Pilot assistance system
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsLuke D. Gillett, Brandon J. Thomas, Joseph M. Schaeffer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a pilot assistance system includes a trim assembly and a trim assembly control system. The trim assembly is operable to communicate with a pilot control device and operable to apply a force against the pilot control device in resistance of a command received from a pilot via the pilot control device. The trim assembly control system is in communication with the trim assembly, configured to identify a first pilot control device position relative to a reference pilot control device position, and configured to instruct the trim assembly to apply a cueing force against the pilot control device if the pilot control device is positioned proximate to the first pilot control device position.
Claims20
A rotorcraft, comprising:
- a body;
- a power train coupled to the body and comprising one or more power sources and a drive shaft coupled to the one or more power sources;
- a rotor system coupled to the power train and comprising a plurality of rotor blades;
- a flight control system operable to change at least one operating condition of the rotor system;
- a pilot control device in communication with the flight control system and operable to receive a command from a pilot;
- a trim assembly in mechanical communication with the pilot control device and operable to apply a force against the pilot control device in resistance of the command from the pilot;
- and
- a trim assembly control system in communication with the trim assembly and configured to:
- determine that the rotorcraft is operating in an emergency flight condition;
- identify a first pilot control device position relative to a reference pilot control device position, wherein the first pilot control device position is identified based on a correspondence between a value of one or more variable and one of a plurality of stages of a maneuver during the emergency flight condition;
- and
- instruct the trim assembly to apply a cueing force against the pilot control device if the pilot control device is positioned proximate to the first pilot control device position.
A pilot assistance system for an aircraft, comprising:
- a trim assembly operable to communicate with a pilot control device and operable to apply a force against the pilot control device in resistance of a command received from a pilot via the pilot control device;
- and
- a trim assembly control system in communication with the trim assembly and configured to:
- determine that the aircraft is operating in an emergency flight condition;
- identify a first pilot control device position relative to a reference pilot control device position, wherein the first pilot control device position is identified based on a correspondence between a value of one or more variable and one of a plurality of stages of a maneuver during the emergency flight condition;
- and
- instruct the trim assembly to apply a cueing force against the pilot control device if the pilot control device is positioned proximate to the first pilot control device position.
A method for assisting a pilot during operation of an aircraft, comprising:
- determining that the aircraft is operating in an emergency flight condition;
- identifying a first pilot control device position of a pilot control device relative to a reference pilot control device position, wherein the first pilot control device position is identified based on a correspondence between a value of one or more variable and one of a plurality of stages of a maneuver during the emergency flight condition;
- and
- instructing a trim assembly to apply a cueing force against the pilot control device if the pilot control device is positioned proximate to the first pilot control device position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.