Sidestick flight control simulator

Claim 2

A sidestick flight control simulator comprising: a main stationary support; a sidestick grip mounted to a separate support located in spaced relation to the stationary support; a pitch assembly including (a) a first clevis for pivotally mounting the grip support thereby allowing pitch deflection of the grip, (b) first spring means for establishing break-away force and force-deflection characteristics, the spring means including a housing fastened to the first clevis and a displaceable rod pivotally mounted to a second clevis which is itself pivotally fastened to the grip support, the rod undergoing spring-loaded linked pitch displacement with the grip, (c) a first damper having its housing fastened to the housing of the first spring means, (d) first bracket means linking a rod of the damper to the spring means rod for damping motion of the spring means rod; a roll assembly including (a) means for pivotally mounting the first clevis in the roll direction, thereby allowing roll deflection of the grip, (b) a third clevis extending to the main stationary support and pivotally mounting a second spring means, (c) a rod of the second spring means having a first end pivotally mounted to the main stationary support while the housing thereof is pivotally mounted to the third clevis, wherein roll deflection of the grip results in spring-loaded linked displacement of the rod simulating force-displacement characteristics in the roll direction, (d) a second damper having its housing fastened to the housing of the second spring means, (e) second bracket means linking a rod of the second damper to the second spring means rod for damping motion of the second spring means.

Claim 3

The structure set forth in claim 1 together with limit stops located in the first clevis for limiting pitch deflection of the grip; and further limit stops located in the main stationary support for limiting roll deflection of the grip.

Claim 4

The structure set forth in claim 1 together with means connected to the first and second spring means for adjusting roll and pitch neutral position of the grip.

Claim 5

The structure set forth in claim 1 together with means for adjusting the lateral position of the third clevis for varying the force versus deflection symmetry of the grip.

Claim 6

The structure set forth in claim 1 together with means mounted to the first and second spring means for adjustably simulating the break-out forces thereof.

Claim 7

The structure set forth in claim 1 together with means for slidably mounting the main stationary support thereby enabling diagonal fore-aft displacement of the grip.

Claim 8

The structure set forth in claim 1 together with a wrist rest mounted to the main stationary support in aligned proximity to the grip.

Claim 9

A sidestick flight control simulator comprising: a main stationary support; a sidestick grip mounted to a separate support located in spaced relation to the stationary support; means for slidably mounting the main stationary support thereby enabling diagonal fore-aft displacement of the grip; a wrist rest mounted to the main stationary support in aligned proximity to the grip; a pitch assembly including (a) a first clevis for pivotally mounting the grip support thereby allowing pitch deflection of the grip, (b) first spring means for establishing break-away force and force-deflection characteristics, the spring means including a housing fastened to the first clevis and a displaceable rod pivotally mounted to a second clevis which is itself pivotally fastened to the grip support, the rod undergoing spring-loaded linked pitch displacement with the grip, (c) a first damper having its housing fastened to the housing of the first spring means, (d) first bracket means linking a rod of the damper to the spring means rod for damping motion of the spring means rod; a roll assembly including (a) means for pivotally mounting the first clevis in the roll direction, thereby allowing roll deflection of the grip, (b) a third clevis extending to the main stationary support and pivotally mounting a second spring means, (c) a rod of the second spring means having a first end pivotally mounted to the main stationary support while the housing thereof is pivotally mounted to the third clevis, wherein roll deflection of the grip results in spring-loaded linked displacement of the rod simulating force-displacement characteristics in the roll direction, (d) a second damper having its housing fastened to the housing of the second spring means, (e) second bracket means linking a rod of the second damper to the second spring means rod for damping motion of the second spring means.

Claim 10

A sidestick flight control simulator comprising: a main stationary support; a sidestick grip mounted to a separate support located in spaced relation to the stationary support; means for slidably mounting the main stationary support thereby enabling diagonal fore-aft displacement of the grip; a wrist rest mounted to the main stationary support in aligned proximity to the grip; a pitch assembly including (a) a first clevis for pivotally mounting the grip support thereby allowing pitch deflection of the grip, (b) first spring means for establishing break-away force and force-deflection characteristics, the spring means including a housing fastened to the first clevis and a displaceable rod pivotally mounted to a second clevis which is itself pivotally fastened to the grip support, the rod undergoing spring-loaded linked pitch displacement with the grip, (c) a first damper having its housing fastened to the housing of the first spring means, (d) first bracket means linking a rod of the damper to the spring means rod for damping motion of the spring means rod; a roll assembly including (a) means for pivotally mounting the first clevis in the roll direction, thereby allowing roll deflection of the grip, (b) a third clevis extending to the main stationary support and pivotally mounting a second spring means, (c) a rod of the second spring means having a first end pivotally mounted to the main stationary support while the housing thereof is pivotally mounted to the third clevis, wherein roll deflection of the grip results in spring-loaded linked displacement of the rod simulating force-displacement characteristics in the roll direction, (d) a second damper having its housing fastened to the housing of the second spring means, (e) second bracket means linking a rod of the second damper to the second spring means rod for damping motion of the second spring means.

Claim 11

The structure set forth in claim 8 together with: means connected to the first and second spring means for adjusting roll and pitch neutral position of the grip; means for adjusting the lateral position of the third clevis for varying the force versus deflection symmetry of the grip; means mounted to the first and second spring means for adjustably simulating the break-out forces thereof; limit stops located in the first clevis for limiting pitch deflection of the grip; and further limit stops located in the main stationary support for limiting roll deflection of the grip.

Claim 12

The structure set forth in claim 9 together with transducer means for measuring deflection of the grip in pitch and roll.