Method and system for providing manipulation restraining forces for a stick controller on an aircraft
First Claim
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1. A method of resisting motion of a stick handle of a control stick comprising the steps of:
- providing plurality of springs configured for providing a spring bias against said stick handle; and
, providing a supplementing force to resist a pilot manipulation of said stick, where said supplementing force is in addition to said spring bias and where said supplementing force is accomplished with an electrically controllable force.
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Abstract
A system and method for providing variable motion-resisting loads for a side stick controller on an aircraft where the primary resistive load is provided by a mechanical spring mechanism which is augmented or supplemented by an electric servo motor and electric servo motor linkage system.
37 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of resisting motion of a stick handle of a control stick comprising the steps of:
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providing plurality of springs configured for providing a spring bias against said stick handle; and
,providing a supplementing force to resist a pilot manipulation of said stick, where said supplementing force is in addition to said spring bias and where said supplementing force is accomplished with an electrically controllable force. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A flight control system comprising:
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a first side stick controller configured for providing control of a flight characteristic of an aircraft in response to manipulation by a pilot;
spring means for providing resistance to motion of said first side stick controller in response to said manipulation by a pilot;
electrical means for providing variable resistance to motion of said first side stick controller in response to said manipulation by a pilot; and
said electrical means for providing resistance provides a supplementing force which supplements forces being applied by said spring means. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
an electric servo motor; and
,an electric servo motor linkage disposed between said electric servo motor and a handle of said first side stick controller.
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7. A flight control system of claim 6 further comprising:
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an electric servo amplifier; and
a source of control signals for providing control signals to said electric servo amplifier.
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8. A flight control system of claim 7 further comprising:
a side stick feedback loop configured to provide variable force versus displacement characteristics of said handle of said first side stick controller.
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9. A flight control system of claim 8 wherein said feedback loop is responsive to a position of said handle.
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10. A flight control system of claim 9 wherein said feedback loop is responsive to a force applied on said handle.
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11. A flight control system of claim 4 further comprising:
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a second side stick controller which is configured to at least partially track a position of said first side stick controller, thereby providing one member of a flight crew with both a visual and tactile indication of movement of a side stick controller by another member of the flight crew.
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12. A system comprising:
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a flight control system configured to change flight characteristics of an aircraft;
a stick controller coupled to said flight control system;
where said stick controller provides control signals in response to a manipulation of a stick handle;
a plurality of orthogonal springs configured, to resist manipulation of said stick handle;
an electric servo motor at least indirectly coupled to said stick handle, said electric servo motor configured to, at least Indirectly, provide forces on said stick handle, which supplement forces applied by said plurality of orthogonal springs;
a servo amplifier, coupled to said electric servo motor, configured to provide commands to said electric servo motor in response to stick control signals;
a source of said stick handle control signals; and
,a stick feedback loop configured to provide information relating to a characteristic of said stick handle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification