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:
Aug. 29, 2006
Filed:
Mar. 21, 2003
Michael J. Augustin, Fort Worth, TX (US);
Allen L. Bertapelle, Arlington, TX (US);
Mark E. Dreier, Arlington, TX (US);
Bradley D. Linton, Mansfield, TX (US);
William L. Mckeown, Euless, TX (US);
Robert D. Yeary, Arlington, TX (US);
Michael J. Augustin, Fort Worth, TX (US);
Allen L. Bertapelle, Arlington, TX (US);
Mark E. Dreier, Arlington, TX (US);
Bradley D. Linton, Mansfield, TX (US);
William L. McKeown, Euless, TX (US);
Robert D. Yeary, Arlington, TX (US);
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, TX (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for tactile cueing of aircraft controls () is disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention warns pilots of approaching limits on certain aircraft performance parameters. The most common warnings are for rotor speed exceeding a moving limit. The present invention uses tactile cueing through the collective stick (). Tactile cueing means that the pilot does not need to scan the intruments to ascertain proximity to the aforementioned limits. Instead, the pilot can operate the aircraft within proper limits by touch, while maintaining situational awareness outside of the cockpit (). The method and apparatus of the present invention provides customary friction resistance up to a limit position that is continuously updated. According to the present invention, continued motion of the collective () in a direction beyond that limit position results in a breakout force and an increasing resistive force.