Portable Autopilot Weight Actuator for Aircraft Control Wheel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft without autopilot systems face high costs for upgrading due to extensive installation and FAA certification requirements, and existing portable autopilot systems have issues with excessive moving parts, difficult mounting, and the need to remove cockpit components.
Innovation Solution
A portable autopilot device with a base for temporary attachment to the aircraft control wheel, using a weight actuated by a controller to bank the aircraft along a desired flight path, allowing for easy installation, override, and full control wheel motion without requiring tools or removal of existing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a traditional autopilot system is installed in an existing aircraft, then the aircraft gains automated flight control capability, but the installation cost and complexity become prohibitive due to extensive installation and FAA certification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The autopilot system is divided into separate modular components: a control wheel interface unit, a flight control computer, and an actuator system. This segmentation allows the system to be installed incrementally without requiring complete system replacement or extensive certification of the entire autopilot system at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control wheel interface unit that connects between the existing aircraft controls and the flight control computer. This intermediary device allows the system to interface with legacy aircraft systems without requiring direct integration into the aircraft's primary flight control system, thereby reducing certification complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing portable autopilot systems are used, then installation is simpler, but the systems have excessive moving parts and are difficult to mount and remove from the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential autopilot function into a single integrated control unit that mounts directly to the control wheel. By taking out only the necessary control interface and integrating it with a compact actuator system, the design eliminates excessive moving parts while maintaining installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control wheel interface, actuator mounting, and flight control electronics are merged into a single integrated unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and moving parts while simplifying the mounting process to a single location on the control wheel.
3Extent of automation
If portable autopilot systems are installed, then automated control is achieved, but the systems require removal of existing cockpit components for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a self-contained control unit that interfaces with the control wheel without requiring removal of existing cockpit components. The unit mounts externally or attaches to existing structures, preserving the original cockpit configuration while adding automated control capability.
4Device complexity
If a portable autopilot device is designed with fewer moving parts, then the system becomes simpler to maintain, but the device may have reduced functionality or control precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages with an electrical actuator system controlled by a flight control computer. This substitution reduces moving parts while maintaining or improving control precision through electronic control algorithms that can provide precise, repeatable control inputs without the mechanical wear and play inherent in linkages.
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
Provides a low-cost, easy-to-install autopilot solution with fewer moving parts, avoiding extensive installation and FAA certification, while allowing pilot override and full control wheel motion, effectively navigating aircraft along desired paths and compensating for wind perturbations.
Implementation Method 1
When the weight is in the center position, the base has a center-of-gravity vertically aligned with the neutral position of the control wheel of the aircraft. When the weight is left of the center position, the base has a center-of-gravity that imparts a leftward rotational moment to the control wheel of the aircraft.
Data Source
AI summary
An autopilot device for attaching to and exerting forces upon a control wheel of an aircraft includes an actuator fixed with a base, the actuator adapted to move a weight between a left-most position, a center position, and a right-most position. When the weight is in the center position, the base has a center-of-gravity vertically aligned with the rotational axis of the control wheel. When the weight is left or right of the center position, the weight causes a left or right rotational moment on the control wheel, respectively. A controller is connected with the actuator and a power source and is adapted to detect flight parameters including an aircraft orientation, an aircraft heading, and a desired flight path. The controller applies power from the power source to the actuator to move the actuator and weight, thereby causing the aircraft to intercept and track the desired flight path.