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US 9,067,672 B2Granted
Pilot control system with pendent grip
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorsTravis L. Yates, Bradley D. Linton, Chad R. Haugeberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a post, a grip, and a shaft. The post has a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom. The shaft has a first end coupled proximate to the body below the top and a second end opposite the first end coupled to the grip. The shaft positions at least part of the grip directly over the top of the post.
Claims24
A rotorcraft, comprising:
- a body;
- a power train coupled to the body and comprising a power source and a drive shaft coupled to the power source;
- a rotor system coupled to the power train and comprising a plurality of rotor blades;
- a control assembly, comprising:
- a post having a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom, the body having an opening therethrough located above the bottom and directly below the top;
- at least one linkage disposed at least in part within the body;
- a grip;
- and
- a shaft having a first end coupled to the at least one linkage proximate to the body below the top and a second end opposite the first end coupled to the grip, the shaft passing through the opening in the body and positioning at least part of the grip directly over the top of the post without passing through the top;
- and
- a rotorcraft control system operable to communicate commands to the rotor system based on movements of the at least one linkage.
8 more elements
A control assembly, comprising:
- a post having a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom, the body having an opening therethrough located above the bottom and directly below the top;
- a grip;
- and
- a shaft having a first end coupled proximate to the body below the top and a second end opposite the first end coupled to the grip, the shaft passing through the opening in the body and positioning at least part of the grip directly over the top of the post without passing through the top.
1 more element
A method of communicating flight control inputs, comprising:
- supporting at least part of a grip over a top of a post, the post having the top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom, by providing a shaft passing through an opening in the body and positioning at least part of the grip directly over the top of the post without passing through the top, the body having the opening therethrough located above the bottom and directly below the top;
- receiving a movement of the grip;
- and
- in response to the movement of the grip, transmitting a flight control command.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.