Self-contained multifunctional LCD flight indicator

• US 5,896,098 A
• Filed: 10/09/1997
• Issued: 04/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universal Avionics Systems Corporation (Elbit Systems Limited), L-3 Communications Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Display Technologies
• Inventors: Strickling, James E. III, Goode, Joseph W. III
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US08/948,000
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 340/961, 340/971, 340/973, 340/975, 340/977, 340/945, 340/979, 340/984, 340/974, 345/87, 345/102, 359/83, 359/48, 359/49, 359/50, 701/3, 701/4, 701/8, 701/9
• US Class Current: 340/974
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/005 Flight directors indicating arrangements specially adapted for rotary gyroscopes G01C19/32

Abstract

A liquid crystal display flight indicator unit having the capability to display a horizontal situation indicator (HSI) or an attitude direction indicator (ADI) on the viewing area of the same unit. Signals from existing aircraft electronics are processed to determine whether the incoming signal is an HSI or ADI graphical image to be displayed on the viewing area. A unique component layout is described to enable HSI and ADI to be contained within a unit having a chassis size not larger than previously known HSI and ADI units.

Claims

1. A flight indicator for use as an HSI or an ADI, and for use in an aircraft having electrical wiring for relaying ADI signals and electrical wiring for relaying HSI signals, comprising:

a display;

a predetermined pin connection arrangement on said display having ADI pin connections and HSI pin connections and wherein said pin connection arrangement contains common pin connections for receiving signals common to both ADI and HSI signals;

a processing means in electrical communication with said ADI pin connections and said HSI pin connections, including said common pin connections, of said pin connection arrangement;

wherein said electrical wiring for relaying ADI signals is electrically connected to an ADI adapter for engaging said ADI pin connections, including said common pin connections, of said pin connection arrangement;

wherein said electrical wiring for relaying HSI signals is electrically connected to an HSI adapter for engaging said HSI pin connections, including said common pin connections, of said pin connection arrangement;

wherein said pin connection arrangement is adapted to alternatively engage said ADI adapter or said HSI adapter;

wherein said display is in electrical communication with said processing means; and

wherein said flight indicator functions as an ADI when said ADI adapter is engaged to said ADI pin connections, including said common pin connections, on said pin connection arrangement and wherein said flight indicator functions as a HSI when said HSI adapter is engaged to said HSI pin connections, including said common pin connections, of said pin connection arrangement.

2. A flight indicator for use as an HSI or an ADI, and for use in an aircraft having electrical wiring for relaying ADI signals and electrical wiring for relaying HSI signals comprising:

a display;

a predetermined pin connection arrangement on said display having ADI pin connections and HSI pin connections and wherein said pin connection arrangement contains common pin connections for receiving signals common to both ADI and HSI signals; and

a processor in electrical communication with said ADI pin connections and said HSI pin connections, including said common pin connections, of said pin connection arrangement;

wherein said electrical wiring for relaying ADI signals is electrically connected to an ADI adapter for engaging said ADI pin connections, including said common pin connections, of said pin connection arrangement;

wherein said electrical wiring for relaying HSI signals is electrically connected to an HSI adapter for engaging said HSI pin connections, including said common pin connections, of said pin connection arrangement;

wherein said pin connection arrangement is adapted to alternatively engage said ADI adapter or said HSI adapter;

wherein said display is in electrical communication with said processor; and

wherein said flight indicator functions as an ADI when said ADI adapter is engaged to said ADI pin connections, including said common pin connections, on said pin connection arrangement and wherein said flight indicator functions as a HSI when said HSI adapter is engaged to said HSI pin connections, including said common pin connections, of said pin connection arrangement.

3. A method for alternatively providing an ADI and an HSI display, comprising the steps of:

providing a display unit having a pin connection arrangement containing ADI pin connections and HSI pin connections, said pin connection arrangement having common pin connections for receiving signals common to both ADI and HSI signals and wherein said pin connection arrangement is adapted to alternatively receive an HSI adapter or an ADI adapter;

connecting said ADI adapter to said ADI and common pin connections of said pin connection arrangement when an ADI display is desired, said ADI adapter being connected to internal aircraft wiring for producing ADI signals;

connecting said HSI adapter to said HSI and common pin connections of said pin connection arrangement when an HSI display is desired, said HSI adapter being connected to internal aircraft wiring for producing HSI signals;

processing signals received at said pin connection arrangement; and

displaying an ADI display if ADI signals are received at said pin connection arrangement and displaying an HSI display if HSI signals are received at said pin connection arrangement.