Aircraft inceptor trim apparatus

An apparatus for adjusting aircraft inceptor trim, the apparatus comprising:

• an inceptor centring device configured to be mechanically coupled to a control shaft;
• wherein the control shaft rotates in response to control inputs provided at the inceptor;
• wherein the inceptor centring device comprises an inceptor centring spring;
• wherein the inceptor centring spring is preloaded with a preload force;
• and
• wherein the inceptor centring spring is configured to provide a first biasing force to bias the control shaft to an inceptor neutral position;
• and
• a trim mechanism mechanically coupled to the inceptor centring device;
• wherein the trim mechanism comprises a trim locking device having:
• an unlocked state in which the trim locking device is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the inceptor centring device;
• and
• a locked state in which the trim locking device is configured to maintain the adjusted position of the inceptor centring device;
• wherein a resistance force of the trim mechanism with the trim locking device in the unlocked state is less than the preload force, such that when the trim mechanism is in the unlocked state, actuation of the inceptor results in adjustment of the position of the inceptor centring device to alter the inceptor neutral position and hence the degree of aircraft inceptor trim;
• wherein the inceptor centring spring is a helical torsion spring;
• wherein the inceptor centring device is configured such that the torsion spring is wound more tightly both when the control shaft rotates in the clockwise direction and when the control shaft rotates in the anti-clockwise direction.

A system comprising:

• an apparatus for adjusting aircraft inceptor trim, the apparatus comprising:
• an inceptor centring device configured to be mechanically coupled to a control shaft;
• wherein the control shaft rotates in response to control inputs provided at the inceptor;
• wherein the inceptor centring device comprises an inceptor centring spring;
• wherein the inceptor centring spring is preloaded with a preload force;
• and
• wherein the inceptor centring spring is configured to provide a first biasing force to bias the control shaft to an inceptor neutral position;
• and
• a trim mechanism mechanically coupled to the inceptor centring device;
• wherein the trim mechanism comprises a trim locking device having:
• an unlocked state in which the trim locking device is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the inceptor centring device;
• and
• a locked state in which the trim locking device is configured to maintain the adjusted position of the inceptor centring device;
• wherein a resistance force of the trim mechanism with the trim locking device in the unlocked state is less than the preload force, such that when the trim mechanism is in the unlocked state, actuation of the inceptor results in adjustment of the position of the inceptor centring device to alter the inceptor neutral position and hence the degree of aircraft inceptor trim;
• the system further comprising:
• a first aircraft inceptor;
• and
• one or more inceptor sensors;
• wherein the first inceptor and the one or more inceptor sensors, are mechanically coupled to the control shaft;
• the system further comprising an inceptor damper mechanically coupled to the inceptor centring device;
• wherein the inceptor damper is configured to damp the first biasing force provided by the inceptor centring device.