Compound Aircraft Control System and Method
First Claim
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1. A compound aircraft, the compound aircraft comprising:
- a. a fuselage;
b. a rotor, said rotor being rotatably attached to said fuselage, said rotor being configured to have a selectable cyclic pitch;
c. a wing, said wing being attached to said fuselage;
d. a plurality of control effectors attached to said fuselage;
e. a microprocessor operably connected to said plurality of control effectors, said microprocessor being configured to operate said control effectors;
f. A computer memory operably connected to said microprocessor;
g. a plurality of selectable overall operational objectives stored within said computer memory;
h. a selector, said selector being configured to select a one of said overall operational objectives from among said plurality of overall operational objectives, said selector being operably connected to said microprocessor;
i. a sensor, said sensor being configured to detect a condition of the compound aircraft, said sensor being operably connected to said microprocessor;
i. a plurality of combinations of trim control settings to control at least a one of a roll, a pitch and a yaw of the compound aircraft, said plurality of combinations of trim control settings being stored within said computer memory;
j. said microprocessor being configured to receive a command, said microprocessor being programmed to select a one of said plurality of said combinations of trim control settings in response to said command, said microprocessor being programmed to select said one of said plurality of said combinations of trim control settings;
(i) based upon said selected one of said overall operational objectives, and(ii) based upon said condition of the compound aircraft, and(iii) based upon said command.
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Abstract
The Invention is a control system for a compound aircraft. A compound aircraft has features of both a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft and provides redundant control options. The control system allows an authorized person to select any of plurality of operational objectives each of which is designed to achieve any particular command.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A compound aircraft, the compound aircraft comprising:
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a. a fuselage; b. a rotor, said rotor being rotatably attached to said fuselage, said rotor being configured to have a selectable cyclic pitch; c. a wing, said wing being attached to said fuselage; d. a plurality of control effectors attached to said fuselage; e. a microprocessor operably connected to said plurality of control effectors, said microprocessor being configured to operate said control effectors; f. A computer memory operably connected to said microprocessor; g. a plurality of selectable overall operational objectives stored within said computer memory; h. a selector, said selector being configured to select a one of said overall operational objectives from among said plurality of overall operational objectives, said selector being operably connected to said microprocessor; i. a sensor, said sensor being configured to detect a condition of the compound aircraft, said sensor being operably connected to said microprocessor; i. a plurality of combinations of trim control settings to control at least a one of a roll, a pitch and a yaw of the compound aircraft, said plurality of combinations of trim control settings being stored within said computer memory; j. said microprocessor being configured to receive a command, said microprocessor being programmed to select a one of said plurality of said combinations of trim control settings in response to said command, said microprocessor being programmed to select said one of said plurality of said combinations of trim control settings; (i) based upon said selected one of said overall operational objectives, and (ii) based upon said condition of the compound aircraft, and (iii) based upon said command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification