Patent ID: 8401716
Filing Date: 2013-03-19
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a control surface on an aircraft, said control surface having a first independent section and a second independent section, said method comprising: providing a device which receives inputs from a user via a mechanical system and angularly displaces said first section using a hydraulic device which is acted on by the mechanical system without any computer-aided correction; receiving readings including (i) force measurements representative of operator effort from force sensors located on a pilot-operated control means which is a part of the mechanical system, and (ii) acceleration, airspeed, and altitude parameters into a computer system, the computer system using the readings to electronically control said second section and angularly displace said second section, the second section compensating for the lack of computer-aided correction given to the first section, the aerodynamic sum of effects caused by positions of the first section and second section together resulting in a desired aircraft response; and providing an artificial feel system in the mechanical, system which provides variable resistance to the control means based either on aircraft performance parameters or nonlinear force curves.