter Panel 23 and the first officer's EFIS Control Panel 28 in a mirror symmetrical arrangement. The automatic flight controller 1, at least in terms of the operating elements and display elements thereof, is disposed on the front 10 centrally between the above. Other parts of the automatic flight controller can also be disposed at other positions in the aircraft, in particular not in the cockpit. At least one display element 4 and various operating elements 5 are disposed on the front 10, for example for setting the target values flying altitude, flight direction, flying speed and similar. The set target values of the automatic flight controller can, at least in part, be displayed on the display element 4.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a cockpit that is improved compared to FIG. 1, in which in particular improvements regarding the display and the operation of the automatic flight controller 1 are present. The remaining elements described using FIG. 1 are implemented in the same way in FIG. 2.

[0050] It can be seen that in FIG. 2 there are three mutually separate displays 41, 42, 43 as display elements 4. With this the display space is significantly expanded compared to the first embodiment. The automatic flight controller according to FIG. 2 comprises still more operating elements 5 on the front 10 that will be described below using the enlarged display of the front 10 according to FIG. 3.

[0051] As can be seen in FIG. 3, a Last operating element 51, a Next operating element 52 and an Outlook operating element 53 are present as additional operating elements of the automatic flight controller that were not present with the embodiment of FIG. 1, for example in the form of buttons. The operating elements 51, 52, 53 are additional display operating elements, with which the display contents displayed on the displays 41, 42, 43 can be changed to other displays.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows that the displays 41, 42, 43 can be divided into individual display fields, wherein in this exemplary embodiment a division into six display fields is assumed. In each of the display fields, certain operating mode awareness-relevant parameters can be output at different fixed positions depending on the state thereof or the change thereof.

[0053] The display 41 is divided into two columns with three rows. The output of the operating mode awareness-relevant parameters is carried out depending on the guidance parameter (parameter 3). Thus, for example, in the left column an output can be carried out if guidance is automatic, and in the right column if guidance is carried out by the pilot. In the three rows, either on the left or right, depending on the guidance, a physical variable that is influenced by the automatic flight controller is displayed depending on the rate of change thereof. Thus, for example, an autothrust display can be implemented by displaying an acceleration value in the topmost row, i.e. either in the display field 410 or in the display field 413, or by displaying a constant speed in the central row, i.e. in the display field 411 or in the display field 414, or by displaying a speed reduction in the bottom row, i.e. in the display field 412 or display field 415.

[0054] A value of the vertical flight direction can be output in the central display 42 in a comparable manner by the available display fields 420 to 425 depending on the guidance. Thus, a display of the vertical flight direction is carried out in the top row, i.e. in the display field 420 or in the display field 423, if a climb is being carried out, a display of the vertical flight direction in the central row, i.e. in the display field 421 or in the display field 424, for constant altitude, or a display of the vertical flight direction in the bottom row, i.e. in the display field 422 or in the display field 425, if a descent is being carried out.

[0055] In the display 43, the lateral flight direction can be displayed for example. Accordingly, the display 43 is divided into the six display fields 430 to 435 in a suitable way that is different from the previously described displays 41, 42. In this case, there are three columns and two rows. In this case, the guidance-dependent display is carried out either in the upper or in the lower row depending on the set guidance. The lateral flight direction is displayed in the three respective horizontally adjacently disposed display fields 430,431,432 or 433,434,435 depending on the guidance. Thus, for example, in the left column, i.e. in the display field 430 or in the display field 433, a display of the lateral flight direction is carried out if the aircraft is flying a left turn, in the central column, i.e. in the display field 431 or in the display field 34, if the aircraft is flying straight ahead, and in the right column, i.e. in the display field 432 or in the display field 435, if the aircraft is flying a right turn.

[0056] This enables an Auto Flight Control and Display Unit (ACDU) to be implemented with the automatic flight controller, as described below.

[0057] Display Concept of the Auto Flight Control and Display Unit (ACDU)

[0058] Division of the Displays of the ACDU

[0059] The ACDU comprises a display 41 for the display of information about the autothrust (A/THR), a display 42 for displaying information about the vertical Flight Directors and Autopilots (vertical FD/AP) and a display 43 for displaying information about the lateral Flight Directors and Autopilots (lateral FD/AP). Each of said displays 41, 42, 43 is divided into several display regions, in which the corresponding information is displayed.

[0060] The A/THR display 41 is divided vertically into three display regions and horizontally into two display regions. In the upper vertical display region, information is displayed if the resulting aircraft behavior is a positive acceleration. In the central vertical display region, information is displayed if the resulting aircraft behavior is maintaining the current speed. In the lower vertical display region, information is displayed if the resulting aircraft behavior is a slowing of the speed (negative acceleration). In the left horizontal display region, information is displayed if the guidance of the active operating mode is managed, i.e. is determined by means of the programmed flying route. In the right horizontal display region, information is displayed if the guidance of the active operating mode is selected, i.e. is determined by the pilot.

[0061] The vertical FD/AP display 42 is divided vertically into three display regions and horizontally into two display regions. In the upper vertical display region, information is displayed if the resulting aircraft behavior is a climb. In the central vertical display region, information is displayed if the resulting aircraft behavior is maintaining the current altitude. In the lower vertical display region, information is displayed if the resulting aircraft behavior is a descent. In the left horizontal display region, information is displayed if the guidance of the active operating mode is managed. In the right horizontal display region, information is displayed if the guidance of the active operating mode is selected.

[0062] The lateral FD/AP display 43 is divided horizontally into three display regions and vertically into two display regions. In the left horizontal display region, information is displayed if the resulting aircraft behavior is a left turn. In the central horizontal display region, information is displayed if the resulting aircraft behavior is maintaining the current course. In the right horizontal display region, information is displayed if the resulting aircraft behavior is a right turn. In the upper vertical display region, information is displayed if the guidance of the active operating mode is managed. In the lower vertical display region, information is displayed if the guidance of the active operating mode is selected.

[0063] Display of Target Values of Operating Modes

[0064] The target values of operating modes are displayed in the different display regions on the displays according to the effects on the aircraft behavior and the guidance of the operating modes.

[0065] Of the A/THR operating modes, the target speed and/or the target thrust are displayed as target values. Of the vertical FD/AP operating modes, the target altitude and/or the target vertical speed or the target flight path angle are displayed. Of the lateral FD/AP operating modes, the target heading or track and/or the target bank angle are displayed.

[0066] Display of the Guidance of Operating Modes

[0067] The guidance of operating modes is displayed by means of the color of the display of the target values and by means of the display of the target values in the different display regions of the displays.

[0068] Target values of active managed operating modes are displayed in magenta or green (for common operating modes). Target values of active selected operating modes are displayed in blue.

[0069] Target values of active managed A/THR operating modes are displayed in the left horizontal display region of the A/THR display. Target values of active selected A/THR operating modes are displayed in the right horizontal display region of the A/THR display. Target values of active managed vertical FD/AP operating modes are displayed in the left horizontal display region of the vertical FD/AP display. Target values of active selected vertical FD/AP operating modes are displayed in the right horizontal display region of the vertical FD/AP display. Target values of active managed lateral FD/AP operating modes are displayed in the upper vertical display region of the lateral FD/AP display. Target values of active selected lateral FD/AP operating modes are displayed in the lower vertical display region of the lateral FD/AP displays.

[0070] Display of Control Behavior of Operating Modes

[0071] The control behavior of operating modes with which resulting aircraft behavior target values are achieved is described. The control behavior is displayed using the display of target values and/or resulting values and using the display of the target values and resulting values in the different display regions. Resulting values are the same values as the target values (speed, thrust, altitude, vertical speed, flight path angle, course and bank angle), but do not constitute a target value for the relevant operating mode, but only a value resulting from another target value. Unlike target values, resulting values are not displayed in color on the displays.

[0072] The basic control behavior is displayed using the display of the target values and resulting values in the different display regions. The basic control behavior describes the resulting aircraft behavior according to the division of the displays. As the basic control behavior of the A/THR operating modes, whether the aircraft is accelerating, maintaining the speed thereof or decelerating is displayed by displaying the target values and resulting values in the three vertical display regions of the A/THR displays. As basic control behavior of the vertical FD/AP operating modes, whether the aircraft is climbing, maintaining the altitude thereof or descending is displayed by displaying the target values and resulting values in the three vertical display regions of the vertical FD/AP displays. As basic control behavior of the lateral FD/AP operating modes, whether the aircraft is turning left, maintaining course or turning right is displayed by displaying the target values and resulting values in the three horizontal display regions of the lateral FD/AP displays.

[0073] The exact control behavior is displayed using the display of target values and/or resulting values. As the exact control behavior of the A/THR operating modes, how the aircraft is accelerating, maintaining speed or decelerating is displayed by displaying the speed and the thrust. As the exact control behavior of the vertical FD/AP operating modes, how the aircraft is climbing, maintaining altitude or descending is displayed by displaying the altitude and the vertical speed or the flight path angle. As the exact control behavior of the lateral FD/AP operating modes, how the aircraft is turning left, holding course or turning right is displayed by displaying the course and the bank.

[0074] Display of Target Values and Resulting Values

TABLE-US-00001 Vertical FD/AP Lateral FD/AP A/THR display display display Speed Thrust Altitude Vertical Course Bank Speed Example Example Example 250 kt 80% 4000 ft +1500 1800 200 ft/min

[0075] Display of the Type/Name of Operating Modes

[0076] The type and the name of operating modes are displayed by displaying the target values and/or resulting values in combination with the color of the display of the target values and in combination with the display of the target values and/or resulting values in the different display regions of the displays. Each A/THR operating mode, vertical FD/AP operating mode and lateral FD/AP operating mode is uniquely displayed by means of said combination.

[0077] Preview, Review and Outlook Function

[0078] Each display of the ACDU comprises a Preview function, an Outlook function and a Review function.

[0079] The Preview function indicates the next expected transitions. The Preview function gives a preview of the next expected active operating modes, the expected guidance thereof, the control behavior thereof and the expected interactions thereof and a preview of the expected resulting aircraft behavior after activation of the respective operating modes. Each next expected transition is displayed in the different display regions on the display according to the expected effects on the aircraft behavior when activating the operating mode. Each next expected transition is displayed with the display of the target values and the display of the control behavior of the corresponding expected next active operating mode. In order to distinguish between the active and the next expected active operating modes, the target values of the next expected active operating modes are not displayed in color. Directional arrows indicate, starting from the active operating modes, in which display region on the displays the next expected active operating modes are displayed following activation. In this case, the type of the directional arrows gives information about the expected type of the transition. Filled directional arrows indicate automatic transitions. Dashed directional arrows indicate manual transitions. The color of the directional arrows shows the expected guidance of the active operating modes expected to be the next following activation. Arrows of transitions to expected active managed operating modes are displayed in magenta or green (for common operating modes). Arrows of transitions to expected active selected operating modes are displayed in blue. The display of the next expected manual transitions can be concealed with the Next control element 52 of the ACDU.

[0080] The Review function indicates the last transitions carried out. In this case, the Review function gives a look back at the last active operating modes, the guidance thereof, the control behavior thereof and the interactions thereof as well as a look back at the resulting aircraft behavior thereof. Each last completed transition is displayed in the different display regions on the displays according to the last effects thereof on the aircraft behavior. Each last completed transition is displayed with the display of the target values and the display of the control behavior of the corresponding last active operating mode. In order to distinguish between active and last active operating modes, the target values of the last active operating modes are not displayed in color. Directional arrows indicate in which display region on the displays the last active operating modes were displayed, starting from the active operating modes. In this case, the type of directional arrows gives information about the last type of transition. Filled directional arrows indicate automatic transitions. Dashed directional arrows indicate manual transitions. The color of the directional arrows shows the guidance of the last active operating modes. Arrows of transitions to last active managed operating modes are displayed in magenta or green (for common operating modes). Arrows of transitions to last completed active selected operating modes are displayed in blue. The Review function and the display thereof can be revealed and concealed with the Last operating element 51.

[0081] The Outlook function shows the future expected automatic transitions. Future expected transitions are the subsequent transitions from the next expected transitions. In this case, the Outlook function gives a preview of the future expected active operating modes, the expected control behavior thereof and the expected interactions thereof as well as a preview of the expected resulting aircraft behavior following automatic activation of the respective operating modes. The display of the future expected manual transitions can be revealed and concealed with the Outlook control element 53 of the ACDU.

[0082] Display of Transitions and Transition Conditions of Operating Modes

[0083] Mode transitions are displayed using the change of the display of the type or of the name of operating modes. In addition, the Preview function gives a preview of the next expected automatic operating mode transitions and, if a display is possible, of the next expected manual operating mode transitions. A display for manual transitions is only possible if the target value of the operating mode to be activated is selected prior to the activation thereof. If the operating mode is directly activated, no preview can be displayed. For the next expected automatic operating mode transitions, the Preview function shows the time running backwards to the automatic operating mode transition. Furthermore, the Review function gives a look back at the last automatic and manual operating mode transitions carried out. For the last operating mode transitions carried out, the Review function shows the time elapsed running backwards from the time of the last operating mode transition carried out.

[0084] Mode transition conditions are displayed for automatic and manual operating mode transitions by the Preview function. In this case, the Preview function shows the transition conditions that must be met so that the transition can be carried out.

[0085] Arrows for transitions and transition conditions

TABLE-US-00002 Automatic transition to managed .fwdarw. 00:30 operating modes (color of the horizontal bar: magenta) Automatic transition to managed .fwdarw. 00:30 common operating modes (color of the horizontal bar: green) Automatic transition to .fwdarw. 00:30 selected operating modes (color of the horizontal bar: blue) Manual transition to selected .fwdarw. operating modes (color of the horizontal bar: magenta) Manual transition to selected .fwdarw. operating modes (color of the horizontal bar: blue) Manual transition to selected .fwdarw. operating modes (color of the horizontal bar: green) Display of operating mode .fwdarw. Reason transition conditions for automatic transitions to managed operating modes (color of the horizontal bar: magenta) Display of operating mode .fwdarw. Reason transition conditions for automatic transitions to managed common operating modes (color of the horizontal bar: green) Display of operating mode .fwdarw. Reason transition conditions for manual transitions to selected operating modes (color of the horizontal bar: blue)

[0086] Display of Interactions of Operating Modes

[0087] Interactions of A/THR operating modes, vertical FD/AP operating modes and lateral FD/AP operating modes are displayed using the Preview function. The Preview function indicates whether further automatic operating mode transitions result owing to a transition for automatic operating mode transitions and, if a display is possible, for manual operating mode transitions. An indication for manual transitions is only possible if the target value of the operating mode to be activated is selected before the activation thereof. On the display of the operating mode transition, the Preview function indicates that there are resulting operating mode transitions. On the display with the resulting operating mode transition, the Preview function indicates the resulting operating mode transition and the cause thereof (interaction).

[0088] Status Bar of the ACDU

[0089] The status bar of the ACDU is displayed in the upper region of the A/THR displays, of the vertical FD/AP displays and of the lateral FD/AP displays. The approach capability of the auto flight systems, the set approach minima, the status of the autothrust, flight directors and autopilots and the selected operating mode settings of the ACDU (MACH or SPD and HDG/VS or TRK/FPA) are displayed on the status bar.

[0090] Display of Abnormal and Hazardous States

[0091] Abnormal flying states are indicated you yellow target values. In addition, the Preview function shows a preview of abnormal flying states with yellow arrows if this is possible.

[0092] Hazardous flying states are indicated by red target values. In addition, the Preview function indicates a preview of hazardous flying states by red arrows if this is possible.