Multi-mode unmanned and manned vehicle systems and methods

• US 7,784,741 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2008
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Cerchie, Dino A., Dockter, Gregory E., Hardesty, William Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins; Timothy D
• Assistant Examiner(s): KREINER, MICHAEL B
• Application Number:
  US12/135,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20090045296A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 244/17.11, 244/75.1, 244/76.R, 244/190, 244/189, 244/194, 244/196, 244/197, 244/17.13
• US Class Current: 244/197
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/22 readily revertible to personal control
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/341 having duplication or stand-by provisions
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/343 overriding of personal controls; with automatic return to inoperative position
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/505 having duplication or stand-by provisions
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/506 overriding of personal controls; with automatic return to inoperative position
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 13/507 with artificial feel
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/17 Helicopters flying platforms B64U10/13
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0044 by providing the operator with a computer generated representation of the environment of the vehicle, e.g. virtual reality, maps maps used for automatic navigation G05D1/0274; flight directors G01C23/005

Abstract

An apparatus for converting a manned aircraft of a type including at least one pilot control capable of manipulation to affect operation of the aircraft for unmanned flight operations includes first and second actuators, each configured to selectively provide movement or resistance to movement in a first manner including linear or rotational motion, first and second clutches, each configured to selectively couple movement of the associated actuator to the pilot control, and a vehicle controller capable of being selectively enabled to operate the pilot control actuators and clutches and thereby provide unmanned operation of the aircraft, or of being disabled, thereby providing for manned operation of the aircraft. The first actuator has a first scope describing a first amount of allowable movement, while the second actuator has a second scope larger than the first scope.

Claims

1. A method for converting a manned aircraft for unmanned flight operations, the aircraft being of a type including a pilot control capable of being manipulated by a human pilot to affect operation of the aircraft, the method comprising:

mounting a first actuator aboard the aircraft, the first actuator being configured to selectively provide at least one of movement and resistance to movement of the pilot control in a first manner including at least one of linear and rotational motion and having a first scope describing a first amount of allowable movement;

coupling the first actuator to the pilot control with a first clutch configured to selectively couple and decouple movement of the first actuator to and from the pilot control;

mounting a second actuator aboard the aircraft, the second actuator being configured to selectively provide at least one of movement and resistance to movement of the pilot control in the first manner and having a second scope larger than the first scope;

coupling the second actuator to the pilot control with a second clutch, the second clutch being configured to selectively couple and decouple movement of the second actuator to and from the pilot control independently of the first actuator; and

,

mounting a vehicle controller aboard the aircraft, the vehicle controller being configured to operate the first actuator, the first clutch, the second actuator, and the second clutch to selectively manipulate the pilot control,

wherein the vehicle controller is capable of being selectively enabled so as to operate the pilot control actuators and clutches and thereby provide unmanned operation of the aircraft, and of being disabled during flight so as to provide for manned operation of the aircraft by the human pilot.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

mounting a flight control computer aboard the aircraft, the flight computer being configured to execute a mission program for operating the pilot control actuators and clutches via the vehicle controller to pilot the aircraft according to the mission program; and

,

operably coupling the flight control computer to the vehicle controller.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

mounting an external communications unit aboard the aircraft, the external communications unit being configured to communicate aircraft command and status signals between the vehicle controller and a remote location; and

,

operably coupling the external communications unit to the vehicle controller.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the aircraft is one selected from the group consisting of a helicopter and an airplane.