Flight control arrangement using separate fixed-wing and VTOL control modules
US12151801B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2021 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D2109/23
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flight control arrangement for a hybrid aircraft includes a fixed-wing flight (F/W) control module and vertical takeoff/landing flight (VTOL) control module. The F/W control module is an integrated component having a respective network interface connected to an aircraft data network via which it provides fixed-wing control output to network-connected fixed-wing flight components including one or more horizontal-thrust components. The VTOL control module is also an integrated component having a respective network interface to the aircraft data network via which the VTOL control module (1) observes flight status as reflected in network messages originated by the fixed-wing flight control module, and (2) based on the observed flight status, generates VTOL control output to network-connected VTOL flight components including one or more vertical-thrust components, to control VTOL flight as well as transitions to and from fixed-wing flight.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.