Multi-mode unmanned and manned vehicle systems and methods
First Claim
1. A method of piloting an aircraft, the method comprising:
- providing an unmodified aircraft having at least one pilot control configured for operation by a pilot for manned operation;
retrofitting the aircraft so as to include a vehicle controller and at least two pilot control actuators arranged in a dual actuator configuration, wherein the vehicle controller is capable of being selectably enabled or disabled during flight of the aircraft to operate the at least two pilot control actuators, and the at least two pilot control actuators are each capable of being selectably coupled to or from the at least one pilot control during flight of the aircraft by an associated, independently controllable clutch and operative to provide an enhanced bandwidth capability;
flying the retrofitted aircraft;
detecting without pilot input whether the vehicle controller is enabled;
and when the vehicle controller is enabled;
sensing at least one aircraft property;
computing a vehicle controller response based on the sensed property; and
piloting the modified aircraft using the vehicle controller by operating the at least two pilot control actuators according to the vehicle controller response.
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Accused Products
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 or from the pilot control during flight, and a vehicle controller capable of being selectively enabled during flight 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.
29 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of piloting an aircraft, the method comprising:
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providing an unmodified aircraft having at least one pilot control configured for operation by a pilot for manned operation; retrofitting the aircraft so as to include a vehicle controller and at least two pilot control actuators arranged in a dual actuator configuration, wherein the vehicle controller is capable of being selectably enabled or disabled during flight of the aircraft to operate the at least two pilot control actuators, and the at least two pilot control actuators are each capable of being selectably coupled to or from the at least one pilot control during flight of the aircraft by an associated, independently controllable clutch and operative to provide an enhanced bandwidth capability; flying the retrofitted aircraft; detecting without pilot input whether the vehicle controller is enabled; and when the vehicle controller is enabled; sensing at least one aircraft property; computing a vehicle controller response based on the sensed property; and piloting the modified aircraft using the vehicle controller by operating the at least two pilot control actuators according to the vehicle controller response. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification