Hovering Aircraft Velocity Indicator for Vmax and VNE Awareness

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a control unit and indicator system for aircraft capable of hovering that provides a clear indication of the maximum velocity (Vmax) in various operating conditions to reduce pilot workload.

Innovation Solution

A control unit and indicator system for aircraft capable of hovering that processes actual weight and flight parameters to determine and display the maximum velocity (Vmax) and velocity to never exceed (VNE), along with an acoustic alarm system to alert the pilot when approaching these velocities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pilot manually monitors and calculates maximum velocity limits based on flight conditions, then the aircraft can operate safely within velocity limits, but the pilot workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafe operation within velocity limitsVSAvoidpilot workload

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically performs calculations and monitoring of velocity limits based on flight conditions without requiring pilot intervention. The system serves itself by continuously processing flight data and generating velocity indications, thereby reducing pilot workload while maintaining safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback to the pilot through visual and acoustic indications of maximum velocity limits (Vmax and VNE). The control unit monitors flight conditions and feeds back velocity information to the indicator, enabling the pilot to operate within safe limits with reduced cognitive burden

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If the system provides detailed velocity information for multiple operating conditions, then the pilot can make informed decisions, but the information display complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevelocity information availabilityVSAvoidinformation display complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit segments velocity information into distinct categories (Vmax and VNE) and processes them separately based on different operating conditions. This segmentation allows the system to manage complex information sets while presenting them in an organized, non-overwhelming manner to the pilot

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator provides different levels of information detail based on the specific operating condition and pilot needs. The system adapts the display quality and detail locally according to the current flight phase and equipment status, preventing information overload while maintaining comprehensive velocity information availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250042574A1Control unit and indicator for an aircraft capable of hovering or for a flight simulation system of said aircraft, and relative method for assisting the performance of a manoeuvre

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 LEONARDO SPA

AI summary

A control unit for an aircraft capable of hovering or for a flight simulation system of the aircraft is described; the control unit is programmed to:receive in input a plurality of data associated with equipment and/or kits actually installed or simulated on the aircraft and/or with the operating configuration of the equipment and/or kits; the equipment and/or kits causing a reduction of the actual or simulated forward velocity of the aircraft;store a table defining a correspondence between each datum and a respective value of a first signal associated with a value of maximum forward velocity of the aircraft; anddisplay the lowest of the first signals.