Wireless Autopilot Mounting Plate for Light Aircraft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aftermarket autopilot systems for light aircraft require installation by certified mechanics and interface with primary instrumentation, making them costly and reducing commercial viability, while self-installed flight data systems lack the ability to control aircraft operations.

Innovation Solution

A wireless autopilot system comprising a mounting plate, airfoil, system controller, and wireless transceiver, allowing remote control of the aircraft's orientation through a servomotor via an externally located processor-enabled device, without accessing the primary instrumentation panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional autopilot system is installed by certified mechanics and interfaces with primary instrumentation, then the system achieves reliable aircraft control, but the installation cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft control reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the autopilot control function from the primary instrumentation interface. The mounting plate with airfoil and servomotor creates an independent control mechanism that attaches to the control surface without requiring integration with the aircraft's primary flight instruments or certified systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate acts as an intermediary device between the servomotor and the aircraft control surface. It provides a mechanical interface that transfers motor movement to the control surface without requiring direct connection to or modification of the primary instrumentation panel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a traditional autopilot system interfaces with the primary instrumentation panel, then the system achieves integrated control, but recertification costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated controlVSAvoidrecertification cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the autopilot control function from the primary instrumentation system. By using an independent mounting plate that attaches to the control surface without interfacing with certified instruments, the system avoids the need for recertification while maintaining control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If a self-installed flight data system is used, then the installation cost decreases, but the ability to control aircraft operations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation costVSAvoidaircraft control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables owner-installed autopilot control through a self-contained mounting plate design that requires no certification or complex integration. The simple mechanical attachment to the control surface allows untrained owners to install and operate a functional autopilot system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If a wireless autopilot system is implemented, then the independence from primary systems increases, but the control precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem independenceVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex electronic wiring and instrumentation integration with a simple mechanical mounting plate that directly couples the servomotor to the control surface. This mechanical connection provides precise control while maintaining wireless operation and system independence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 user control of aircraft operations wirelessly, reducing installation costs and complexity, while maintaining independence from certified aircraft systems, allowing continuous operation during flights without affecting normal flight operations.

Implementation Method 1

Changes in the position of the servomotor during flight causing low pressure areas along both the airfoil and the flight control surface resulting in the change to the orientation of the aircraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAerodynamic force: Aerofoil

Data Source

PatentUS11661175B2Wireless autopilot system

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 LEON RUBEN

AI summary

A wireless autopilot system includes a mounting plate for securement onto a flight control surface of an aircraft, an airfoil, and a flight control device. The flight control device is connected to the mounting plate, and an elongated bracket functions as an anti-flutter counterbalance. A servomotor is connected to the airfoil by the elongated bracket, and a controller having a wireless transceiver for communicating with an application on an externally located processor enabled device is located within the main body. Changes in the position of the servomotor during flight are instructed by the application, and result in a change to the orientation of the aircraft.