US3644722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vertical control system
Assignee: Butler National Corp
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Filing: 1969-08-18
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Granted: 1972-02-22
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Expires: 1989-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A vertical control system which allows pilots of aircraft to control their ascent and descent based on distance and altitude information so as to reach a point over the ground at a desired altitude. The set point at which the desired altitude is to be reached may be offset from a radio transmitting station either before or after the station and the desired angle of descent or ascent may be set into the system so as to control the aircraft in the desired profile.
Inventors
- 👤 James Hobbs
- 👤 John B Carocari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/91; G01S13/913; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/04; G05D1/06; G05D1/0607
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A navigation system for aircraft comprising an altimeter determining the aircraft''s altitude, means for producing a signal proportional to a selected altitude to which the aircraft is to be maneuvered, a distance measuring receiver producing an output indicative of the slant range of said aircraft from a ground station, means producing a signal of the altitude of said ground station, a servosystem receiving signals from the distance measuring receiver, the altimeter and the means producing a signal of the ground station altitude and producing an output signal proportional to the horizontal distance to said ground station, and a combining means receiving an output of the servosystem proportional to the horizontal distance to said ground station and inputs from said altimeter and said means for producing a signal to a selected altitude to which said aircraft is to be maneuvered and said combining means producing an output aircraft command signal and said altitude of said ground station and said selected altitude having different values.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A navigation system for aircraft comprising an altimeter determining the aircraft''s altitude, means for producing a signal proportional to a selected altitude to which the aircraft is to be maneuvered, a distance measuring receiver producing an output indicative of the slant range of said aircraft from a ground station, means producing a signal of the altitude of said ground station, a servosystem receiving signals from the distance measuring receiver, the altimeter and the means producing a signal of the ground station altitude and producing an output signal proportional to the horizontal distance to said ground station, and a combining means receiving an output of the servosystem proportional to the horizontal distance to said ground station and inputs from said altimeter and said means for producing a signal to a selected altitude to which said aircraft is to be maneuvered and said combining means producing an output aircraft command signal and said altitude of said ground station and said selected altitude having different values.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
A navigation system according to claim 1 wherein said servosystem includes a resolver with sine and cosine windings and an input winding and said slant range signals supplied to input winding, a servomotor in said servosystem connected to drive said resolver and receiving the output of the sine winding of the resolver and the signals from said altimeter and the means producing a signal of the ground stations altitude and the output of the cosine winding proportional to the horizontal distance to said ground station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A navigation system according to claim 1 wherein said combining means includes a distance computer for computing the distance to go which receives the horizontal distance to station signal from said servosystem, and an offset signal from means settable to produce an offset signal indicative of a point offset from said ground station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A navigation system according to claim 3 wherein said distance computer includes means for generating a signal proportional to the desired slope, and means combining said signal proportional to the desired slope with said distance to go signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A navigation system according to claim 4 wherein said combining means includes indicating means for producing a command signal to produce a desired flight profile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
266 words
A navigation system for aircraft comprising: an altimeter determining the aircraft''s altitude; means for producing a signal proportional to a selected altitude to which the aircraft is to be maneuvered; a distance measuring receiver producing an output indicative of the slant range of said aircraft from a ground station; means producing a signal of the altitude of said ground station; a servosystem receiving signals from the distance measuring receiver, the altimeter and the means producing a signal of the ground station altitude and producing an output signal proportional to the horizontal distance to said ground station; a combining means receiving an output of the servosystem proportional to the horizontal distance to said ground station and inputs from said altimeter and said means for producing a signal to a selected altitude to which said aircraft is to be maneuvered and said combining means producing an output aircraft command signal, wherein said combining means includes a distance computer for computing the distance to go which receives the horizontal distance to station signal from said servosystem, and an offset signal from means settable to produce an offset signal indicative of a point offset from said ground station; and wherein said distance computer includes means for generating a signal proportional to the desired slope, and means combining said signal proportional to the desired slope with said distance to go signal; and wherein said combining means includes indicating means for producing a command signal to produce a desired flight profile; and means for grounding the output of said distance computer to allow a fixed altitude to be flown by the aircraft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
266 words
A navigation system for aircraft comprising: an altimeter determining the aircraft''s altitude; means for producing a signal proportional to a selected altitude to which the aircraft is to be maneuvered; a distance measuring receiver producing an output indicative of the slant range of said aircraft from a ground station; means producing a signal of the altitude of said ground station; a servosystem receiving signals from the distance measuring receiver, the altimeter and the means producing a signal of the ground station altitude and producing an output signal proportional to the horizontal distance to said ground station; a combining means receiving an output of the servosystem proportional to the horizontal distance to said ground station and inputs from said altimeter and said means for producing a signal to a selected altitude to which said aircraft is to be maneuvered and said combining means producing an output aircraft command signal, wherein said combining means includes a distance computer for computing the distance to go which receives the horizontal distance to station signal from said servosystem, and an offset signal from means settable to produce an offset signal indicative of a point offset from said ground station; and wherein said distance computer includes means for generating a signal proportional to the desired slope, and means combining said signal proportional to the desired slope with said distance to go signal; and wherein said combining means includes indicating means for producing a command signal to produce a desired flight profile; and means for grounding the output of said distance computer to allow a fixed altitude to be flown by the aircraft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A navigation system according to claim 6 including means indicating a constant altitude command.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A navigation system according to claim 6 including means indicating a constant slope command.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A navigation system according to claim 6 comprising means for determining when the aircraft''s altitude approaches the desired altitude and connected to said means for grounding the output of said distance computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A navigation system according to claim 9 including an altitude alarm for indicating when the aircraft deviates from the desired altitude.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |