Method and apparatus for controlling multiple engine aircraft
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorBarton H. Snow
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Control means and method for steering an aircraft is disclosed. The aircraft includes engines positioned on opposite sides of its longitudinal axis. The method comprises: selecting an aircraft heading; sensing a deviation from said heading; and varying the thrust of at least one engine in response to the sense deviation.
Claims19
In an aircraft including two engines positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said aircraft, a sensing control mechanism, a thrust control mechanism, and a rudder for steering control, a method for improving flight efficiency comprising the steps of:
- a. setting a rudder angle in pursuit of a preselected heading;
- b. sensing said rudder angle using said sensing control mechanism;
- and
- c. varying the thrust of at least one engine using said thrust control mechanism in automatic response to rudder angle to reduce said angle and maintain said preselected heading.
In an aircraft including two engines positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said aircraft, a thrust control mechanism, and a rudder for steering control, a method for improving flight efficiency comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting a thrust for each engine;
- b. setting a rudder angle in pursuit of a preselected heading;
- c. varying the thrust of at least one engine using said thrust control mechanism in automatic response to rudder angle to reduce said angle;
- and
- d. repeating steps b and c to continuously minimize said angle.
In an aircraft including two engines positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said aircraft, a sensing control mechanism, and a thrust control mechanism, a method for steering said aircraft comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting an aircraft heading;
- b. sensing a deviation from said heading using said sensing control mechanism;
- c. producing a signal indicating a desired thrust in response to the deviation sensing step;
- d. monitoring a signal indicating engine thrust;
- and
- e. controlling the fuel flow to at least one of the engines in response to the desired thrust signal and the signal indicating engine thrust.
In an aircraft including two engines positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said aircraft, a sensing control mechanism, and a thrust control mechanism, a method for improving flight efficiency comprising the steps of:
- a. selecting a thrust for each engine;
- b. selecting an aircraft heading;
- c. sensing a deviation from said heading using said sensing control mechanism;
- d. producing a signal indicating a desired thrust change in response to the deviation sensing step;
- e. monitoring a signal indicating engine thrust;
- f. controlling the fuel flow to at least one of the engines in responses to the desired thrust change signal and the signal indicating engine thrust;
- and
- g. repeating steps c through f to continuously minimize said deviation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.