Vertical Gust Suppression System for Transport Aircraft

• Main Authors: BORLAND CHRISTOPHER J, MCMULLIN DIANNE L, COLEMAN EDWARD E, WALTON VINCENT M, NAJMABADI KIOUMARS, SIU TZE L, MARQUIS DAVID P
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 18.06.2009
• Subjects: CONTROLLING; PHYSICS; REGULATING; SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES

A method for vertical gust suppression due to turbulence for an aircraft having at least one of direct lift control surfaces or pitch control surfaces. The method includes sensing atmospheric turbulence, measuring the sensed atmospheric turbulence to generate turbulence data, generating a command based on the turbulence data, and applying the command to aircraft controls to actuate the direct lift control surfaces or the pitch control surfaces based on the turbulence data. Therefore, an aircraft response to the actuation of the direct lift control surfaces or the pitch control surfaces reduces a vertical acceleration, a pitch acceleration, a pitch rate, a pitch attitude or a structural load of the aircraft due to the turbulence. Thus, the method reduces the effects of vertical gusts of wind on the aircraft, improves the comfort level for aircraft passengers and crew, and reduces diversions the aircraft may take to avoid the turbulence.