US4471439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for aircraft pitch and thrust axes control
Assignee: Boeing Co
•
Filing: 1983-10-28
•
Granted: 1984-09-11
•
Expires: 2003-10-28
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft automatic of semiautomatic vertical path control system which coordinates operation of pitch and engine thrust control systems to transfer speed control from one system to the other depending on a requirement to climb, descend, or maintain altitude as determined by the polarity and magnitude of the difference between a selectable desired altitude and current actual altitude.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Robbins
- 👤 Robert D. Simpson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:48
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/04; G05D1/06; G05D1/0607; G05D1/0615; G05D1/0638
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
In combination in an aircraft for providing speed control throughout the airspeed/mach range of said aircraft: a pitch axis control system; and engine control system; first switch means for selectively providing either an airspeed or mach signal representative of a desired selected reference speed; a single display means for displaying either the airspeed or mach selected by said first switch means; logic means for providing logic command signals in response to desired climb, descend, or maintain altitude maneuvers of said aircraft; and, second switch means responsive to said logic command signals for automatically selecting said pitch axis control system to control the aircraft to said selected reference speed when said aircraft is commanded to climb or descend, and for automatically selecting said engine control system to control the aircraft to said selected reference speed when said aircraft is commanded to maintain altitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
In combination in an aircraft for providing speed control throughout the airspeed/mach range of said aircraft: a pitch axis control system; and engine control system; first switch means for selectively providing either an airspeed or mach signal representative of a desired selected reference speed; a single display means for displaying either the airspeed or mach selected by said first switch means; logic means for providing logic command signals in response to desired climb, descend, or maintain altitude maneuvers of said aircraft; and, second switch means responsive to said logic command signals for automatically selecting said pitch axis control system to control the aircraft to said selected reference speed when said aircraft is commanded to climb or descend, and for automatically selecting said engine control system to control the aircraft to said selected reference speed when said aircraft is commanded to maintain altitude.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3105660A
Cited
US3586268A
Cited
US3691356A
Cited
US3945593A
Cited
US3925777A
Cited
US4129275A
Cited
US3945590A
Cited
US4159088A
Cited
US4312041A
Cited
US4237540A
Cited
US4277041A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-11 | 1988-03-12 | 1988-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-11 | 1992-03-12 | 1992-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-11 | 1996-03-12 | 1996-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |