Vertical gust suppression system for transport aircraft

US8774987B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Vincent M. Walton · Federal Way, US
• Christopher J. Borland · Bellevue, US
• Tze L. Siu · Seattle, US
• Kioumars Najmabadi · Bellevue, US
• Edward E. Coleman · Lake Forest Park, US
• David P. Marquis · Mukilteo, US
• Dianne L. McMullin · Bothell, US
• Kevin H. Milligan · Renton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 17, 2007
• Grant date: Jul 8, 2014
• Expiry date: Jul 8, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64C13/16
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for vertical gust suppression due to turbulence for an aircraft having at least one of direct lift control surfaces or pitch control surfaces. The method includes sensing atmospheric turbulence, measuring the sensed atmospheric turbulence to generate turbulence data, generating a command based on the turbulence data, and applying the command to aircraft controls to actuate the direct lift control surfaces or the pitch control surfaces based on the turbulence data. Therefore, an aircraft response to the actuation of the direct lift control surfaces or the pitch control surfaces reduces a vertical acceleration, a pitch acceleration, a pitch rate, a pitch attitude or a structural load of the aircraft due to the turbulence. Thus, the method reduces the effects of vertical gusts of wind on the aircraft, improves the comfort level for aircraft passengers and crew, and reduces diversions the aircraft may take to avoid the turbulence.