Point-and-shoot automatic landing system and method
US9891632B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0676
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A point-and-shoot automatic landing system (P-A-S ALS) realizes safety and mission effectiveness benefits in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, allowing a pilot, using an inceptor device, to select an aim point with an aiming device providing visual indication of the aim point. Once a flight path is computed the pilot may allow the P-A-S ALS to automatically control the flight to touchdown. A suite of ranging devices determines the relative position of the aircraft to the selected aim point and an approach profile guidance algorithm computes the flight path. One or more devices provide confirmation that automatically controlled flight to the selected aim point is achievable. The P-A-S ALS is configured to allow termination of the controlled flight path at any time and selection of a new aim point through the inceptor device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.