Lockheed Martin Corporation

Joseph H Kaloust

Wendell H Chun

A method includes operating a wheeled vehicle including an articulated suspension system; and articulating the suspension system to skid steer the vehicle. A wheeled vehicle having an articulated suspension system includes a skid steering controller capable of articulating the suspension system to skid steer the vehicle. The skid steering controller may be implemented in software and may, but does not necessarily, include three stages for applying a differential torque, varying the traction of at least one wheel, and finely adjusting the wheel's suspension to approach a critical damped response of the vehicle turning rate with respect to its commanded rate, respectively.

Multi-mode skid steering

An autopilot controller, for controlling a vehicle traveling in a fluid medium, designed for controlling the vehicle in any one of pre stall, stall and post stall regions. The autopilot controller provides an approach for one-to-one mapping between a target command which is received and control surface deflections for effecting the command based on vehicle normal force and vehicle moment response characteristics. In one embodiment, the autopilot controller determines linear functions representative of the vehicle dynamic response for the current operating conditions in order to determine a direction of change of fin deflection for effecting the command. In another embodiment, the autopilot controller controls transverse vehicle accelerations by controlling a body pitch moment generated by a control surface.

Enhanced stall and recovery control system

An autopilot controller, for controlling a vehicle traveling in a fluid medium, designed for controlling the vehicle in any one of pre stall, stall and post stall regions. The autopilot controller provides an approach for one-to-one mapping between a target force or moment command which is received and control surface deflections for effecting the command. In one embodiment, the autopilot controller determines linear functions representative of the vehicle dynamic response for the current operating conditions in order to determine a direction of change of fin deflection for effeeting the command.

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Bedford, TX, United States of America

Joseph H Kaloust