Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

Textron Innovations Inc.

Bradley Don Linton

Travis L Yates

Chad Richard Haugeberg

Robert Earl Worsham, Ii

Luke Dafydd Gillett

Jillian Samantha Alfred

Charles Eric Covington

William L McKeown

Thomas Earl Johnson, Jr

Mark E Dreier

Michael J Augustin

Allen L Bertapelle

Robert D Yeary

Thomas Earl Johnson Jr

Chad R Haugeberg

William L Mckeown

Robert Earl Worsham Ii

Luke Dayfdd Gillett

A device to verify main rotor swashplate positioning includes an inner surface of a first section and a gradient surface of a second section. The gradient surface of the second section may have a plurality of graduation indications. In one implementation, the inner surface of the first section at least partially defines a travel arc that is parallel to and concentric with the inner surface. In such an implementation, the device may be configured to move along the travel arc as it rotates about a collective sleeve to contact a swashplate lug.

Devices and methods to verify main rotor swashplate positioning

An rotorcraft including a pilot control, a pilot control position sensor connected to the pilot control and operable to generate a position signal indicating a position of the pilot control, a flight control computer (FCC) in signal communication with the pilot control position sensor and operable to provide a tactile cue in the pilot control in response to the position signal indicating the position of the pilot control exceeds a threshold associated with an operating limit, and further operable to determine a tactile cueing value for the tactile cue according to a relationship between the position of the pilot control and the threshold, and generate a cue control signal according to the tactile cueing value, and a tactile cue element connected to the pilot control and in signal communication with the FCC and operable to control action of the pilot control in response to the cue control signal.

System and method for tactile cueing through rotorcraft pilot controls using variable friction and force gradient

A device to verify tail rotor cross-head positioning is disclosed. The device comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion may be adjoined to the first portion and comprises maximum and minimum surfaces configured to determine whether a yoke-measuring surface of a tail rotor yoke may be positioned between respective geometric planes of the maximum and minimum surfaces.

Devices and methods to verify tail rotor cross-head positioning

A rotorcraft including a control element, a control sensor connected to the control element, where the control sensor is operable to generate trim data indicating a displacement of the control element in relation to a trim position of the control element, and a flight control computer (FCC) operable to monitor the trim data and determine an active detent state of the control element. The active detent state is one of an in-detent state, an out-of-detent state, and an in-transition state. The FCC is operable to buffer a transition of the active detent state from the in-detent state to the out-of-detent state using the in-transition state. The FCC provides a first flight management function when the active detent state is the in-detent state or the in-transition state, and provides a second flight management function when the active detent state is the out-of-detent state.

System and method for pilot-in-control sensing in a rotorcraft

According to one embodiment, a method of adjusting an aircraft pedal assembly includes providing a pedal linkage coupled between a pedal and an attachment assembly situated proximate to an aircraft instrument panel. A brake cylinder is provided coupled between the pedal and the attachment assembly. The pedal linkage is rotated in response to an adjustment input. The pedal linkage is maintained approximately parallel to the brake cylinder during rotation of the pedal linkage.

Pilot control system with adjustable pedals

According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a post, a grip, and a shaft. The post has a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom. The shaft has a first end coupled proximate to the body below the top and a second end opposite the first end coupled to the grip. The shaft positions at least part of the grip directly over the top of the post.

Pilot control system with pendent grip

According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a post, a grip, and a hand rest. The post has a top, a bottom, and a body joining the top to the bottom. The grip is positioned at least partially above the post and is movable along at least one arc. The hand rest is coupled to the top and comprises an upper surface having a profile corresponding to the at least one arc.

Pilot control system with hand rest

According to one embodiment, a control assembly includes a first gimbal and a second gimbal. The first gimbal is rotatable about a first axis of rotation. The first gimbal comprises a first linkage attachment point offset from the first axis of rotation. The second gimbal is rotatably coupled to the first gimbal and rotatable relative to the first gimbal about a second axis of rotation. The second gimbal comprises a second linkage attachment point offset from the second axis of rotation and a control shaft attachment point.

Pilot control system with compact gimbal mechanism

According to one embodiment, an integrated aircraft trim assembly features a shaft, a mechanical stop, a trim motor, a clutch, and a measurement device. The mechanical stop device is operable to at least partially prevent rotation of the shaft outside of an allowable range of motion. The trim motor has an output component in mechanical communication with the shaft. The clutch separates the trim motor from the shaft. The measurement device is proximate to the shaft and operable to measure a position of the shaft and communicate the measured position to a flight control computer operable to change a position of a flight control device.

Growing community of inventors

Mansfield, TX, United States of America

Bradley Don Linton