US3824707A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for applying simulator g-forces to an arm of an aircraft simulator pilot
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1972-06-09
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Granted: 1974-07-23
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Expires: 1992-06-09
Abstract
Abstract This invention is a device to be used with an aircraft simulator to apply positive and negative g-forces to the pilot''s arm. An arm harness fits around the the pilot''s arm that he uses to operate the throttle. The device allows the harness to track intentional arm movements without exerting any restraining forces and at the same time applies through the harness g-forces to the pilot''s arm that are computed by the aircraft simulator computer. The invention described herein was made by employees of the United States Government and may be manufactured and used by or for the government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.
Inventors
- 👤 B Ashworth
- 👤 J Merrill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:12
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
290 words
A device for applying simulator g-forces to the arm of an aircraft simulator pilot, g-forces being represented by input electrical signals, and for allowing a pilot to move his arm either up or down without exerting any restraining forces comprising: an arm harness which is adapted to fit around a pilot''s arm; a system of pulleys fixed relative to said pilot; cable means attached to each side of said arm harness for forming a closed loop that is engaged with said system of pulleys such that a pilot can move his arm up or down; torque motor means engaging said closed loop cable means for exerting forces on said arm harness related to all electrical signals applied to said torque motor means; a first strain gage in said closed loop cable means between one side of said arm harness and said motor means; a second strain gage in said closed loop cable means between the other side of said arm harness and said motor means; each of said strain gages producing an electrical signal proportional to the strain in said cable at the location of the strain gage with the signal produced by the second strain gage being negative with respect to the signal produced by the first strain gage; means for summing the electrical signals produced by said first and second strain gages; and means for applying to said torque motor means a signal representing the difference between said summed electrical signals and said input electrical signals whereby any time the input electrical signals changes the g-forces applied to a pilot''s arm changes and any movement in the vertical direction will be followed by said torque motor means such that no restraining force is exerted by the arm harness.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
290 words
A device for applying simulator g-forces to the arm of an aircraft simulator pilot, g-forces being represented by input electrical signals, and for allowing a pilot to move his arm either up or down without exerting any restraining forces comprising: an arm harness which is adapted to fit around a pilot''s arm; a system of pulleys fixed relative to said pilot; cable means attached to each side of said arm harness for forming a closed loop that is engaged with said system of pulleys such that a pilot can move his arm up or down; torque motor means engaging said closed loop cable means for exerting forces on said arm harness related to all electrical signals applied to said torque motor means; a first strain gage in said closed loop cable means between one side of said arm harness and said motor means; a second strain gage in said closed loop cable means between the other side of said arm harness and said motor means; each of said strain gages producing an electrical signal proportional to the strain in said cable at the location of the strain gage with the signal produced by the second strain gage being negative with respect to the signal produced by the first strain gage; means for summing the electrical signals produced by said first and second strain gages; and means for applying to said torque motor means a signal representing the difference between said summed electrical signals and said input electrical signals whereby any time the input electrical signals changes the g-forces applied to a pilot''s arm changes and any movement in the vertical direction will be followed by said torque motor means such that no restraining force is exerted by the arm harness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device according to claim 1 including a cart means attached to a control mechanism of the aircraft simulator and mounted for movement in a horizontal direction with said device fixed with respect to said cart whereby a pilot''s arm can move in both a horizontal and a vertical direction as he operates the control mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for applying simulaTed g-forces to the arm of an aircraft simulator pilot, g-forces being represented by input electrical signals, and for allowing the pilot to move his arm horizontally and vertically as he operates a control mechanism of an aircraft simulator without exerting any restraining forces comprising: cart means attached to the control mechanism of a aircraft simulator and mounted to move in a horizontal direction as the control mechanism is operated; an arm harness mounted on said cart means which is adapted to fit around a pilot''s arm that he uses to operate the control mechanism; and means mounted on said cart means and attached to said arm harness receiving said electrical signals for applying g-forces to the arm of a pilot through said arm harness and for allowing a pilot to move his arm vertically as he operates the control mechanism of the simulator without exerting any restraining forces on the pilot''s arm whereby a feel is developed for a pilot that enables him to better control the aircraft simulator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for applying simulaTed g-forces to the arm of an aircraft simulator pilot, g-forces being represented by input electrical signals, and for allowing the pilot to move his arm horizontally and vertically as he operates a control mechanism of an aircraft simulator without exerting any restraining forces comprising: cart means attached to the control mechanism of a aircraft simulator and mounted to move in a horizontal direction as the control mechanism is operated; an arm harness mounted on said cart means which is adapted to fit around a pilot''s arm that he uses to operate the control mechanism; and means mounted on said cart means and attached to said arm harness receiving said electrical signals for applying g-forces to the arm of a pilot through said arm harness and for allowing a pilot to move his arm vertically as he operates the control mechanism of the simulator without exerting any restraining forces on the pilot''s arm whereby a feel is developed for a pilot that enables him to better control the aircraft simulator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for applying g-forces to the arm of a pilot includes cable means attached to opposite sides of said arm harness to form a closed loop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for applying g-forces to the arm of a pilot includes a system of pulleys with said closed loop of said cable means fitted into the pulleys of said system of pulleys to support said arm harness.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means for applying g-forces to the arm of a pilot includes a torque motor with its shaft attached to said cable means to turn said closed loop in said system of pulleys.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means for applying g-forces to the arm of a pilot includes a first strain gage located in said closed loop cable means between said shaft and one side of said arm harness and a second strain gage located in said closed loop cable means between said shaft and the other side of said arm harness each of said strain gages producing an electrical signal proportional to the tension in said cable at its location the electrical signal of the second strain gage being negative with respect to the electrical signal of the first strain gage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for applying g-forces to the arm of a pilot includes means for summing the signals produced by said first and second strain gages, means for obtaining the difference between said summed signals and said input electrical signals and means for applying the resulting difference signals to said torque motor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |