Apparatus and methods for providing rapid protection from accelerative

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for increasing the tolerance level of an aircraft aircrew member to G forces by providing a rapid response to the onset of the normal accelerative forces to inflate an anti-G suit worn by the aircrew member. An electronic controller controls a servo valve which in turn controls a main valve for regulating the flow of gas into the inflatable G suit. The G suit is worn by the aircraft crew member to prevent pooling of blood in the lower portion of the body during aircraft maneuvers when G forces are experienced. The electronic controller receives a first input indicative of the amount of force applied to the control stick of the aircraft by the crew member, and a second input indicative of measured accelerative forces which are normal to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The electronic controller, preferably a microprocessor based controller, is responsive to the first input, and includes a programmable memory for storing data defining a schedule of the anticipated accelerative force levels which the aircraft will experience as a function of the applied control stick force. The microprocessor is programmed to decrease the anticipated accelerative force levels at a predetermined rate which is approximately equivalent to the rate of increase of measured accelerative forces. The anticipated force level is added to the actual accelerative force level to produce a command output for controlling the servo valve and/or for controlling a pressure regulator to initiate positive pressure breathing in a breathing device worn by the aircrew member.