Weight and balance calculator for aircraft

• US 6,275,769 B1
• Filed: 11/01/1999
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rodney Stephen Willis
• Original Assignee: Rodney Stephen Willis
• Inventors: Willis, Rodney Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US09/432,844
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/13, 701/14, 701/124, 244/158.R, 244/117.R, 244/118.1, 244/118.2
• US Class Current: 701/124
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C

Abstract

A hand-held computer that displays the aircraft floor plan with passenger and baggage compartments shown on a pad, with which a pilot can calculate the Center of Gravity (CG) of an aircraft by simply entering the load weights for different areas of an airplane. The floor plan can be changed for different aircraft. Next to each section of the plane is a button that, when pressed, allows a pilot to enter data for that section. As the pilot adds weight to each section, the computer can calculate the CG for the loaded aircraft. The computer can display the total weight, CG and other data related to the plane. The device can also printout the data for use as a manifest or for other documentation purposes. The device is the size and shape of a clipboard. In one version, the floor plan is fixed. In a second version, the floor plan can be changed for different aircraft.

Claims

1. A device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a plurality of data entry buttons, said plurality of data entry buttons in a substantial alignment;

c) an airplane floor plan, being adjacent to said plurality of data entry buttons, whereby said airplane floor plan is divided into a plurality of discrete sections, and further such that one of said plurality of discrete sections aligns with one of said plurality of data entry buttons in a sequential order;

d) a means for entering weight quantities associated with each of said discrete sections;

e) a memory storage system, whereby said memory storage system contains at least a set of structural details for an airplane;

f) a central processing unit; and

g) a means for displaying an output, operatively connected to said central processing unit.

2. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 1, wherein said airplane floor plan is stored in a memory storage system embedded on a removable card.

3. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 1 wherein the means for entering weight quantities includes a numerical keypad.

4. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 1 further comprising a means for printing an output from said device.

5. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 1 wherein a center of gravity for an aircraft is determined by the following equation:

Total Moment (divided by) Total weight=Center of Gravity.

6. A device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a plurality of data entry buttons, said plurality of data entry buttons in a substantial alignment;

c) an airplane floor plan, being adjacent to said plurality of data entry buttons, whereby said airplane floor plan is divided into a plurality of discrete sections, and further such that one of said plurality of discrete sections aligns with one of said plurality of data entry buttons;

d) a means for entering weight quantities associated with each of said discrete sections;

e) a memory storage system, whereby said memory storage system contains at least a set of structural details for an airplane;

f) a central processing unit;

g) a means for displaying an output, operatively connected to said central processing unit;

h) a means for printing data stored within said memory storage system.

7. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 6, wherein said airplane floor plan is stored in said memory storage system within said housing.

8. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 6 wherein the means for entering weight quantities includes a numerical keypad.

9. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 6 wherein a center of gravity for an aircraft is determined by the following equation:

Total Moment (divided by) Total weight=Center of Gravity.

10. A device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft comprising:

a) a housing;

b) a plurality of data entry buttons, said plurality of data entry buttons in a substantial alignment;

c) a receiver slot, within said housing to receive a data card;

d) a data card, having an image of an airplane floor plan formed thereon, and further such that the airplane floor plan is divided into a plurality of discrete sections, and further such that one of said plurality of discrete sections aligns with one of said plurality of data entry buttons;

e) a means for entering weight quantities associated with each of said discrete sections;

f) a memory storage system, whereby said memory storage system contains at least a set of structural details for an airplane;

g) a central processing unit; and

h) a means for displaying an output, operatively connected to said central processing unit.

11. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of data entry cards, each data entry card having a floor plan of an aircraft printed thereon.

12. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 10 further comprising a means from printing an output from said device.

13. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 10 wherein the means for entering weight quantities includes a numerical keypad.

14. The device for determining a center of gravity for an aircraft of claim 10 wherein a center of gravity for an aircraft is determined by the following equation:

Total Moment (divided by) Total weight=Center of Gravity.