Tactile signaling systems for aircraft

• US 4,484,191 A
• Filed: 06/14/1982
• Issued: 11/20/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George S. Vavra
• Original Assignee: George S. Vavra
• Inventors: Vavra, George S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Application Number:
  US06/388,480
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 340/27 AT, 340/27 R, 340/407, 340/965, 340/967, 340/974, 340/975, 200/61.52, 33/328
• US Class Current: 340/965
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/981 Warning systems, e.g. the seat or seat parts vibrates to warn the passenger when facing a danger
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/06 Electric or photoelectric indication or reading means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/085 to ensure coordination between different movements

Abstract

A system for tactilely alerting an aircraft pilot that the aircraft is in an uncoordinated turn condition and for indicating to the pilot the control adjustments required to correct the turn condition. The system includes a device for sensing the turn condition of the aircraft and a pair of tactile sensation generators in the vicinity of the pilot'"'"'s legs. The condition sensing device controls activation of one or the other of the tactile sensation generators which indicates to the pilot which foot to depress on the rudder control to return to coordinated flight.

Claims

1. A pilot alerting system for aircraft with foot actuated rudder control comprising

means for sensing an uncoordinated flight condition of the aircraft which can be corrected by the application of rudder control, said flight condition sensing means comprising

a ball bank instrument having a ball moveable in a curved transparent tube, said ball occupying a central region of said tube when the aircraft is in a coordinated flight condition and being moveable away from said central region when the aircraft is in an uncoordinated flight condition, and photoelectric means for detecting movement of said ball away from the central region of said tube,

and means controlled by said photoelectric means for indicating to the pilot the direction of application of rudder control to correct the uncoordinated flight condition, said indicating means comprising

a pair of tactile sensation generators located, respectively, in close proximity to the legs of the pilot, each generator, when energized, giving the pilot a tactile indication of the foot to be moved to coordinate the flight condition of the aircraft.