Aircraft Autothrottle Interface With Virtual Detent Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autothrottle systems in small aircraft are impractical due to their complexity and cost, lacking integration with comprehensive flight management systems, and require significant space and weight accommodations, making them difficult to retrofit into existing aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A compact autothrottle system with a power-control input mechanism, an autothrottle controller, and an actuator that dynamically adjusts throttle settings, including a virtual detent feature for intuitive pilot interface, allowing for haptic feedback and mode switching, enabling efficient and safe autothrottle control without the need for extensive modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional autothrottle systems are implemented in small aircraft, then automated throttle control is achieved, but the system requires significant space and weight accommodations that are not available on small aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical autothrottle actuators with an electrical motor system. The motor (240) is coupled to the power control lever (202) through a flexible coupling (236) and drives the lever directly without complex mechanical linkages. This substitution of mechanical components with an electrical motor reduces the overall weight and spatial requirements of the autothrottle system, making it suitable for small aircraft with limited weight and space margins.
2Extent of automation
If traditional autothrottle systems are implemented in small aircraft, then automated throttle control is achieved, but the system requires significant space accommodations that are not available on small aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical autothrottle actuators with a compact electrical motor system. The motor (240) with flexible coupling (236) requires minimal space compared to conventional hydraulic or mechanical actuation systems. This allows the autothrottle system to be installed in small aircraft cockpits without requiring significant space accommodations or modifications to the existing throttle lever architecture.
3Loss of information
If virtual detent force is applied to indicate control target setting, then pilot awareness of target setting is improved, but the force may interfere with manual pilot control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic virtual detent force system where the magnitude and presence of the force are controlled based on the autothrottle system state. When the autothrottle is disengaged, no detent force is applied, allowing free manual pilot control. When engaged, the detent force dynamically appears to indicate the control target setting, providing haptic feedback to the pilot. This dynamic switching ensures the force enhances awareness when needed without interfering with manual control when the pilot operates the throttle independently.
4Measurement precision
If autothrottle system is engaged to control throttle setting, then automated control accuracy is improved, but pilot ability to manually override is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic control mode where the autothrottle system can be engaged or disengaged. When engaged, the motor (240) provides precise automated throttle control by driving the power control lever (202) to the calculated control target setting. When disengaged, the flexible coupling (236) allows the pilot to manually move the lever without resistance from the motor, providing full manual override capability. The system dynamically switches between these states based on pilot input and flight conditions, ensuring both automated precision and manual control authority are available when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces pilot workload, enhances flight safety, and allows for intuitive control of engine power, maintaining a safe flight envelope while being adaptable to various aircraft types without the need for extensive modifications or additional weight.
Implementation Method 1
The virtual detent is operative, at least when the autothrottle is in a disengaged state for autothrottle control, to indicate the control target setting to the pilot via a haptic effect that applies a detent force opposing motion of the PCL
Data Source
AI summary
An autothrottle for an aircraft that includes a power-control input (PCL) manually movable by a pilot along a travel path to effect a throttle setting that controls engine power of the aircraft. The autothrottle determines a control-target setting for a throttle of the aircraft and dynamically adjusts the throttle according to the control-target setting, including moving the PCL to achieve the control-target setting. A virtual detent is set and dynamically adjusted at positions along a travel path of the PCL corresponding to the control-target setting. The virtual detent is operative, at least when the autothrottle is in a disengaged state for autothrottle control, to indicate the control-target setting to the pilot via a haptic effect that applies a detent force opposing motion of the PCL in response to the PCL achieving the position of the virtual detent.