US3789661A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft glide angle and rate of change of total energy indication means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-25
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1990-06-25
Abstract
Abstract Aircraft instrumentation includes means for producing a signal indicative of the time rate of change of the kinetic and potential energy characteristic of the aircraft in flight; and other means responsive to the first means for producing an indication of the glide angle characteristic of the aircraft in flight.
Inventors
- 👤 F Melsheimer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:51
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D45/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
In apparatus for producing a Signal indicative of the time rate of change of the kinetic and potential energy characteristic of the aircraft in flight, the combination comprising a first circuit means responsive to an air pressure parameter varying with altitude h for producing a first signal indicative of the quantity K2 dh/dt, where K2 is a constant and dh/dt is the rate of climb or descent of the aircraft, second circuit means responsive to an air pressure parameter varying with the airspeed of the aircraft for producing a second signal indicative of the quantity k1V dv/dt, where k1 is a constant and dv/dt is the rate of change of airspeed V, and third circuit means connected to the first and second circuit means to sum the first and second signals for producing a third signal representative of the time rate of change of Kinetic energy and potential energy de/dt defined by the equation de/dt K1 V dv/dt + K2 dh/dt.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
In apparatus for producing a Signal indicative of the time rate of change of the kinetic and potential energy characteristic of the aircraft in flight, the combination comprising a first circuit means responsive to an air pressure parameter varying with altitude h for producing a first signal indicative of the quantity K2 dh/dt, where K2 is a constant and dh/dt is the rate of climb or descent of the aircraft, second circuit means responsive to an air pressure parameter varying with the airspeed of the aircraft for producing a second signal indicative of the quantity k1V dv/dt, where k1 is a constant and dv/dt is the rate of change of airspeed V, and third circuit means connected to the first and second circuit means to sum the first and second signals for producing a third signal representative of the time rate of change of Kinetic energy and potential energy de/dt defined by the equation de/dt K1 V dv/dt + K2 dh/dt.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
154 words
In apparatus to produce an indication of glide angle of an aircraft in flight, the combination comprising a. first means to produce a primary signal representing the quantity K1 V dV/dt + K2 dh/dt wherein said first means includes first circuit means responsive to an air pressure parameter varying with altitude h to produce a version of said primary signal quantity k2 dh/dt, and second circuit means responsive to an air pressure parameter varying with V to produce a version of said primary signal quantity K1 V dv/dt, where V airspeed of the craft dV/dt rate of change of velocity V dh/dt rate of climb or descent K1 a constant K2 a constant b. second means to provide an input representing the airspeed V, and c. third means to supply an output representing the division of one of the signal and input by the other thereof and indicative of glide angle of the craft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
In apparatus to produce an indication of glide angle of an aircraft in flight, the combination comprising a. first means to produce a primary signal representing the quantity K1 V dV/dt + K2 dh/dt wherein said first means includes first circuit means responsive to an air pressure parameter varying with altitude h to produce a version of said primary signal quantity k2 dh/dt, and second circuit means responsive to an air pressure parameter varying with V to produce a version of said primary signal quantity K1 V dv/dt, where V airspeed of the craft dV/dt rate of change of velocity V dh/dt rate of climb or descent K1 a constant K2 a constant b. second means to provide an input representing the airspeed V, and c. third means to supply an output representing the division of one of the signal and input by the other thereof and indicative of glide angle of the craft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said third means comprises a transducer to which the signal is applied, said input being applied to a movable element of the transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 3 including fourth means responsive to the output of said third means to visually indicate said glide angle of the craft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said second means includes a movable diaphragm operatively connected with a movable element of said transducer, the diaphragm being responsive to said air pressure parameter varying with V.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said first means includes an amplifier connected with said first and second circuit means to sum said versions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said first circuit means includes a contained air pressure source adapted to be carried by the craft to communicate with the external atmosphere, and a bridge having temperature sensing elements in the path of air flowing between said source and the external atmosphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said second circuit means includes a device to provide a mechanical input version of the quantity V2, a transducer having a movable element to which said input is applied so that the transducer output is a voltage version of the quantity V2, and differentiating means responsive thereto to produce said version of said primary signal component K1 V dV/dt.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 2 including indicating means responsive to said primary signal to indicate the value thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said transducer comprises a voltage divider.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said transducer comprises a photodiode, light source and shutter system wherein shutter movement modulates light reception by the photodiode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3496769A
Cited
US3667293A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |