Illuminated Sidestick Controller, Such As An Illuminated Sidestick Controller for Use In Aircraft

• US 20150175274A1
• Filed: 02/25/2015
• Published: 06/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Textron Innovations Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Voros, Robert Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,586,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/0421 control sticks for primary flight controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/02 Arrangements or adaptations of signal or lighting devices

Abstract

A system and method for illuminating one or more sidestick controllers within a cockpit of an aircraft is described. In some embodiments, the system includes a sidestick controller having lighting components that display lighting behaviors representing the movement and/or control of an aircraft. In some embodiments, the system illuminates various different lighting components on a sidestick controller based on information received from aircraft control systems, cockpit lighting systems, and other systems associated with an aircraft.

Claims

1. A sidestick controller for use in an aircraft, comprising:

a control module, wherein the control module is configured to control operation of the aircraft; and

an illumination module, wherein the illumination module is configured to display one or more lighted signals in response to auto-flight operation of the aircraft.

2. The sidestick controller of claim 1, wherein the illumination module is located on the sidestick controller.

3. The sidestick controller of claim 1, wherein the illumination module is configured to display the one or more lighted signals in response to a warning or cue signal.

4. The sidestick controller of claim 1, wherein the illumination module displays the one or more lighted signals in a sequence configured to progress directionally, thereby indicating a corresponding aircraft direction in response to auto-flight operation.

5. A system for indicating information associated with control of an aircraft, the system comprising:

an information component, wherein the information component is configured to determine a state of flight control based on information received from an auto-flight operation of the aircraft; and

an illumination component,

wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate one or more indicators associated with a sidestick controller of the aircraft in response to the determined state of flight control.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the illumination component is located on the sidestick controller.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the information component is configured to determine if the sidestick controller has been given priority;

and wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate the one or more indicators with a pattern of lights indicative of priority.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the information component is configured to determine if a warning or cue is to be given;

and wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate the one or more indicators with a pattern of lights indicative of the warning or cue.

9. The system of claim 5, wherein the information component is configured to determine whether the aircraft is being commanded to perform a roll or pitch operation;

and wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate the indicators in a sequence that progresses directionally, thereby indicating a corresponding aircraft direction in response to the roll or pitch operation.

10. A method for displaying lighted information associated with a sidestick controller of an aircraft, the method comprising:

identifying whether a sidestick controller is assigned priority; and

when the sidestick controller is not assigned priority;

receiving pitch control input information from an auto-flight operation within the aircraft;

illuminating pitch lights of an illumination module based on the received pitch control input information;

receiving roll control input information from an auto-flight operation within the aircraft; and

illuminating roll lights of the illumination module based on the received roll control input information.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving warning or cue input information; and

illuminating one or more indicators of the illumination module based on the received warning or cue input information.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving pitch control information includes receiving pitch control information from a sidestick controller within the aircraft.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving roll control information includes receiving roll control information from a sidestick controller within the aircraft.

14. A system for indicating a flight control status of an aircraft, comprising:

an information component, wherein the information component is configured to determine the flight control status of the aircraft; and

an illumination component,

wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate one or more indicators in the aircraft cockpit, thereby indicating the flight control status of the aircraft.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the information component is configured to determine if a warning or cue is to be given;

and wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate the one or more indicators with a pattern of lights indicating the warning or cue.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the information component is configured to determine if a sidestick controller has been given priority;

and wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate the one or more indicators with a pattern of lights indicating priority.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the illumination component is configured to display the one or more lighted signals in response to operation of a sidestick controller of the aircraft.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the illumination component is configured to display a first color when the sidestick controller is a priority stick for actively controlling the aircraft, and a second color when the sidestick controller is not the priority stick.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the information component is configured to determine whether the aircraft is being commanded to perform a roll or pitch operation based on information received from another sidestick controller of the aircraft;

and wherein the illumination component is configured to illuminate the one or more indicators with a pattern of lights indicating the roll or pitch operation.

20. The system of claim 19, the pattern of lights comprising a sequence of illuminating lights configured to progress directionally, thereby indicating a corresponding aircraft direction in response to the roll or pitch operation.