Method and apparatus for flight control of tiltrotor aircraft
US9851723B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64C29/0033
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus provide for automatically controlling the flight of a tiltrotor aircraft while the aircraft is in flight that is at least partially rotor-borne. The method and apparatus provide for automatically tilting nacelles in response to a longitudinal-velocity control signal so as to produce a longitudinal thrust-vector component for controlling longitudinal velocity of the aircraft. Simultaneously, cyclic swashplate controls are automatically actuated so as to maintain the fuselage in a desired pitch attitude. The method and apparatus also provide for automatically actuating the cyclic swashplate controls for each rotor in response to a lateral-velocity control signal so as to produce a lateral thrust-vector component for controlling lateral velocity of the aircraft. Simultaneously, collective swashplate controls for each rotor are automatically actuated so as to maintain the fuselage in a desired roll attitude. The method and apparatus provide for yaw control through differential longitudinal thrust produced by tilting the nacelles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.