Aircraft emergency handling
First Claim
1. A method of assisting a pilot in management of an emergency condition in an aircraft, comprising:
- (a) accepting an indication of the presence of an emergency condition;
(b) determining a specific emergency condition from a plurality of possible emergency conditions;
(c) automatically controlling a plurality of operating parameters of the aircraft responsive to the specific emergency condition.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and apparatuses that reduce pilot workload and increase the performance and efficiency of the pilot'"'"'s control of the aircraft. The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses for determining the presence and type of an emergency condition, for example by detecting corresponding sensor outputs or by accepting input from a pilot or a combination thereof; and then responding to that emergency by initiating a pre-determined set of actions specific to the determined emergency. Embodiments of the invention can include the ability to monitor engine conditions as well as control electrical functions such as the fuel boost pump, alternator field, battery contactor and other important electrical devices. Some examples described below assume a single-engine piston aircraft for ease of illustration. The invention can also be applied to multi engine and turbine powered aircraft as well.
35 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of assisting a pilot in management of an emergency condition in an aircraft, comprising:
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(a) accepting an indication of the presence of an emergency condition; (b) determining a specific emergency condition from a plurality of possible emergency conditions; (c) automatically controlling a plurality of operating parameters of the aircraft responsive to the specific emergency condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for assisting a pilot of an aircraft in the management of an emergency condition, comprising:
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(a) an emergency presence element, configured to determine the presence of an emergency condition from sensor signals, pilot input, or a combination thereof; (b) an emergency determination element, configured to determine a specific emergency condition from sensor signals, pilot input, or a combination thereof; (c) a response element, configured to automatically control a plurality of operating parameters responsive to the specific emergency condition. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification