Patent · US Active

Rotorcraft advanced autopilot control arrangement and methods

US10843796B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
47References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 8, 2013
Grant dateNov 24, 2020
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 30, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T50/40
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An autopilot system includes an actuator arrangement that receives control signals to influence the flight of the helicopter in a selected one of a plurality of different flight modes. A control stick input arrangement allows flight mode selection and control with no more than a particular one of the pilot's hands in the engaged position on the stick and without moving the hand away from the engaged position. A slaved gyro output signal is based on no more than the set of sensor outputs used by the autopilot such that an autopilot display presents autopilot flight mode information while displaying a slaved gyro output. The autopilot provides for pilot selection of one of a subset of the plurality of flight modes which is customized based on a current flight status of the helicopter. An automatic autorotation mode is provided.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.