Tactile Cueing Trim Assembly for Autorotation Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face challenges in performing autorotation and flaring maneuvers, particularly with low-inertia rotor systems, where precise timing is critical to prevent loss of rotor speed and ensure safe landing, and existing systems lack effective assistance for non-visual information during high-workload operations.
Innovation Solution
A pilot assistance system using tactile cueing, implemented through trim assemblies and a trim assembly control system, applies a soft-stop cueing force to prevent pilots from flaring too early or late by providing resistance against the pilot control device, helping maintain optimal rotor speed during autorotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual cockpit displays are used to provide information during autorotation, then information can be communicated to the pilot, but the pilot's attention is diverted from monitoring external activity and the workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual display systems with a tactile/mechanical cueing system. The trim assembly provides physical forces and movements that directly communicate autorotation state to the pilot through the control column, eliminating the need for visual displays and reducing pilot workload during critical maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The trim assembly acts as an intermediary between the aircraft's flight state and the pilot. It translates complex flight parameters into intuitive tactile cues through the control column, allowing the pilot to receive information without diverting attention from external monitoring.
2Reliability
If precise timing is required for flaring maneuvers in low-inertia rotor systems, then rotor speed can be maintained, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the optimal flaring point increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trim assembly provides continuous tactile feedback to the pilot based on rotor speed and flight state. As the aircraft approaches the optimal flaring point, the trim assembly generates specific force cues and movements that clearly indicate when to initiate the flare, making precise timing achievable even in low-inertia rotor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses analogous 'force changes' instead of color changes - the trim assembly varies the magnitude and direction of tactile forces to signal different flight states and the optimal flaring moment, creating an intuitive tactile language for timing cues.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a pilot assistance system includes a trim assembly and a trim assembly control system. The trim assembly is operable to communicate with a pilot control device and operable to apply a force against the pilot control device in resistance of a command received from a pilot via the pilot control device. The trim assembly control system is in communication with the trim assembly, configured to identify a first pilot control device position relative to a reference pilot control device position, and configured to instruct the trim assembly to apply a cueing force against the pilot control device if the pilot control device is positioned proximate to the first pilot control device position.