Automatic pilot control system (ACS) for GLOC and ILOC, with aircraft following systems

• US 20030034902A1
• Filed: 08/12/2002
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John Eugene Dickau
• Original Assignee: John Eugene Dickau
• Inventors: Dickau, John Eugene
• Application Number:
  US10/216,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20030034902A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/945
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0031 means for overriding or restricting access to flight controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0034 by ground-control override
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0061 for transition from automatic pilot to manual pilot and vice versa

Abstract

This invention describes a automatic pilot control system (ACS) that activates the automatic pilot, if the pilot does not respond to a gravity induced loss of consciousness (GLOC) alarm, or a injury induced loss of consciousness alarm (ILOC). If the pilot does not respond to audible and/or visible alarms, the automatic pilot control system (ACS), has a indication that the pilot is not in control of the aircraft, and the ACS activates the automatic pilot. The injured pilot (ILOC) alarm is activated when the aircraft has been damaged. The GLOC alarm is activated after a high acceleration (G) turn. The ACS may receive input about the physiological status of the pilot.

If the automatic pilot is unable to maintain stable flight and a ground impact is imminent, the ACS activates a visible and audible ejection (E) alarm. The pilot must respond to the E alarm, or the ACS activates the ejection seat.

The ACS may establish a communications link with pilots in the flight group, or on the ground. Another pilot in the flight group can instruct the automatic pilot of the aircraft with the unconscious or injured pilot to follow his aircraft to safety.

The ACS can provide medical treatment, or establish a communications link with a medical doctor, or medic, to assist the pilot in recovery from GLOC, or treat the pilots injuries.

Claims

1. ) A Automatic Pilot Control System (ACS) to prevent the loss of a aircraft when the pilot experiences gravity induced loss of consciousness (GLOC) consisting of

a) a means, such as a accelerometer, that detects acceleration, or g forces, experienced by the aircraft and pilot,

b) a electronic control system that activates a visual, and/or audible, “

G”

alarm when the g forces detected exceed a maximum value,

c) a means to detects the pilot has recognized the “

G”

alarm

d) a automatic pilot that is activated if the pilot does not recognize the “

I”

alarm.

2. ) The ACS in claim 1 where the means to detect the pilots recognition of the G alarm is the pilot moving, or throwing, a switch

3. ) The ACS in claim 1 where the means to detect the pilots recognition of the G alarm is the pilot making a vocalization that is recognized by a voice recognition system.

4. ) The ACS in claim 1 where if aspects of the pilot activity indicate the pilot is conscious the “

G”

alarm is not activated.

5. ) The ACS in claim 4 where the aspects of the pilots activity examined are physiological, anatomical or behavioral.

6. ) The ACS in claim 1 where the G suit remains functional to resist blood flow into the pilots extremities until the pilot responds to the G alarm.

7. ) A Automatic Pilot Control System (ACS) to prevent loss of a aircraft and pilot consisting of

a) a system that detects damage to the aircraft

b) a electronic control system that activates a visual, and/or audible “

I”

alarm when damage to the aircraft is detected,

c) a means to detect that the pilot has recognized the “

I”

alarm

d) a automatic pilot that is activated if the pilot does not recognize the “

I”

alarm.

8. ) The ACS in claim 7 where the means to detect the pilots recognition of the I alarm is the pilot moving, or throwing, a switch.

9. ) The ACS in claim 7 where the means to detect the pilots recognition of the I alarm is the pilot making a vocalization that is recognized by a voice recognition system.

10. ) The ACS in claim 7 where if aspects of the pilot activity indicate the pilot is conscious the “

I”

alarm is not activated.

11. ) A ACS system in claim 7 where if the automatic pilot cannot establish stable flight of a damaged aircraft with a injured pilot, and ground impact is imminent, a “

E”

alarm is activated, that the pilot must respond to or the pilot is ejected from the aircraft.

12. ) A ACS system that can establish communication with other flight group pilots, or ground stationed pilots or medical personal.

13. ) The ACS in claim 12 where the communication link provides the automatic pilot with input to fly a aircraft with a injured, or unconscious pilot.

14. ) The ACS in claim 12 where a video camera image of the pilot is transmitted to other pilots in the flight group, or ground stationed pilot or medical personnel.

15. ) A ACS in claim 12 in which mechanical performance of the aircraft is transmitted to other pilots in the flight group, or to a ground station pilot.

16. ) A ACS that is pre-programmed to fly a safest egress route when activated.

17. ) A ACS with a “

following system”

that allows a aircraft with a active ACS system, to follow another aircraft in a flight group.

18. ) The ACS in claim 17 where the pilot activates automatic pilot following systems, allowing his aircraft to follow another aircraft, while that pilot undertakes mission management tasks.

19. ) The ACS in claim 17 where the following systems are active in a unmanned air vehicle.

20. ) The ACS in claim 17 where the following systems use infrared, radar, or optical sensors, or way point transmission methods to follow the lead aircraft.

21. ) A ACS which can provide medical support to a pilot autonomously or by establishing a communications link to medical personnel.