Apparatuses and systems for controlling autoflight systems

• US 7,970,502 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Griffin, John C. III, Boorman, Daniel J., Gunn, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sriraman; Nikhil
• Application Number:
  US12/414,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20100076628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 701/11, 244/76.R, 244/175, 244/194
• US Class Current: 701/11
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for controlling autoflight systems are disclosed herein. An apparatus for use with an aircraft having an autoflight system can include an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the response of the autoflight system to flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes. The autoflight performance selector has at least a first selection and a second selection different than the first selection. Selecting the first selection causes the response of the autoflight system to flight guidance instructions to not exceed a first level in the at least two axes, and selecting the second selection causes the response of the autoflight system to the flight guidance instructions to not exceed a second level in the at least two axes different than the first level.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with an aircraft having an autoflight system capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes, the apparatus comprising:

an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the response of the autoflight system to flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, the autoflight performance selector having at least a first selection and a second selection different than the first selection, wherein selecting the first selection causes the response of the autoflight system to not exceed a first level angle about a first one of the at least two axes and a second angle about a second one of the at least two axes, and wherein selecting the second selection causes the response of the autoflight system to not exceed a third angle about the first one of the at least two axes and a fourth angle about the second one of the at least two axes.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the autoflight performance selector includes a rotary knob having at least a min position and a max position, wherein selecting the min position limits the autoflight system to gentle maneuvers in the pitch and roll axes, and wherein selecting the max position allows the autoflight system to engage in more aggressive maneuvers in the pitch and roll axes.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the aircraft includes a center of gravity and the autoflight performance selector is configured to limit acceleration of the center of gravity relative to a vertical axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an override capability selector, wherein activating the override capability selector disengages the autoflight performance selector.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the autoflight performance selector includes display and a cursor control device, wherein the display presents the first and second selections, and wherein the first and second selections can be selected using the cursor control device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the autoflight performance selector includes a rocker switch having at least a first position and a second position, wherein selecting the first position limits the autoflight system to gentle maneuvers in the pitch and roll axes, and wherein selecting the second position allows the autoflight system to engage in more aggressive maneuvers in the pitch and roll axes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the aircraft includes at least one window positioned forward of a pilot seat, and a glare shield positioned below the window to reduce glare on one or more flight instruments positioned on a forward instrument panel, wherein the apparatus further comprises a display device configured to provide information related to one or more autoflight modes, and wherein the display device and the autoflight performance selector are incorporated into the glare shield.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the aircraft includes at least one window positioned forward of a pilot seat, and a glare shield positioned below the window to reduce glare on one or more flight instruments positioned on a forward instrument panel, wherein the apparatus further comprises a display device operably connected to a flight management computer, wherein the display device receives autoflight mode information from the flight management computer and displays the autoflight mode information as at least one of graphical and textual information, and wherein the display device and the autoflight performance selector are incorporated into the glare shield.

3. An apparatus for use with an aircraft having an autoflight system capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes, the apparatus comprising:

an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the response of the autoflight system to flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, wherein the autoflight performance selector includes a rotary knob having at least a min position and a max position, wherein selecting the min position limits the response of the autoflight system to a first angle about the pitch axis and a second angle about the roll axis, and wherein selecting the max position limits the response of the autoflight system to a third angle about the pitch axis greater than the first angle, and a fourth angle about the roll axis greater than the second angle.

4. An apparatus for use with an aircraft having an autoflight system capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes, the apparatus comprising:

an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the response of the autoflight system to flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, wherein the autoflight performance selector includes a rotary knob having at least a min position and a max position, wherein selecting the min position limits the response of the autoflight system to a first rate of pitch change about the pitch axis and a second rate of roll about the roll axis, and wherein selecting the max position limits the response of the autoflight system to a third rate of pitch change about the pitch axis greater than the first rate, and a fourth rate of roll about the roll axis greater than the second rate.

11. An apparatus for use with an aircraft having an autothrottle and an autopilot capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes, the apparatus comprising:

a flight management computer operably connected to the autothrottle and the autopilot;

a data entry device configured to transmit flight guidance instructions from a pilot to the flight management computer, wherein the flight management computer controls the autothrottle and the autopilot in response to the flight guidance instructions; and

an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to the flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, the autoflight performance selector having at least a first selection and a second selection different than the first selection, wherein selecting the first selection causes the flight management computer to control the autothrottle and the autopilot to not exceed a first rate of rotation about a first one of the at least two axes and a second rate of rotation about a second one of the at least two axes, and wherein selecting the second selection causes the flight management computer to control the autothrottle and the autopilot to not exceed a third rate of rotation about the first one of the at least two axes and a fourth rate of rotation about the second one of the at least two axes.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the autoflight performance selector includes at least a min position and a max position, wherein selecting the min position limits the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to a first level of acceleration about at least one of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, and wherein selecting the max position limits the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to a second level of acceleration, greater than the first level of acceleration, about the at least one axis.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the autoflight performance selector includes at least a min position and a max position, wherein selecting the min position limits the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to a first level of acceleration in the vertical axis, and wherein selecting the max position limits the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to a second level of acceleration, greater than the first level of acceleration, in the vertical axis.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the autoflight performance selector is incorporated into a display device operatively connected to the flight management computer and configured to exchange information with the flight management computer, wherein the display device includes:

a first display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to airspeed;

a second display screen positioned at least approximately adjacent to the first display screen, the second display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to vertical guidance; and

a third display screen positioned at least approximately adjacent to at least one of the first and second display screens, the third display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to lateral guidance.

12. An apparatus for use with an aircraft having an autothrottle and an autopilot capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes, the apparatus comprising:

a flight management computer operably connected to the autothrottle and the autopilot;

a data entry device configured to transmit flight guidance instructions from a pilot to the flight management computer, wherein the flight management computer controls the autothrottle and the autopilot in response to the flight guidance instructions; and

an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to the flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, wherein the autoflight performance selector includes at least a min position and a max position, wherein selecting the min position limits the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to a first rate of pitch change about the pitch axis and a second rate of roll about the roll axis, and wherein selecting the max position limits the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to a third rate of pitch change about the pitch axis greater than the first rate, and a fourth rate of roll about the roll axis greater than the second rate.

16. An autoflight system for use with an aircraft, the autoflight system comprising:

an autothrottle and an autopilot capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes;

a flight management computer operably connected to the autothrottle and the autopilot;

a data entry device configured to receive flight guidance instructions from a pilot and transmit the flight guidance instructions to the flight management computer, wherein the flight management computer controls the autothrottle and the autopilot in response to the flight guidance instructions;

a display device operatively connected to the flight management computer and configured to exchange information with the flight management computer, wherein the display device includes;

a first display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to airspeed;

a second display screen positioned at least approximately adjacent to the first display screen, the second display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to vertical guidance; and

a third display screen positioned at least approximately adjacent to at least one of the first and second display screens, the third display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to lateral guidance; and

an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to the flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, the autoflight performance selector having at least a first position and a second position, wherein selecting the first position limits the autothrottle and the autopilot to a first rate of rotation about the at least two axes, a first angle about a first one of the at least two axes, and a second angle about a second one of the at least two axes, and wherein selecting the second position limits the autothrottle and the autopilot to a second rate of rotation, greater than the first rate of rotation, about the at least two axes, a third angle about the first one of the at least two axes, and a fourth angle about the second one of the at least two axes.

17. The autoflight system of claim 16 wherein the aircraft includes at least one window positioned forward of a pilot seat, and a glare shield positioned below the window to reduce glare on one or more flight instruments positioned on a forward instrument panel, and wherein the display device and the autoflight performance selector are incorporated into the glare shield.

19. The autoflight system of claim 16 wherein the aircraft includes a center of gravity, and wherein the autoflight performance selector is further configured to limit acceleration of the center of gravity.

20. The autoflight system of claim 16, further comprising an override capability selector, wherein activating the override capability selector disengages the autoflight performance selector.

18. An autoflight system for use with an aircraft, the autoflight system comprising:

an autothrottle and an autopilot capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes;

a flight management computer operably connected to the autothrottle and the autopilot;

a data entry device configured to receive flight guidance instructions from a pilot and transmit the flight guidance instructions to the flight management computer, wherein the flight management computer controls the autothrottle and the autopilot in response to the flight guidance instructions;

a display device operatively connected to the flight management computer and configured to exchange information with the flight management computer, wherein the display device includes;

a first display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to airspeed;

a second display screen positioned at least approximately adjacent to the first display screen, the second display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to vertical guidance; and

a third display screen positioned at least approximately adjacent to at least one of the first and second display screens, the third display screen configured to provide autoflight mode information related to lateral guidance; and

an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the dynamic response of the autothrottle and the autopilot to the flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, the autoflight performance selector having at least a first position and a second position, wherein selecting the first position of the autoflight performance selector limits the autothrottle and the autopilot to a first rate of rotation about the at least two axes, a first angle about the pitch axis and a second angle about the roll axis, and wherein selecting the second position of the autoflight performance selector limits the autothrottle and the autopilot to a second rate of rotation, greater than the first rate of rotation, about the at least two axes, a third angle about the pitch axis greater than the first angle, and a fourth angle about the roll axis greater than the second angle.

21. An apparatus for use with an aircraft having an autoflight system capable of controlling the attitude of the aircraft in pitch, roll and yaw axes, the apparatus comprising:

an autoflight performance selector configured to limit the response of the autoflight system to flight guidance instructions in at least two of the pitch, roll and yaw axes, the autoflight performance selector having at least a first selection and a second selection different than the first selection, wherein selecting the first selection limits the response of the autoflight system to a first rate of rotation about a first one of the at least two axes and a second rate of rotation about a second one of the at least two axes, and wherein selecting the second selection limits the response of the autoflight system to a third rate of rotation about the first one of the at least two axes and a fourth rate of rotation about the second one of the at least two axes.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein selecting the first selection limits the autoflight system to gentle maneuvers in the pitch and roll axes, and wherein selecting the second selection allows the autoflight system to engage in more aggressive maneuvers in the pitch and roll axes.