METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOAD STABILIZATION IN HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTERS

• US 3,838,836 A
• Filed: 08/08/1973
• Issued: 10/01/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard F. Whitbeck, Sabi J. Asseo
• Original Assignee: Richard F. Whitbeck, Sabi J. Asseo
• Inventors: Asseo, Sabi J., Whitbeck, Richard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Basinger, Sherman D.
• Application Number:
  US05/386,809
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 244/137R,118R,2,DIG.2 294/81R,74
• US Class Current: 244/137.4
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/22 Taking-up articles from earth's surface
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0858 specially adapted for vertical take-off of aircraft

Abstract

The external load produced motions in a heavy lift helicopter are stabilized by dynamically stabilizing the load. A three-point suspension system is used to support the load with each of the points being individually movable in response to sensed conditions of the relative motions of the load and helicopter.

Claims

1. A method of load stabilization for use in a pilot commanded heavy lift helicopter carrying an externally slung load including the steps of:

supporting each point of a 3-point suspension system by a respective one of three winch controller means secured to the helicopter;

securing a load to the 3-point suspension system;

sensing the motion of the helicopter and load;

sensing pilot command signals; and

controlling each of the winch controller means in response to the sensed motion of the helicopter and load and the pilot command signals, whereby the 3-point suspension system is positioned to dynamically stabilize the load under conditions tending to produce load oscillations.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of operating said winch controller means as speed regulators to raise and lower the load.

3. The method of claim 1 further including the step of moving one of said winch controller means with respect to the helicopter in response to the sensed motion of the helicopter and load.

4. Apparatus for load stabilization in a heavy lift helicopter comprising:

three winch controller means secured to and supported by said helicopter;

a 3-point suspension system supported at each point by a respective one of said winch controller means;

means for securing a load to said 3-point suspension system;

pilot actuated helicopter control means for transmitting pilot command signals indicative of desired helicopter operation;

instrument means for sensing helicopter motion and transmitting signals indicative thereof;

instrument means for sensing load motion and transmitting signals indicative thereof;

central control means for receiving and blending the pilot command signals and the signals indicative of the helicopter motion and the load motion and, responsive thereto, transmitting control signals for controlling the flight of the helicopter and the operation of the winch controller means whereby the 3-point suspension system is positioned to dynamically stabilize the load.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said central control means include means for selectively operating said winch controller means to raise or lower the load or to dynamically stabilize the load.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for selectively operating said winch controller means includes a relay actuated in response to one of said pilot command signals for selectively supplying either of two sets of the control signals to the winch controller means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising means for repositioning one of said winch controller means relative to said helicopter in response to one of said control signals.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for repositioning one of said winch controller means relative to said helicopter in response to one of said control signals.