Automatic flight control systems and methods
US10175698B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0055
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An aircraft flight control system and method are provided. The system provides a control module that receives inertial data, sensor data, and a target airspeed. The control module processes the received data with aircraft thrust and drag models to evaluate the aircraft energy state. Based on the aircraft energy state, the control module determines (i) a maximum predicted potential flight path “max PPFP”, defined by a maximum thrust at the target airspeed, and (ii) an idle predicted potential flight path, “idle PPFP,” defined by an idle thrust at the target airspeed. The control module generates display commands for a display system to display (i) the flight path angle, (ii) the max PPFP and (iii) the idle PPFP. In addition, the control module generates and displays a predicted flight path speed indicator (PFPS) when the FPA is above the max PPFP or below the idle PPFP.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.