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US 6,644,600 B1Granted
Method and system for providing manipulation restraining forces for a stick controller on an aircraft
AssigneeRockwell Collins, Inc.
InventorsThomas C. Olson, E. Bernard Hayes, M. Scott Ervin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for providing variable motion-resisting loads for a side stick controller on an aircraft where the primary resistive load is provided by a mechanical spring mechanism which is augmented or supplemented by an electric servo motor and electric servo motor linkage system.
Claims18
A method of resisting motion of a stick handle of a control stick comprising the steps of:
- providing plurality of springs configured for providing a spring bias against said stick handle;
- and,
- providing a supplementing force to resist a pilot manipulation of said stick, where said supplementing force is in addition to said spring bias and where said supplementing force is accomplished with an electrically controllable force.
A flight control system comprising:
- a first side stick controller configured for providing control of a flight characteristic of an aircraft in response to manipulation by a pilot;
- spring means for providing resistance to motion of said first side stick controller in response to said manipulation by a pilot;
- electrical means for providing variable resistance to motion of said first side stick controller in response to said manipulation by a pilot;
- and
- said electrical means for providing resistance provides a supplementing force which supplements forces being applied by said spring means.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a flight control system configured to change flight characteristics of an aircraft;
- a stick controller coupled to said flight control system;
- where said stick controller provides control signals in response to a manipulation of a stick handle;
- a plurality of orthogonal springs configured, to resist manipulation of said stick handle;
- an electric servo motor at least indirectly coupled to said stick handle, said electric servo motor configured to, at least Indirectly, provide forces on said stick handle, which supplement forces applied by said plurality of orthogonal springs;
- a servo amplifier, coupled to said electric servo motor, configured to provide commands to said electric servo motor in response to stick control signals;
- a source of said stick handle control signals;
- and,
- a stick feedback loop configured to provide information relating to a characteristic of said stick handle.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.