Aircrew automation system and method with integrated imaging and force sensing modalities
First Claim
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1. An aircrew automation system for use in an aircraft, the aircrew automation system comprising:
- a computer system having a processor and one or more interfaces to connect a plurality of systems or subsystems, wherein the computer system is communicatively coupled with a flight control system of the aircraft and is configured to generate commands based at least in part on flight situation data received from (1) one or more of the plurality of systems or subsystems or (2) the flight control system; and
an actuation system operatively coupled with the computer system via at least one of the one or more interfaces, wherein the actuation system comprises;
an optical sensor configured to visually identify one or more cockpit instruments corresponding to the flight control system;
an actuator configured to engage the one or more cockpit instruments;
a force sensor operably coupled to the actuator and configured to measure a force when the actuator makes contact with the one or more cockpit instruments; and
a controller operably coupled with the optical sensor, the actuator, and the force sensor, wherein the controller is configured (1) to map a location, type, and position of the one or more cockpit instruments as a function of data collected by the optical sensor and the force sensor, (2) to execute the commands received from the computer system via the actuator, and (3) to communicate data collected by the optical sensor or the force sensor to the computer system.
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Abstract
An aircrew automation system relates to the field of flight control systems, methods, and apparatuses; even more particularly, to a system, method, and apparatus for providing aircraft state monitoring and/or an automated aircrew employing a robotic arm with integrated imaging and force sensing modalities.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An aircrew automation system for use in an aircraft, the aircrew automation system comprising:
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a computer system having a processor and one or more interfaces to connect a plurality of systems or subsystems, wherein the computer system is communicatively coupled with a flight control system of the aircraft and is configured to generate commands based at least in part on flight situation data received from (1) one or more of the plurality of systems or subsystems or (2) the flight control system; and an actuation system operatively coupled with the computer system via at least one of the one or more interfaces, wherein the actuation system comprises; an optical sensor configured to visually identify one or more cockpit instruments corresponding to the flight control system; an actuator configured to engage the one or more cockpit instruments; a force sensor operably coupled to the actuator and configured to measure a force when the actuator makes contact with the one or more cockpit instruments; and a controller operably coupled with the optical sensor, the actuator, and the force sensor, wherein the controller is configured (1) to map a location, type, and position of the one or more cockpit instruments as a function of data collected by the optical sensor and the force sensor, (2) to execute the commands received from the computer system via the actuator, and (3) to communicate data collected by the optical sensor or the force sensor to the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of implementing an aircrew automation system for use in an aircraft, the method comprising:
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receiving a commanded heading from a flight control system of the aircraft to alter aircraft heading; identifying, via an optical sensor, a knob amongst one or more cockpit instruments that is configured to alter aircraft heading; activating a robotic arm configured to manipulate the one or more cockpit instruments; controlling the robotic arm to engage the knob; determining that a measured force profile for the knob matches a stored force profile value; and turning the knob to reflect the commanded heading. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification