INERTIAL VELOCITY COMMAND SYSTEM

• Main Authors: DRYFOOS, JAMES B, FOGLER, DONALD L., JR, GOLD, PHILLIP J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 14.12.1995
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: AEROPLANES; AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; CONTROLLING; COSMONAUTICS; HELICOPTERS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PHYSICS; REGULATING; SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES; TRANSPORTING

A velocity command system is provided with a velocity stabilization mode wherein aircraft flight path referenced velocities are determined with respect to an inertial frame of reference, the flight path referenced velocities are held constant during pilot commanded yaw maneuvers so that the aircraft maintains a fixed inertial referenced flight path regardless of the pointing direction of the aircraft. Velocity control with respect to an inertial frame of reference is accomplished by controlling the aircraft flight path based on aircraft body referenced commanded lateral and longitudinal acceleration and based on aircraft body referenced lateral and longitudinal centrifugal acceleration. Operation in the velocity stabilization mode is provided in response to the manual activation of the velocity stabilization mode by the pilot, provided that the aircraft is already operating in the ground speed mode and the aircraft is not in a coordinated turn.