US3592418A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft stability control system
Assignee: Bell Aerospace Corp
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Filing: 1969-08-08
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Granted: 1971-07-13
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Expires: 1989-08-08
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft control system utilizing redundant major control surfaces which are mechanically under pilot control and redundant minor control surfaces for stabilizing the aircraft and which are responsive to automatically generated stabilizing signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Derek Wood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:42
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/0055; G05D1/0077; G05D1/08; G05D1/0808; G05D1/0816
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An aircraft control system comprising: a plurality of major control surfaces for controlling the flight path of said aircraft; means for pilot control of said major control surfaces; a plurality of minor control surfaces for stabilizing said aircraft in flight; a redundant plurality of means for sensing instability of said aircraft, each generating a stabilizing signal; a redundant plurality of control members, each receiving a stabilizing signal from one of said instability sensing means and being responsive to said received stabilizing signal for moving one of said minor control surfaces to thereby stabilize said aircraft; and comparator means connected to said control members for determining nonconformity of any of said redundant control members whereby to selectively disable a nonconforming member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An aircraft control system comprising: a plurality of major control surfaces for controlling the flight path of said aircraft; means for pilot control of said major control surfaces; a plurality of minor control surfaces for stabilizing said aircraft in flight; a redundant plurality of means for sensing instability of said aircraft, each generating a stabilizing signal; a redundant plurality of control members, each receiving a stabilizing signal from one of said instability sensing means and being responsive to said received stabilizing signal for moving one of said minor control surfaces to thereby stabilize said aircraft; and comparator means connected to said control members for determining nonconformity of any of said redundant control members whereby to selectively disable a nonconforming member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein disabling of a single nonconforming minor control member leaves sufficient minor control surface under stabilizer control to stabilize said aircraft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein said pilot control means comprises means for direct manual control by said pilot of said major control surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The control system of claim 1 including means for determining conformity of any one of the signals from said plurality of instability sensing means whereby to selectively disable a nonconforming means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of major control surfaces are interconnected for redundant major control.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control system of claim 1 wherein said major and minor control surfaces comprise control portions of a split wing surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2949258A
Cited
US3368351A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-12 | 1975-01-11 | 1975-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-12 | 1979-01-11 | 1979-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-12 | 1983-01-11 | 1983-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |