Electronically Coupled Flight Controls for Remote Instructor Intervention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flight simulators lack efficient electronic coupling solutions for remote instructor-student interactions, limiting the ability to intervene and provide real-time feedback in pilot training.
Innovation Solution
A flight simulation system with electronic coupling of controls that allows virtual coupling between an instructor and student consoles, using torque sensors and virtual stability augmentation systems to replicate aircraft behavior and integrate autopilot features, enabling remote instruction over various distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical coupling is used between instructor and student seats, then real-time intervention capability is improved, but simulator size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical coupling system with an electronic control system. The instructor station and student station are connected through electronic signals rather than physical mechanical linkages. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical transmission components while maintaining the real-time control capability, thereby reducing simulator size and cost while preserving intervention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic control system as an intermediary between the instructor and student stations. This intermediary translates instructor inputs into electronic signals that control the student station's flight controls, enabling remote intervention without direct mechanical coupling. The electronic intermediary allows flexible positioning and reduces the need for physical space and complex mechanical structures.
2Productivity
If remote instructor location is implemented, then personnel expense and travel cost decrease, but control intervention capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electronic control systems to replace mechanical linkages, enabling the instructor to be located remotely without compromising control capability. Electronic signals can be transmitted over any distance instantaneously, maintaining full intervention capability while allowing the instructor to be positioned anywhere within the system's electronic communication range, thereby eliminating travel costs and increasing personnel efficiency.
3Device complexity
If electronic coupling is used between control elements, then simulator size is reduced, but force feedback accuracy may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces force sensors and control systems as intermediaries to measure and replicate physical forces electronically. These intermediaries detect actual force values at the student controls and transmit this information to the instructor station, where equivalent forces are generated and fed back to the student. This electronic intermediary system maintains force feedback accuracy while enabling compact simulator design without mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where force sensors measure the actual forces applied at the student controls, this information is transmitted electronically to the instructor station, and the instructor's responses are converted back into force feedback for the student. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that force feedback accuracy is maintained despite the absence of direct mechanical coupling, while allowing for reduced simulator size.
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
Enables efficient utilization of instructors across different locations, reduces simulator size and cost, and enhances training effectiveness by allowing real-time feedback and aircraft-specific torque simulation.
Implementation Method 1
force values of the control element are detected with a torque sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A flight simulation system and method with electronic coupling of controls include a physical simulation environment providing flight simulation to a trainee. At least one physical control element is in the physical simulation environment. An instructor environment is located remote from the physical simulation environment. At least one instructor control element is in the instructor environment. The at least one physical control element and the at least one instructor control element are electronically and non-mechanically coupled together.