Pilot flight control stick feedback system
First Claim
1. An aircraft flight control surface actuation haptic feedback system, comprising:
- a flight control stick adapted to receive an input force supplied by a pilot and configured, upon receipt of the input force, to move to a control position in a displacement direction;
a control unit adapted to receive signals representative of aircraft speed, aircraft altitude, aircraft attitude, and aircraft flight envelope and operable, in response thereto, to supply a plurality of independent variable force feedback signals; and
a magnetic bearing including a rotor and a plurality of stators, the magnetic bearing rotor coupled to the flight control stick, each magnetic bearing stator disposed adjacent to, and spaced apart from, the magnetic bearing rotor, each magnetic bearing stator coupled to receive one of the independent variable force feedback signals and operable, in response thereto, to supply a variable magnetic feedback force to the magnetic bearing rotor that urges the magnetic bearing rotor in a direction that opposes the displacement direction of the flight control stick.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pilot flight control stick haptic feedback mechanism provides variable force feedback to the pilot flight control stick based on actual aircraft conditions. The flight control stick is movable to a control position in a displacement direction. A control unit receives one or more signals representative of aircraft conditions and, in response thereto, selectively supplies a variable force feedback signal. A magnetic bearing is disposed adjacent at least a portion of the flight control stick, and is responsive to the variable force feedback signal to supply a variable magnetic feedback force to the flight control stick in a direction that opposes the displacement direction.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An aircraft flight control surface actuation haptic feedback system, comprising:
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a flight control stick adapted to receive an input force supplied by a pilot and configured, upon receipt of the input force, to move to a control position in a displacement direction;
a control unit adapted to receive signals representative of aircraft speed, aircraft altitude, aircraft attitude, and aircraft flight envelope and operable, in response thereto, to supply a plurality of independent variable force feedback signals; and
a magnetic bearing including a rotor and a plurality of stators, the magnetic bearing rotor coupled to the flight control stick, each magnetic bearing stator disposed adjacent to, and spaced apart from, the magnetic bearing rotor, each magnetic bearing stator coupled to receive one of the independent variable force feedback signals and operable, in response thereto, to supply a variable magnetic feedback force to the magnetic bearing rotor that urges the magnetic bearing rotor in a direction that opposes the displacement direction of the flight control stick. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 7)
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6. (canceled)
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8-10. -10. (canceled)
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11. An aircraft flight control surface actuation system, comprising:
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a flight control stick adapted to receive an input force supplied by a pilot and configured, upon receipt of the input force, to (i) move to a control position in a displacement direction and (ii) supply a flight control surface position control signal based at least in part on the control position to which the flight control stick is moved;
a control unit coupled to receive (i) the flight control surface position control signal and (ii) signals representative of aircraft speed, aircraft altitude aircraft attitude and aircraft flight envelope and operable, in response thereto, to (i) supply one or more flight control surface position commands and (ii) supply a plurality of independent variable force feedback signals; and
a magnetic bearing including a rotor and a plurality of stators, the magnetic bearing rotor coupled to the flight control stick, each magnetic bearing stator disposed adjacent to, and spaced apart from, the magnetic bearing rotor, each magnetic bearing stator coupled to receive one of the independent variable force feedback signals and operable, in response thereto, to supply a variable magnetic feedback force to the magnetic bearing rotor that urges the magnetic bearing rotor in a direction that opposes the displacement direction of the flight control stick. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 16)
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15. (canceled)
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17-18. -18. (canceled)
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19. An aircraft flight control surface actuation system, comprising:
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a flight control stick adapted to receive an input force supplied by a pilot and configured, upon receipt of the input force, to move to a control position in a displacement direction one or more flight control stick position sensors configured to sense the control position of the flight control stick and operable to supply a flight control surface position control signal based at least in part on the sensed control position;
a control unit coupled to receive (i) the flight control surface position control signal, (ii) one or more signals representative of aircraft conditions, and (iii) a signal representative of aircraft operational envelope, and operable, in response thereto, to (i) supply one or more flight control surface position commands and (ii) supply a plurality of independent variable force feedback signals; and
a magnetic bearing including a rotor and a plurality of stators, the magnetic bearing rotor coupled to the flight control stick, each magnetic bearing stator disposed adjacent to, and spaced apart from, the magnetic bearing rotor, each magnetic bearing stator coupled to receive one of the independent variable force feedback signals and operable, in response thereto, to supply a variable magnetic feedback force to the magnetic bearing rotor that urges the magnetic bearing rotor in a direction that opposes the displacement direction of the flight control stick.
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20. (canceled)
Specification