Control system and method with multiple linked inputs
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for linking input control signals, comprising:
- receiving a first force signal corresponding to a first force applied to a first aircraft controller;
receiving a second force signal corresponding to a second force applied to a second aircraft controller; and
linking the first force signal and the second force signal by performing the following functions;
if a difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is within a selected limit range, directing a first control signal corresponding to a combination of the first and second force signals; and
if the difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is outside the selected limit range, directing a second control signal that at least partially discounts the first force signal.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for linking input control signals, such as control signals used to control aspects of aircraft operation. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving first and second force signals corresponding to first and second forces applied to first and second controllers. The method can further include directing first and second position signals to the first and second controllers to move the first and second controllers to approximately the same positions. Each force signal is transmitted along a signal path, and the signal paths can be linked at a point where the signals on each path correspond to a quantity other that a position of a controller. The signal paths can be linked such that only one of the forces must exceed a threshold value for both controllers to be moved, and if one of the forces is outside a selected limit range, that force can be at least partially discounted.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for linking input control signals, comprising:
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receiving a first force signal corresponding to a first force applied to a first aircraft controller; receiving a second force signal corresponding to a second force applied to a second aircraft controller; and linking the first force signal and the second force signal by performing the following functions; if a difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is within a selected limit range, directing a first control signal corresponding to a combination of the first and second force signals; and if the difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is outside the selected limit range, directing a second control signal that at least partially discounts the first force signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer-implemented method for linking signals from a first aircraft controller having a first neutral position and a second aircraft controller having a second neutral position, the method comprising:
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receiving a first force signal corresponding to a first force applied to the first aircraft controller; receiving a second force signal corresponding to a second force applied to the second aircraft controller; and linking the first force signal and the second force signal by performing the following functions; if a difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is within a selected limit range, directing a first control signal to control a state of a flight control surface, the first control signal corresponding to a combination of the first and second force signals; and if the first force signal is outside the selected limit range, directing a second control signal to control a state of a flight control surface, the second control signal at least partially discounting the first force signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer-implemented method for linking signals from a first aircraft controller having a first neutral position and a second aircraft controller having a second neutral position, the method comprising:
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receiving a first force signal corresponding to a first force applied to the first aircraft controller; if the first force signal exceeds a threshold value, directing a first position demand signal to the first aircraft controller to move the first aircraft controller to a first controller position and directing a second position demand signal to a second controller to move the second aircraft controller to a second controller position, the first controller position being displaced from the first neutral position by a first distance, the second controller position being displaced from the second neutral position by a second distance at least approximately equal to the first distance; receiving a second force signal corresponding to a second force applied to the second aircraft controller; and linking the first and second force signals by performing the following functions; if a difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is within a selected limit range, directing a first control signal to control a state of a flight control surface, the first control signal corresponding to a combination of the first and second force signals and being independent of whether or not the second force signal exceeds the threshold value; and if the difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is outside the selected limit range, directing a second control signal to control the state of the flight control surface, the second control signal at least partially discounting the first force signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A computer-readable medium the contents of which cause a computer to perform a method for linking signals from a first aircraft controller having a first neutral position and a second aircraft controller having a second neutral position, the method comprising:
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receiving a first force signal corresponding to a first force applied to the first aircraft controller; receiving a second force signal corresponding to a second force applied to the second aircraft controller; if the first force signal exceeds a threshold value, directing a first position demand signal to the first aircraft controller to move the first aircraft controller to a first controller position and directing a second position demand signal to a second controller to move the second aircraft controller to a second controller position, the first controller position being displaced from the first neutral position by a first distance, the second controller position being displaced from the second neutral position by a second distance at least approximately equal to the first distance; and linking the first force signal and the second force signal by performing the following functions; if a difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is within a selected limit range, directing a control signal to control a state of a flight control surface, the first control signal corresponding to a combination of the first and second force signals and being independent of whether or not the second force signal exceeds the threshold value; and if the difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is outside the selected limit range, directing a second control signal to control the state of the flight control surface, the second control signal at least partially discounting the first force signal. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A system for controlling an aircraft flight control surface, comprising:
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a first aircraft controller having a first input device configured to receive a first operator'"'"'s input command, the first input device being coupled to a first sensor to sense a force applied to the first input device, the first input device being coupled to a first motor to move the first input device from a first neutral position; a second aircraft controller having a second input device configured to receive a second operator'"'"'s input command, the second input device being coupled to a second sensor to sense a force applied to the second input device, the second input device being coupled to a second motor to move the second input device from a second neutral position; and a computer-readable medium operatively coupled to the first and second aircraft controllers, the computer-readable medium being configured to; receive a first force signal corresponding to a first force applied to the first aircraft controller; receive a second force signal corresponding to a second force applied to the second aircraft controller; and link the first and second force signals by performing the following functions; if a difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is within a selected limit range, direct a first control signal to control a state of the aircraft flight control surface, the first control signal corresponding to a combination of the first and second force signals; and if a difference between the first force signal and the second force signal is outside the selected limit range, direct a second control signal to control a state of the aircraft flight control surface, the second control signal at least partially discounting the first force signal. - View Dependent Claims (35)
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Specification