FLIGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM

• US 20070182590A1
• Filed: 02/06/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Trutrak Flight Systems, Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Younkin, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,295,135 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/973
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration

Abstract

A flight instrument displays azimuth information in combination with horizon information and other optional information such as altitude and/or airspeed. Azimuth information is displayed using an elliptical pattern placed below a horizon line displaying horizon information. The horizon information may be based on gyro enhanced vertical speed and/or vertical axis information. The elliptical pattern may be representative of a horizontal circular heading indicator viewed from above and behind the circular indicator. In one embodiment, the elliptical azimuth pattern moves in response to movement of the horizon line to maintain position below the horizon line. Airspeed and/or altitude information may be displayed at the sides of the screen area using a circular arc display pattern

Claims

1. A flight instrument having a combined display comprising:

an artificial horizon display comprising a horizon line responsive vertically to a first information source and responsive in rotation to a second information source;

an altitude display, said altitude display comprising an altitude scale having a shape following a first continuous arc without substantial deviation from said first continuous arc; and

a fixed reference pointer, said fixed reference pointer indicating altitude relative to said altitude scale;

wherein said altitude scale does not form a complete circle; and

wherein said altitude scale moves following said first continuous arc in response to altitude information from an altitude information source.

13. The flight instrument of claim 1, wherein said first continuous arc is a portion of a circle or an ellipse.

15. The flight instrument of claim 1, further including an airspeed display;

wherein said airspeed display comprises an airspeed scale having a shape following a second continuous arc without substantial deviation from said second continuous arc; and

a fixed reference pointer;

wherein said fixed reference pointer indicates airspeed relative to said airspeed scale, and said airspeed scale moves following said second continuous arc responsive to airspeed information from an airspeed information source.

17. The flight instrument of claim 15, wherein the second continuous arc is a portion of a circle or an ellipse.

25. The flight instrument of claim 1, wherein said altitude scale begins near a vertical edge of said combined display and terminates at a lower point near said vertical edge of said combined display.

26. The flight instrument of claim 15, wherein said airspeed scale begins near a vertical edge of said combined display and terminates at a lower point near said vertical edge of said combined display.

27. The flight instrument of claim 1, further including an azimuth display responsive to azimuth information from an azimuth information source.

28. The flight instrument of claim 27, wherein the azimuth display comprises an elliptical pattern, said elliptical pattern responsive to heading information from a heading information source.

35. The flight instrument of claim 13, wherein said artificial horizon display and said altitude display are displayed within a display boundary, and wherein said portion of said circle or said ellipse, if extended to complete said circle or said ellipse, would extend beyond said display boundary.

36. The flight instrument of claim 17, wherein said artificial horizon display and said airspeed display are displayed within a display boundary, and wherein said portion of said circle or said ellipse, if extended to complete said circle or said ellipse, would extend beyond said display boundary.

37. The flight instrument of claim 1, wherein the first information source comprises gyro enhanced vertical speed information.

38. The flight instrument of claim 1, wherein the first information source comprises pitch information.

2-12. -12. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. A method for displaying altitude information in combination with horizon information in a combination display comprising the steps of:

displaying a horizon line responsive vertically and in rotation to said horizon information;

displaying an altitude scale to be read relative to a fixed reference pointer;

said altitude scale having a shape following a continuous curve without substantial deviation from said continuous curve and without following a complete circle; and

moving said scale along said continuous curve in response to said altitude information.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said continuous curve is a continuous portion of a circle or an ellipse.

34. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of displaying said altitude scale comprises the steps of:

beginning the altitude scale from a beginning point relatively near a vertical edge of a said combination display;

running the altitude scale farther from said vertical edge of said combination display than said beginning point;

ending the altitude scale at an ending point separate from said beginning point, said ending point relatively near said vertical edge of said combination display;

21-24. -24. (canceled)

29. A flight instrument comprising:

an artificial horizon display comprising a horizon line responsive to horizon information; and

an azimuth display comprising an elliptical pattern responsive to heading information from a heading information source;

wherein said azimuth display occupies a given space defined by a boundary of said elliptical pattern during a normal maneuver; and

wherein said horizon line of said horizon indicator invades said given space during a pitch up maneuver.

30. The flight instrument of claim 29, wherein said horizon line moves into said elliptical pattern during said pitch up maneuver.

31. The flight instrument of claim 30, wherein said elliptical pattern moves down to avoid interference with said horizon line during said pitch up maneuver.

32. The flight instrument of claim 30, wherein said elliptical pattern contracts in vertical dimension in response to said pitch up maneuver.

33. The flight instrument of claim 29, wherein said elliptical pattern expands in vertical dimension in response to a pitch down maneuver.