US4854876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft carrier simulator and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-10-13
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Granted: 1989-08-08
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Expires: 2007-10-13
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is an improved facility for training personnel for aircraft carrier flight operations. The invention provides a solution to problems caused by flight training operations in populated areas. The invention provides an aircraft carrier simulator that includes a land-based full scale flight deck. The simulator includes apparatus for moving the deck to simulate the motion of a carrier in the ocean. The deck may be moved up and down and rotated to simulate the pitching and rolling motion of a carrier floating in the ocean. The deck may also be rotated 360° about its vertical centerline so that flight operations may be conducted at any desired angle to the wind. The simulator is capable of providing all training for pilots and aircraft crews and deck training for fire, crash, battle station, flight mechanics, flight, R&D AIMD, fuel and LOX crews. The simulator also can provide training for ship crew personnel for radio communications, radar, guidance, ordnance, engineers, mess, command and control, and surgical and medical teams.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Heath
- 👤 John C. Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:48
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
An aircraft carrier flight deck simulator for training pilots in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing procedures, comprising: a slab of a substantially rigid material having a generally elongate rectangular surface thereon marked to define a first runway portion where an aircraft may be launched into flight and marked to define a second runway portion where the aircraft may land as on an aircraft carrier; means for supporting the slab such that the slab may be rotated in a substantially horizontal plane; and means for selectively elevating and lowering portions of the slab to simulate pitch and rolling motions of an aircraft carrier afloat at sea.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
An aircraft carrier flight deck simulator for training pilots in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing procedures, comprising: a slab of a substantially rigid material having a generally elongate rectangular surface thereon marked to define a first runway portion where an aircraft may be launched into flight and marked to define a second runway portion where the aircraft may land as on an aircraft carrier; means for supporting the slab such that the slab may be rotated in a substantially horizontal plane; and means for selectively elevating and lowering portions of the slab to simulate pitch and rolling motions of an aircraft carrier afloat at sea.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The aircraft carrier flight deck simulator of claim 1 wherein the slab is formed of reinforced concrete.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The air carrier flight deck simulator of claim 1 wherein the means for supporting the slab such that the slab may be rotated in a substantially horizontal plane comprises: a foundation ring formed as a generally circular track; and means mounted between the slab and the foundation ring for supporting the slab and moving it along the track.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The aircraft carrier flight deck simulator of claim 3 including: a plurality of concentric foundation rings; and support means mounted between each foundation ring and the slab for supporting the slab upon the foundation rings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The aircraft carrier flight deck simulator of claim 1 wherein the means for selectively elevating and lowering portions of the slab includes: a plurality of hydraulic cylinders arranged to support the weight of the slab; and means for controlling the hydraulic pressure in each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The aircraft carrier flight deck simulator of claim 5 wherein the controlling means includes: a flight deck control central processing unit; and a plurality of pumps arranged so that each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of pumps.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for forming an aircraft carrier flight deck simulator for training pilots in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing procedures, comprising the steps of: forming a slab of a substantially rigid material having a generally elongate rectangular surface thereon marked to define a first runway portion where aircraft may be launched into flight and marked to define a second runway portion where aircraft may land as on an aircraft carrier; supporting the slab such that the slab may be rotated in a substantially horizontal plane; and selectively elevating and lowering portions of the slab to simulate pitch and rolling motions of an aircraft carrier afloat at sea.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for forming an aircraft carrier flight deck simulator for training pilots in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing procedures, comprising the steps of: forming a slab of a substantially rigid material having a generally elongate rectangular surface thereon marked to define a first runway portion where aircraft may be launched into flight and marked to define a second runway portion where aircraft may land as on an aircraft carrier; supporting the slab such that the slab may be rotated in a substantially horizontal plane; and selectively elevating and lowering portions of the slab to simulate pitch and rolling motions of an aircraft carrier afloat at sea.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 including the step of forming the slab of reinforced concrete.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step of supporting the slab such that the slab may be rotated in a substantially horizontal plane comprises the steps of: forming a foundation ring as a generally circular track; and supporting the slab and moving it along the track with means mounted between the slab and the foundation ring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The aircraft carrier flight deck simulator of claim 9 including the steps of: forming a plurality of concentric foundation rings; and mounting support means between each foundation ring and the slab for supporting the slab upon the foundation rings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the the step of selectively elevating and lowering portions of the slab includes the steps of: arranging a plurality of hydraulic cylinders to support the weight of the slab; and controlling the hydraulic pressure in each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the controlling step includes the steps of: providing a flight deck control central processing unit; arranging a plurality of pumps so that each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of pumps.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
An aircraft carrier flight deck simulator for training pilots in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing procedures, comprising: flight deck means mounted to the earth for defining a first runway portion where an aircraft may be launched into flight and for defining a second runway portion where the aircraft may land as on an aircraft carrier; means for rotating the flight deck means in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the earth; and means for selectively controlling the elevation of portions of the flight deck means relative to the earth to simulate pitch and rolling motions of an aircraft carrier afloat at sea.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
An aircraft carrier flight deck simulator for training pilots in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing procedures, comprising: flight deck means mounted to the earth for defining a first runway portion where an aircraft may be launched into flight and for defining a second runway portion where the aircraft may land as on an aircraft carrier; means for rotating the flight deck means in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the earth; and means for selectively controlling the elevation of portions of the flight deck means relative to the earth to simulate pitch and rolling motions of an aircraft carrier afloat at sea.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The aircraft carrier flight deck simulator of claim 13 wherein the means for controlling the angular orientation of the flight deck means comprises: a foundation ring formed as a generally circular track; and means mounted between the flight deck means and the foundation ring for supporting the flight deck means and moving it along the track.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The aircraft carrier flight deck simulator of claim 14 including: a plurality of concentric foundation rings; and support means mounted between each foundation ring and the flight deck means for supporting the flight deck means upon the foundation rings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The aircraft carrier flight deck simulator of claim 12 wherein the means for selectively controlling the elevation of portions of the flight deck means includes: a plurality of hydraulic cylinders arranged to support the weight of the flight deck means; and means for controlling the hydraulic pressure in each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The aircraft carrier flight deck simulator of claim 16 wherein the controlling means includes: a flight deck control central processing unit; and a plurality of pumps arranged so that each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of pumps.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for forming an aircraft carrier flight deck simulator for training pilots in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing procedures, comprising the steps of: mounting flight deck means to the earth for defining a first runway portion where an aircraft may be launched into flight and for defining a second runway portion where the aircraft may land as on an aircraft carrier; controlling the angular orientation of the flight deck means in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the earth; and controlling the elevation of portions of the flight deck means relative to the earth to simulate pitch and rolling motions of an aircraft carrier afloat at sea.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for forming an aircraft carrier flight deck simulator for training pilots in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing procedures, comprising the steps of: mounting flight deck means to the earth for defining a first runway portion where an aircraft may be launched into flight and for defining a second runway portion where the aircraft may land as on an aircraft carrier; controlling the angular orientation of the flight deck means in a substantially horizontal plane relative to the earth; and controlling the elevation of portions of the flight deck means relative to the earth to simulate pitch and rolling motions of an aircraft carrier afloat at sea.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of controlling the angular orientation of the flight deck means comprises the steps of: providing a foundation ring formed as a generally circular track; and supporting the flight deck means and moving it along the track.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 19 including the steps of: providing a plurality of concentric foundation rings; and supporting the flight deck means upon the plurality of concentric foundation rings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of selectively controlling the elevation of portions of the flight deck means includes the steps of: providing a plurality of hydraulic cylinders arranged to support the weight of the flight deck means; and controlling the hydraulic pressure in each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of controlling the pressure in each hydraulic cylinder includes the steps of providing a flight deck control central processing unit; and arranging a plurality of pumps so that each of the plurality of hydraulic cylinders is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of pumps.
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) | 1992-08-07 | 1993-02-06 | 1993-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-07 | 1997-02-06 | 1997-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-07 | 2001-02-06 | 2001-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |