Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Thomas M Gordon

Timothy J Etherington

Stephen R Johnson

C Scott Cole

A device for enhancing altitude awareness in an avionics display is disclosed. The device includes an altitude indicator that displays a current altitude on the avionics display. A scrolling display of altitude levels is displayed with the altitude indicator on the avionics display. The scrolling display includes a plurality of scaled numbers that represent predetermined intervals of altitude levels surrounding the current altitude. The scrolling display also includes a non-numeric graphic construct that is displayed adjacent the plurality of scaled numbers. The graphic construct has first and second substantially mirror-image portions that are positioned on first and second opposing sides of the plurality of scaled numbers. A controller causes the altitude indicator to display the current altitude on the avionics display. The controller also causes the scrolling display to display the predetermined intervals of altitude levels surrounding the current altitude and to vary the graphic construct consistent with the predetermined altitude levels that are displayed. A vertical speed indicator may be superimposed upon the scrolling display.

Altitude tape and integral vertical speed indicator

An avionics system with a common sensor detector that includes analog sensors for sensing flight parameters of an aircraft and for providing sensor signals indicative of the flight parameters. Avionics computers compute flight parameter data associated with the sensor signals from the analog sensors. A primary flight display receives, processes, and displays the flight parameter data. The primary flight display includes inside limit data comparators to compare the flight parameter data from at least a same pair of flight computers to indicate a common sensor fault condition when the flight parameter data difference is zero or approximately zero for a predetermined period of time. Other safety critical systems may employ the common sensor detector.

Safety critical system with a common sensor detector

Disclosed are avionics systems and methods of using the same to monitor a pitot-static system for blockages. A first aircraft movement rate is calculated as a function of a pressure sensed using the pitot-static system. A reference movement rate is calculated using an independent navigation system such as an inertial reference system, a global positioning system, or an attitude heading reference system. The calculated first aircraft movement rate is compared to the calculated reference movement rate to determine whether the calculated first aircraft movement rate falls within a predetermined tolerance range about the calculated reference movement rate. If the calculated first aircraft movement rate falls outside of the predetermined tolerance range about the calculated reference aircraft movement rate, it is determined that a blockage exists in at least one of a pitot tube or a static port of the pitot-static system.

Blocked pitot-static monitor

A remote menuing system uses a control knob to select menu items on a display screen. The menu items may be selected by depressing a switch, the switch being integrated with the control knob. Once the menu item has been selected, an operator may modify the value of the selected item by rotating the control knob. When a desired value is displayed, the item may be set by again depressing the switch integrated with the control knob. The use of an integrated control knob and switch, provides ease of use of a menu system while allowing the integrated knob to be located away from the display screen.

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Ely, IA, United States of America

Thomas M Gordon