Simulating horizontal stabilizer trimming in an aircraft

• US 5,286,203 A
• Filed: 10/07/1992
• Issued: 02/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reflectone, Inc. (British Aerospace, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AAI Microflite Simulation International
• Inventors: Fuller, John J., Bratt, Charles J., Mueller, Paul E., Blackwell, Wayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US07/957,137
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 434/29, 434/30, 434/32, 434/35, 434/43-46, 434/47, 434/35, 434/38, 434/51, 434/55, 434/58, 434/65-67, 244/75 R, 244/178, 244/220, 364/424.06, 364/578
• US Class Current: 434/45
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/28 Simulation of stick forces or the like

Abstract

The present invention features a simulator apparatus and method for realistically simulating actual forces at the horizontal stabilizer trim controls of an aircraft. The invention features a closed-loop, microprocessor-based programmable system with reduced mechanical, electromechanical, and/or hydraulic components. The microprocessor computes the required reaction forces using a softward model of the horizontal stabilizer trim system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for simulating horizontal stabilizer trim control in an aircraft, comprising:

a) pilot-actuated control means for moving simulated horizontal stabilizers, said pilot-actuated control means being movable through a range of travel by an applied force from a pilot;

b) counter force producing means connected to said pilot-actuated control means for producing a force simulating aerodynamic forces resisting movement of said simulated horizontal stabilizers;

c) torque sensing means operatively connected to said pilot-actuated control means and said counter force producing means for providing an output signal related to said force applied by said pilot to said pilot-actuated control means;

d) a transducer operatively connected to said pilot-actuated control means, said counter force producing means and said torque sensing means for producing an output signal related to a position within said range of travel of said pilot-actuated control means;

e) stabilizer position indicating means operatively connected to said pilot-actuated control means, said counter force producing means, and said torque sensing means for indicating a position of said simulated horizontal stabilizers, said stabilizer position indicating means generating a signal related to an indicated position;

AND

f) processing means operatively connected to said pilot-actuated control means, said counter force producing means, said stabilizer position indicating means, said transducer and said torque sensing means for receiving signals from said torque sensing means, said transducer and said stabilizer position indicating means, and, in response thereto, generating output signals for controlling simulated aerodynamic forces against said pilot-actuated control means, whereby a pilot can be trained to trim said horizontal stabilizers of an aircraft.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said processing means contains a program containing parameters for a particular aircraft, said parameters being reprogrammable to provide flight simulation control for another particular aircraft.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said program parameters include coulombic friction, cable stretch, inertia, position limits, manual and autopilot motor velocities, the control to surface gearing, aerodynamic forces, lost motion, clutch force and system malfunction information.

4. A method of flight simulation for control of horizontal stabilizer trim, comprising the steps of:

a) setting/inputting current flight maneuver parameters for an aircraft into a computer for processing flight simulation data and information;

b) computing the required force and rate for a simulated horizontal stabilizer trim control;

c) reading the current force, rate and position of said simulated horizontal stabilizer trim control;

d) updating position data;

e) determining whether the required force is equal to the current force read in step (c); and

f) issuing a run command to stabilize said simulated horizontal stabilizer trim controls;

g) determining whether travel limits have been exceeded by said simulated horizontal stabilizer trim control; and

if said travel limits have not been exceeded, issuing said run command in accordance with step (f);

determining whether there is a runaway condition for said simulated hoirzontal stabilizer trim control; and

if there is a runaway condition, issuing an abort command.