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Rotorcraft autopilot and methods

  • US 9,758,244 B2
  • Filed: 02/04/2016
  • Issued: 09/12/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. As part of an autopilot for providing automatic control of a helicopter by actuating one or more flight controls of the helicopter, an actuator arrangement comprising:

  • at least one electric motor including an output shaft and a motor coil arrangement for receiving a drive current that produces rotation of the output shaft;

    an actuator linkage that is operatively coupled between the output shaft of the motor and the flight controls such that rotation of the output shaft produces a corresponding movement of the actuator linkage and the flight controls; and

    a motor drive arrangement that is operable to provide said drive current from a power source during normal operation of the autopilot and at least for shorting the motor coil arrangement responsive to a failure of the power source such that the motor provides a braking force on said actuator linkage that serves to stabilize the flight of the helicopter during said power failure.

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