Portable Control Device for Rotary-Wing Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground control systems for rotary-wing aircraft are bulky and require dedicated equipment for remote control, particularly for load management, which complicates operations like re-supply and limits their ubiquity and simplicity.
Innovation Solution
A portable, hand-held control device with a control application that communicates with a vehicle management system and sensor package on the aircraft via wireless communication, allowing for remote control of rotary-wing aircraft in both loaded and unloaded modes, facilitating loading and unloading operations through a user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bulky ground control stations with dedicated equipment are used, then control reliability is improved, but portability and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling standard portable devices (smartphones, tablets) to function as ground control stations through a control application. The same device can operate in both loaded and unloaded modes, eliminating the need for dedicated bulky equipment while maintaining control reliability through software-based functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical ground control station hardware with a software-based control application running on portable electronic devices. This substitution eliminates bulky equipment while preserving control functions through digital interfaces and wireless communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated ground control stations are used, then control functionality is improved, but device complexity and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control application provides full ground control station functionality on standard portable devices that users already possess. The system adapts to different modes (loaded/unloaded) and operations (loading, unloading, monitoring) through software rather than requiring complex dedicated hardware for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its interface and functionality based on the aircraft's operational state. The control application automatically adjusts between loaded and unloaded modes, presenting appropriate command icons and controls based on sensor data, thereby simplifying the user interface while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
3Reliability
If separate systems are used for pick-up and receiving zones, then operational control is improved, but system complexity and resource requirements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single type of portable control device to be used in both pick-up and receiving zones. The control application handles different operational contexts (loading at pick-up, unloading at receiving) through software logic rather than requiring different dedicated systems, thereby simplifying resource requirements while maintaining operational control.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for portable control of a rotary-wing aircraft includes a portable, hand-held, control device executing a control application, the control device operating in a loaded mode when a load is attached to the rotary-wing aircraft and an unloaded mode when no load is attached to the rotary-wing aircraft, the control device presenting command icons in response to being in loaded mode and unloaded mode; a vehicle management system in the rotary-wing aircraft; a sensor package on the rotary-wing aircraft; and a communication system providing communications between the control device and the rotary-wing aircraft, vehicle management system and sensor package; wherein the control device communicates commands to the vehicle management system to implement loading and unloading of the rotary-wing aircraft.