EP0370903A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flight simulator apparatus using an inoperative aircraft
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-11-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-11-22
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft flight simulator system adaptable to an actual inoperative aircraft not in flight provides instrument displays driven by a computer (1) flight simulator program interacting with inputs from sensors attached to the actual aircraft control system and overlay switches. The computer (1) may also drive visual displays placed in the cockpit windshield and side windows, as well as provide audio output and output for the operation of aircraft jacks to simulate inflight motion. All equipment may be relatively quickly and easily installed or removed so as to make maximum use of an otherwise inoperative aircraft on the ground, and by the use of computer (1) program modifications, may be used to simulate a wide variety of aircraft. Realistic control handling is provided by feedback mechanisms attached to various aircraft control surfaces and the control column and which are coupled to the computer (1).
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Bennington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:34
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/28; G09B9/10; G09B9/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A flight simulator apparatus characterized in that it is temporarily installable in and using an actual aircraft not in flight and having control members (30; 39; 49) comprising; - an aircraft instrument panel overlay (13) containing a plurality of simulated instruments (14-19), a central computer (1), said aircraft instrument panel overlay mountable over the existing actual panel of said actual aircraft and receiving output from said central computer, said central computer adapted to provide simulated displays of the operating instruments of an actual operating aircraft by means of said instrument panel overlay, - a plurality of position sensing means (23, 24; 31, 35, 37) mounted adjacent said control members of said actual aircraft and electrically connected to said computer, said position sensing means providing output to said central computer relating to the position of said actual control members, - an indicator light overlay (26) electrically connected to said computer (1), said indicator light overlay receiving signals from said central computer to simulate the appropriate activation of indicator lights in an actual operating aircraft, and - an overlay mounted (21) adjacent existing switches in said actual aircraft and including switch position detection means (23, 24) providing information to said central computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A flight simulator apparatus characterized in that it is temporarily installable in and using an actual aircraft not in flight and having control members (30; 39; 49) comprising; - an aircraft instrument panel overlay (13) containing a plurality of simulated instruments (14-19), a central computer (1), said aircraft instrument panel overlay mountable over the existing actual panel of said actual aircraft and receiving output from said central computer, said central computer adapted to provide simulated displays of the operating instruments of an actual operating aircraft by means of said instrument panel overlay, - a plurality of position sensing means (23, 24; 31, 35, 37) mounted adjacent said control members of said actual aircraft and electrically connected to said computer, said position sensing means providing output to said central computer relating to the position of said actual control members, - an indicator light overlay (26) electrically connected to said computer (1), said indicator light overlay receiving signals from said central computer to simulate the appropriate activation of indicator lights in an actual operating aircraft, and - an overlay mounted (21) adjacent existing switches in said actual aircraft and including switch position detection means (23, 24) providing information to said central computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of Claim 1, characterized in that it includes a plurality of shiftable jacks (11) supporting said actual aircraft, said jacks being actuated by signals from said central computer (1) to provide movement of said actual aircraft to simulate inflight movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of Claim 1, characterized in that said simulated instruments in said panel overlay include no less than the basic flight instruments (14-19).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of Claim 1, characterized in that said position sensing means includes at least one sensor (35-37) on the aircraft control wheel (29; 55).
Claim 6
Independent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes pressure feedback means (44-47; 48; 57) mounted upon said aircraft control wheel (29; 55) and electrically connected to said computer (1).
Claim 7
Independent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it includes pressure feedback means (46A; 46B) attached to flight control surfaces (43) of said actual aircraft and electrically connected to said computer (1).
Claim 8
Independent Claim
49 words
The apparatus according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it includes visual displays temporarily installed upon the windshield and/or windows (8) of the aircraft, said visual displays receiving information from said central computer so as to simulate the field of view perceived in actual flight.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
55 words
The apparatus according to anyone of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it includes audio simulation means through which audio simulation signals (9) are transmitted from said central computer (1) to a cockpit speaker and/or flight crew headphones, said audio simulation signals dependent upon the simulated aircraft configuration as perceived by said central computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
119 words
The apparatus of Claim 5, characterized in that said control members (30, 39; 49) include pressure feedback means (44-47; 48; 57) mounted upon the control wheel (29; 55) of said aircraft, said pressure feedback means receiving output from said central computer (1), visual displays (8) temporarily installed upon the windshield and/or windows of said actual aircraft, said visual displays receiving output from said central computer so as to simulate the field or view perceived in actual flight, and audio simulation means (9), and in that audio signals are transmitted from said central computer (1) to the cockpit speaker and/or flight crew headphones with the audio signals dependent upon the simulated aircraft configuration as perceived by said central computer (1).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
116 words
The apparatus of Claim 1, characterized in that it includes pressure feedback means (46A, 46B) attached to the flight control surfaces (43) of said actual aircraft, said flight control pressure feedback means receiving output from said central computer (1), visual displays (8) temporarily installed upon the windshield and/or windows of said actual aircraft, said visual displays receiving output from said central computer (1) so as to simulate the field of view perceived in actual flight, and audio simulation means, and in that audio signals are transmitted from said central computer (1) to the cockpit speaker and/or flight crew headphones with the audio signals dependent upon the simulated aircraft configuration as perceived by said central computer (1).
Claim 12
Independent Claim
74 words
The apparatus according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it includes visual displays temporarily installed upon the windshield and/or windows of said actual aircraft, said visual displays receiving output from said central computer (1) so as to simulate the field of view perceived in actual flight and audio simulation means, and in that audio signals are transmitted from said central computer (1) to the cockpit speaker and/or flight crew headphones.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it includes audio simulation means through which audio signals are transmitted from said central computer (1) to the cockpit speaker and/or flight crew headphones.
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