Aircrew automation system and method
Inventors
Duda, Jessica E. • Tylko, John • Mindell, David • KUNZI, FABRICE • Piedmonte, Michael • Allee, John • Torgerson, Joshua • Ryan, Jason • Paduano, James Donald • Wissler, John Brooke • Musto, Andrew • Feenstra, Wendy
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10359779-B2
Publication Date
2019-07-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
An aircrew automation system that provides a pilot with high-fidelity knowledge of the aircraft's physical state, and notifies that pilot of any deviations in expected state based on predictive models. The aircrew automation may be provided as a non-invasive ride-along aircrew automation system that perceives the state of the aircraft through visual techniques, derives the aircraft state vector and other aircraft information, and communicates any deviations from expected aircraft state to the pilot.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an aircrew automation system for use in an aircraft. The system includes a core platform to operatively connect a plurality of systems or subsystems via one or more interfaces, and a human machine interface operatively coupled with the core platform to provide an interface between a pilot and the aircrew automation system. A knowledge acquisition system is operatively coupled with the core platform to determine information specific to the aircraft.
The system further includes a perception system operatively coupled with the core platform to monitor one or more cockpit instruments of the aircraft to generate flight situation data. In another formulation, the system includes an aircraft state monitoring system coupled with the core platform to collect or generate flight situation data. The flight situation data is used for command generation and system operation via the core platform.
The invention includes an actuation architecture for controlling aircraft flight controls based in response to commands from the core platform. The primary actuation system controls at least one primary flight control and includes an articulating arm and a gripper to engage the at least one primary flight control, with a frame and a multiple-degree-of-freedom connection. The architecture can include a secondary actuation system distinct from the primary actuation system.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims define an aircrew automation system with a core platform, pilot-facing human machine interface, aircraft-specific knowledge acquisition, flight situation data generation via perception or state monitoring, and primary actuation including an articulating arm and gripper engaging primary flight controls. The number of core inventive features is centered on these elements, with additional coverage for command-responsive actuation, task list display, and optional secondary actuation.
Core platform connection of system plurality via interfaces
A core platform to operatively connect a plurality of systems or subsystems via one or more interfaces.
Human machine interface between pilot and aircrew automation system
A human machine interface operatively coupled with the core platform to provide an interface between a pilot and the aircrew automation system.
Aircraft-specific knowledge acquisition
A knowledge acquisition system operatively coupled with the core platform to determine information specific to the aircraft.
Perception monitoring of cockpit instruments to generate flight situation data
A perception system operatively coupled with the core platform to monitor one or more cockpit instruments of the aircraft to generate flight situation data.
Aircraft state monitoring to collect or generate flight situation data
An aircraft state monitoring system coupled with the core platform to collect or generate flight situation data.
Primary actuation with articulating arm and gripper engaging primary flight control
A primary actuation system to control at least one primary flight control of the aircraft, wherein the primary actuation system includes an articulating arm and a gripper to engage the at least one primary flight control.
Actuation based on commands from the core platform
An actuation system operatively coupled with the core platform to actuate one or more flight controls of the aircraft based in response to commands from the core platform.
Task list display via touch screen human machine interface
The human machine interface is configured to display a plurality of tasks via a touch screen display in a form of a task list.
Primary actuation frame and articulating arm with gripper distal end via multiple-DOF connection
The primary actuation system includes a frame, an articulating arm coupled to the frame at its proximal end, and a distal-end gripper that engages at least one primary flight control, wherein a gripper is connected to an articulating arm through a multiple-degree-of-freedom connection.
Secondary actuation system distinct from primary actuation system
A separate secondary actuation system distinct from the primary actuation system.
Secondary actuation with XY-plotter X-axis and Y-axis and tool controller
The secondary actuation system uses an XY-plotter, a tool, and a controller to move the tool along a Y-axis and an X-axis to engage secondary flight controls of the aircraft.
The claim coverage centers on a core platform linking subsystems, pilot interaction through a human machine interface, aircraft-specific knowledge acquisition, flight situation data generation via perception or state monitoring, and primary control of primary flight controls through an articulating arm and gripper. Additional coverage specifies actuation in response to core-platform commands, task-list presentation via a touch screen, and optional extension to a distinct secondary actuation system and its XY-plotter-based secondary control engagement.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Normal flight operation.
Anomaly detection via machine learning thresholds.
Contingency operation using contingency procedures.
Trend recognition.
Flight data logging for training/debrief.
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