The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 24, 1987
Filed:
May. 23, 1984
Kenneth W McElreath, Cedar Rapids, IA (US);
Rockwell International Corporation, El Segundo, CA (US);
Abstract
There is disclosed a system and technique which enables an aircraft (helicopter or VTOL) to be more easily controlled for maintaining precise position or velocity in a hover condition. The system includes operational logic and decision making circuitry which reduces pilot workload by sensing pilot intent based upon the control stick movement and mode selection of the aircraft. The system will automatically hold a given hover position, automatically hold a given hover velocity (ground speed), or allow the aircraft to be manually maneuvered to a new desired hover position or velocity. The system also enables the aircraft to either hold a new velocity or return to a previous velocity. This is all controlled through the automatic flight control system and by sensing the force or displacement of a pilot's control stick in the aircraft. Upon release of the manual force applied by the pilot to the control stick, the stick returns to a neutral position and the control logic recognizes pilot intent to maintain a given hover velocity or position.