AIRCRAFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR

Abstract: An aircraft flight simulator having a cockpit mounted for six degrees of freedom provided by multiple jacks. A visual display means (42) produces an image visible within the cockpit and a computer (37) controls the movement of the cockpit in correspondence with the image of the display. An operator controls the simulation via an external terminal (44), however the pilot may over-ride the control programme to a limited extent. Sound effects (41) including speech synthesis are also provided.

Description: AIRCRAFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR TECHNICAL FIELD 1. This invention relates to the novel use of certain known apparatus described hereunder to be so used in unison as to produce a Physical and Visual effect of travelling in an aircraft in order to so simulate the actual experience of a flight that a person may, in fact, have that experience while being seated in the Simulator. 2. The purpose of this invention is to provide the user public with a facility to experience the sensation of travelling in an aircraft by simulating that sensation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The invention relates to an aircraft flight simulator. 2. Discussion of Prior Art There are many inventions of a highly sophisticated and complex construction in use in the training of aircraft pilots for private and commercial licences and the advanced training of licenced pilots. Of a far less and simpler construction are those computerised amusement machines which provide little physical experience other than an optical view of a competitive game. It is the objective of this invention to provide all the physical experience associated with the sequence of flying an aircraft. It is an aircraft flight simulator of original design which bridges the gap between "flight training simulators" and "amusement machines" by providing the public with the factual experience of flying in an aircraft with safe participation. 3. The simulator is co-ordinated by computer and mounted on multiple hydraulic jacks allowing movement in six (6) degrees of motion. Through pilot input of the throttle, control column and rudder pedal the computer will determine by calculations all of the aircraft's movements and inertias, by Servo controlled hydraulic actuators. This would also co-ordinate visual, audible and sensual information. 4. The simulator is further enhanced: (a) Through the projection of certain visual images on to a screen wherein the persons viewing that screen are restricted from seeing any subject outside the aircraft, other than that on the said screen. (b) To this visual image a sound effects system is correlated to produce those sounds related to the aircraft's flight and ground movements with relevant sounds. (c) Both pilot and passenger seats incorporate controlled pressure pads, which simulate the effect of acceleration, deceleration and turning movement of the aircraft as projected on the screen viewed by the pilot and the passenger. SUMMARY OF INVENTION 1. Through the projection of certain visual images on to a screen or screens wherein the person or persons viewing that screen are restricted from seeing any other subject other than that on the said screen or screens. 2. In conjunction with that said visual image, experiencing the physical movement associated with the actual flight movement of the flight sequence being exposed to the person or persons' visual perception on the said screen or screens which is or are being viewed. 3. This novel and unique simulation is achieved by using the following known devices: 4. A seat or seats in a mobile housing, fully supported on movable mountings capable of constantly altering the position of said seat and housing in vertical, horizontal, and lateral positions, so related as to reproduce movements comparable with those of a flight sequence being visually shown on said screen or screens. 5. The said projection screen system is that of one or more screens on which is being reproduced the images recorded on laser disc with visual effects from film and/or computer generated graphics, using one or more projectors. 6. The vertical, horizontal and lateral movements of the seat and housing are regulated by a system of levers, linkages, cylinders and/or jacks electrically and/or hydraulically and/or pneumatically operated and actuated by the use of one or more computers according to a computerised programme compilated in relation to a given flight sequence selected for a "Simulation experience". 7. The system is so designed that computerised movement programme may be overriden to a pre-determined degree by the pilot of the aircraft, to provide for interaction and/or participation. 8. The control of this simulator is through the development of a computer comprising C.P.U., V.D.U., ■K.B.D. dual disc drives. The computer will determine by calculations all the simulator's movements and inertias of the aircraft flight sequence being displayed on ' said screen or screens, by servo controlled hydraulic activators. This will co-ordinate visual, audible and sensual information. 9. The aircraft flight simulator is of original design which supersedes any other concept for providing the sensation of flying in an aircraft other than those highly complex simulators used for pilot training. 10. By creating the means of a realistic aircraft simulator and by using the most convincing means to obtain visual realism through the use of multi-screen presentation which involves using separate screens as follows: A. Master colour video projection screens to provide the forward cockpit view. B. Multiple monochrome or colour video projection screen or screens to provide computer generated radar signals and instrument and/or weapon electronic measure data, using the multiple computer systems under the command of the master computer to create visual effects of any desired nature. 11. A computer speech synthesis is used to create realistic means of interaction communicating with the cockpit crew. 12. With a vital supporting special effects system which may include computer generated sound effects of engine noises, missile "in-flight" firing, missile impact, sounds and voice commands. 13. The systems incorporated in the simulator pilot's cockpit are readily usable by "a first-time pilot" or novice pilot, although complex and convincing. The system however can operate itself and take a pilot and/or a passenger on a convincing flight while allowing and encouraging either or both to participate. The instalation includes a failsafe system which takes over if the situation becomes uncontrollable due to pilot error. 14. CONSTRUCTION OF THE INVENTION 1. A cockpit-like enclosure which contains and provides: (Figure 5/7) A. Two or more seats which incorporate pressure pads to simulate the body pressure experienced in real flight. (Figure 6/7) B. Flight control mechanism such as rudder pedals, control column which may include missile firing button, engine speed control, flaps, spoilers, retractible under-carriage and wheel brake controls. C. Replicas of all flight instruments applicable to an actual aircraft instrument panel. D. Computer generated radar signal receiving screen or screens. E. What would be the front or forward windscreen on an actual aircraft is a computer controlled video projection screen, onto which may be projected an image and computer generated graphs of those scenes associated with an aircraft's takeoff and subsequent flight path. F. A sound system which simulates those noises associated with aircraft engine sounds, such as engine starting, engine running prior to takeoff, takeoff, and those engine sounds related with the flight path being viewed on the pilot's simulated front or forward screen or screens. G. A voice and/or computer speech synthesis sound system for communicating with cockpit crew (pilot and passenger), which may be through headphone gear. 15. The cockpit-like enclosure is supported on, and is actively moveable, through a system of levers, linkages, cylinders and/or jacks electrically and/or hydraulically and/or pneumatically operated (Figures 1, 2 , 3 and 4) and actuated by the use of one or more computers according to a computerised programme compilated in relation to a given simulated aircraft flight sequence. This system enables the cockpit-like enclosure to be actuated in a manner corresponding to the flight path images displayed ' on the screen permitting controlled movement in fore and aft, vertical, side to side, rotational, yaw and tilt movements, separately, or all at any one time in unison. Hereinafter, given by way of example only, is a preferred embodiment of the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1/7 Schematic layout of simulator module supporting and actuating system. I . Base mounting plate for simulator jacks. 2&3. Jack cylinders 6-7 base attachment plates to base (1 ). 4&5. Top attachment plates for jacks 8 & 9. 6. Forward and backward lateral movement actuator jack. 7. Side to side lateral movement actuator jack. 8. Tilt up and down in vertical plane actuator jack. 9. Roll left and right in lateral plane actuator jack. 10. Simulator module main lower support mounting plate. II. Main vertical supporting actuator jack attachment collarplate for jacks 6 and 7. Figure 2/7 Front view of simulator module actuating jacks 7-9 and main support jack 14. 12. Base attachment mounting of simulator module. 13. Main vertical supporting actuator jack bottom attachment plate to 1. 14. Main vertical supporting actuator jack. 15. Attachment collar to jack 14 for roll left and right lateral plane actuator jack 9. 19. Top mounting attachment of jack 14 piston. Figure 3/7 Side view of simulator module actuating jacks 6-8 and main support jack 14. 16. Yaw axis actuating jack cylinder attached to simulator module main lower support mounting plate 10. 17. Yaw axis actuating jack piston attachment to base attachment mounting 12 of simulator module. 19. Top mounting attachment of jack 14 piston. Figure 4/7 Plan view underside of simulator module main lower support mounting plate 10 and cut out track 17A for yaw axis jack 17 travel. 18. Four (4) roller bearings supporting base attachment mounting 12 of simulator module 20. 19. Top mounting bearing attachment of main vertical supporting actuator jack 14 cylinder. Figure 5/7 Line illustration only of simulator module showing lower support mounting 10 and base attachment mounting 12. 20. An optional design of a "module housing for simulator" which encloses all cockpit type simulating equipment and seats 24. 21. Access door - 1 each side of module 20. 22. "Bellows type" collar enclosing movement mechanism. 23. Optional design platform and steps for access to simulator module. Figure 6/7 Schematic layout of driver and passenger seat illustrating inflation pads to give inertia effect to occupant. 24. Back of seat. 25. Seat base of seat. 26. Left side back of seat pad. 27. Right side back of seat pad. 28. Centre of back of seat pad. 29. Left pad in seat base. 30. Right pad in seat base. 31. Air flow control valve for pad 27. 32. Air flow control valve for pad 28. 33. Air flow control valve for pad 26. 34. Air flow control valve for pad 29. 35. Air flow control valve for pad 30. 36. Air supply pipelines. Figure 7/7 The schematic illustration of the electronic control system wherein: 34. Is the analogue to digital convertors for positional sensing. 35. Is the digital to analogue convertors for positional driving of hydraulics. 36. Is the operator controls. 37. Is the computer controller for the simulator. 38. Is the pilot input for activating simulator control. 39. Is the pilot output for active outputs for simulator display and cockpit instrumentation. Figure 7/7 Continued: 40. Is the motion FX for inertia seat emulators. 41. Is the sound FX sound generator and/or digital sampler for engine and related aircraft sounds. 42. Is the video interface to laser disc controller and projector. 43. Console for communication to external computer. 44. Front of house terminal for keyboard input and ticket printout and display visual - operated by operator attendant.

Claims: The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. The present invention consists of an aircraft flight simulator, incorporating: A. A simulated cockpit containing seating means. B. Supported means supporting the cockpit on a base frame such that the cockpit may be moved about the base. C. Movement means connected between the base frame and the supporting means to move the cockpit. D. Visual display means to display an image visible from the seating means. E. Control means to control the movement means such that the cockpit may be moved in a manner corresponding to images displayed on the visual display means. 2. An aircraft flight simulator as claimed in Claim 1 in which the supporting means is such that the cockpit may be moved with at least two degrees of rotational freedom and two degrees of fore and aft freedom. 3. An aircraft flight simulator as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the supporting means comprises means connected to the cockpit such that the cockpit may be moved about horizontal axes, the means being mounted for movement in two vertical planes- and yaw axes. 4. An aircraft flight simulator as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 in which the movement means comprise an array of hydraulic or pneumatic rams. 5. An aircraft flight simulator as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the visual display means comprises a video projector as to occupy substantially all of the field of vision of a user in the seat means. 6. An aircraft flight simulator as claimed in Claim 5 in which the control means comprises a mechanism which activates the support means such that the cockpit is caused to move in a manner dictated by encoded instructions which correspond to the movements of an aircraft on which the image being shown on the video screen was compilated. 7. An aircraft flight simulator as claimed in Claim 6 in which the mechanism which activates the support means comprises a microprocessor programmed to control the support means in synchronisation with the image being projected onto the video screen when the aircraft flight simulator is in operation. - I S 8. An aircraft flight simulator as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 in which the control means comprise manually operable means in the cockpit which can or may activate the support means in a limited degree of effect. 9. An aircraft flight simulator as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 in which the cockpit is of monocoque construction and contains two seats or more. 10. An aircraft flight simulator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 11. The system is so designed that computerised movement programme may be overridden to a pre-determined degree by the pilot of the aircraft to provide for interaction and/or participation. 12. The said Simulator is so constructed that the operation of the simulated experience may be actuated either by an operator attendant or coin-operated control box. 13. The said Simulation includes sound effects from one or more sound effect generators, including using computer speech synthesis and/or pre-recorded voice tracks. - l b - 14. The said Simulator provides for the use of laser disc to achieve visual realism, and to simulate the firing of missiles, if so required. 15. The said Simulator has fail-safe systems capable of taking over if the situation created by the pilot becomes uncontrollable. 16. The said Simulation equipment and parts are enclosed in a mobile housing construction capable of easy handling for various locations, with door or doors for egress.

Inventors: JAMES CHRISTOPHER, JAMES, CHRISTOPHER
Applicants: JAMES CHRISTOPHER, JAMES, CHRISTOPHER
Application year: 1985
Main classification: G09B9
IPC codes: G09B9