Abstract:
The present invention provides a unique and novel device for indicating flight information to a pilot or co-pilot of an aircraft. The present invention is adapted to fit into an existing aircraft instrument panel at the location of, for example, a VSI instrument, and provides a digital display capable of providing a vast array of information to a pilot or co-pilot without the need to mechanically retrofit the instrument panel or replace safety-critical critical instruments.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/680,415, filed May 12, 2005. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC  
       [0003]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention relates generally to an aircraft vertical speed indicator (VSI), and more specifically to computerized VSI adapted to be inserted into an existing VSI instrument panel opening and providing added functionality to a pilot without the need to replace critical instruments or perform instrument panel modification.  
         [0005]     The form factor of a standard VSI is referred to in the industry as a standard 3-inch round instrument, the instrument having a 3-inch round bezel that protrudes through the instrument panel into which the VSI is inserted, three mounting screws, a round glass faceplate protecting the needle assembly, and a “dog-leg” protrusion located on the lower left of the instrument face. This dog-leg area is used to locate a calibration adjustment (typically in the form of a slotted screw head) that is used to bias out needle errors and is used specifically with the VSI instrument and the altimeter. The remainder of the VSI instrument is typically located behind the instrument panel, and is of varying sizes and shapes.  
         [0006]     A VSI is typically located in the “standard six” instrument cluster. This cluster is a grouping of six instruments, organized as three instruments across and two instruments high. The “standard six” instrument cluster is typically positioned in front of the pilot or co-pilot of an aircraft. A VSI traditionally resides in the lower right position within this standard instrument cluster, which puts it virtually directly in front of the pilot and biased slightly downward and to the right. The instrument panel space directly in front of the pilot, and including this instrument cluster, is referred to as being within the “primary instrument scan” of the pilot. This space is of especially high value while operating the aircraft as it requires little or no head movement to monitor the information presented.  
         [0007]     A VSI instrument is unique in that it is one of the lowest criticality instruments residing within the standard six instrument cluster. More importantly, for traditional small-piston aircraft that make up the most populous segment of the domestic aircraft fleet, it is not a required instrument by regulation. Criticality refers to the safety implications if the instrument fails or provides incorrect information. If the VSI fails in any manner, the pilot reverts to the obvious and independent source of altitude information that is displayed on the adjacent altimeter. As such, the rate information provided by the VSI is used simply as a convenient method to control and monitor rates, while the altitude is the important piece of information that affects aircraft safety.  
         [0008]     The low criticality, wide spread use, and non-required nature of the VSI instrument makes it a unique candidate for improvement. The present invention takes advantage of these unique characteristics and provides augmented functionality in a novel manner within the VSI form factor.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention provides an instrument for use in an aircraft instrument panel. The instrument includes an electronic display potion for providing information to an aircraft pilot. The instrument is sized and shaped such that it may be inserted into an opening traditionally containing a traditional vertical speed indication.  
         [0010]     The information provided by the instrument to a pilot may be of any suitable type, though in one embodiment of the present invention the information provided is selected from the group consisting of vertical speed, altitude, maps, navigation data, terrain data, traffic data, lighting data, engine data, performance data, fuel data, and combinations thereof.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, the present instrument further includes a flange portion that defines a perimeter of the display portion, the flange portion including an opening adapted to receive a fastener such that the instrument may be removably attached to an aircraft instrument panel.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the instrument includes a photo cell that is capable of sensing the ambient lighting, the photo cell being in electronic communication with the display portion such that the brightness of the display can be modified as needed according to the ambient lighting.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the instrument includes a housing portion extending from the flange portion and defining a perimeter of the display portion. In still another embodiment of the present invention, the instrument further includes a dog-leg portion extending away from the housing along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the flange portion.  
         [0014]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic display portion is preferably an LCD.  
         [0015]     The present invention also provides an aircraft instrument panel having included therein an instrument as described above and throughout the present disclosure. The aircraft instrument panel may include a standard six cluster of instruments, and in some embodiments having such a cluster, the present invention occupies the lower right portion of the cluster.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  provides a schematic view of one embodiment of a VSI device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  provides a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a VSI device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  provides a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a VSI device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  provides a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a VSI device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  provides a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a VSI device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  provides a schematic view of a typical aircraft instrument panel, showing a VSI device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention inserted therein.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     The present invention utilizes an electronic display such as, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), the display being merged into the unique VSI form factor and digitally replicating the VSI functionality on the display, thereby allowing a vast array of additional information to be presented on the display screen. The VSI functionality is preferably implemented via a vertically-oriented tape-type indicator on the display, thereby requiring minimal display space.  
         [0023]     The display, whether LCD or otherwise, is driven by a set of electronics residing either within the instrument itself or located elsewhere on an aircraft. The unique mechanical aspects of a traditional VSI are preferably retained, including the dog-leg portion of the traditional VSI. This portion of the instrument may, however, be used to locate a control knob providing user interface functionality to the unit, as the adjustment screw provided with a traditional mechanical VSI is not required. The present device may include internal rate sensing, such as that derived from an integrated pressure transducer, or may obtain and/or compute rate information from external equipment, such as from an air-data computer. Any other suitable method of obtaining or providing rate data may also be used, and it is contemplated that the present device may use a combination of internal and external rate sensing or measurement. The present instrument is sized, shaped, and configured such that it allows direct replacement of a traditional VSI instrument with no aircraft instrument panel modifications.  
         [0024]     The remaining, unused portion of the display of the present device may be used for displaying virtually any flight information or annunciation deemed valuable to a pilot. Such displays may include, among other data, moving maps, navigation, terrain, traffic, lightning, engine and general aircraft status or performance, or combinations of these and others. Indicator lamps such as altitude, terrain warning, cabin pressure, and gear alerting may also be integrated with the present device.  
         [0025]     Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like parts, the numeral  10  indicates generally an instantaneous vertical air speed instrument (IVSI) device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Instrument  10  includes generally a display screen  12  (such as, for example, an LCD), a flange  14 , openings  16 , annunciator lamps  18 , and protective covering  20 .  
         [0026]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , display screen  12  is oriented in a horizontal or “landscape” orientation, with VSI graduation marks located to the right of display screen  12 . It is contemplated that any suitable markings may be provided with the present device, or that marking may instead be omitted all together, being provided on display screen  12  itself rather than separately therefrom.  
         [0027]     Flange  14  is preferably provided extending along a periphery of instrument  10 , providing support thereto as well as a mechanism by which instrument  10  may be secured in place in an aircraft instrument panel. Openings  16  are provided such that screws or other fasteners may be used to secure instrument  10  to an aircraft instrument panel. It is contemplate that flange  14  may be constructed of any suitable material, including metals or suitable polymers.  
         [0028]     Annunciator lamps  18 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , provide additional functionality to instrument  10 . As shown in the figure, three lamps  18  are present, one providing an indicator for altitude and two providing indicators for terrain. While annunciator lamps  18  are preferably provided with instrument  10 , it is contemplated that they may be omitted entirely, or that annunciator lamps may provide information other than that shown in the figure. Although three annunciator lamps  18  are shown, any suitable number of annunciator lamps (whether a single lamp, more than one lamp, or no lamps at all) may be utilized.  
         [0029]     Protective covering  20  is secured over display  12  in order to protect it from damage. Protective covering  20  may be constructed from glass, as traditionally used in aircraft instrumentation, or may be constructed from any other suitable materials, including any of various polymers, provided that the material allows a pilot to view display  12  through protective covering  20 .  
         [0030]     Also shown in  FIG. 1  is a housing portion  34  extending around a perimeter of the instrument, housing portion  34  preferably being substantially circular in shape. Housing portion  34  preferably extends cylindrically along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper on which  FIG. 1  is shown, housing the electronic components of the present device therein. It is contemplated, however, that any suitable shape of housing portion  34  may be used. Housing portion  34  may be constructed from plastic, other polymers, metal, or any suitable material or combination of materials.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1  also shows a dog-leg portion  30  located at the lower right portion of instrument  10 . Dog-leg portion  30  may be omitted entirely, though it is preferably present and may be utilized as described with respect to  FIG. 2 , below. As shown in  FIG. 1 , dog-leg portion  30  preferably extends away from housing portion  34  and is formed integrally therewith.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  provides a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of an instrument constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the instrument being designated generally by the numeral  110 . Instrument  110  includes generally a display portion  112 , a flange  114 , openings  116 , annunciator lamps  118 , protective covering  120 , and hosing portion  134 . These components of instrument  110  are substantially the same as the corresponding components described with respect to instrument  10 , above. As shown in  FIG. 2 , display  112  is oriented in a vertical or “portrait” orientation. Dog-leg portion  130  of instrument  110  includes a control knob  132  to control the information displayed on display portion  112 . Control knob  132  may also be used to make adjustments to the information displayed on display portion  112 . Although dog-leg portion  130  is depicted as having a control knob  132  associated therewith, it is contemplated that buttons, switches, or any other method of controlling or adjusting the information displayed on display portion  112  may be provided.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  provides a schematic view of another alternative embodiment of an instrument constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the instrument being indicated generally by the numeral  210 . Instrument  210  includes generally a display portion  212 , a flange  214 , openings  216 , protective covering  220 , and housing portion  234 . These components of instrument  210  are substantially the same as the corresponding components described with respect to instrument  10 , above. As shown in  FIG. 3 , display  212  is oriented in a vertical or “portrait” orientation. Although instrument  210  is not shown as including annunciator lamps as provided in the embodiment above, it is contemplated that such annunciator lamps may be provided with the embodiment of the present instrument shown in  FIG. 3 . Various areas of the schematic illustration of  FIG. 3  provide additional functionality that may be provided with various embodiments of the present invention. For example, area  222  provides a top-down view of a relative terrain profile, area  224  provides a side-view terrain profile, area  226  provides a digital vertical speed indication, area  228  provides a barometric setting, and area  230  provides a rising terrain bar that gives a pilot a graphical rendering of height above ground. These features are all included in the present instrument such that they are provided to a pilot without the need to substantially alter the aircraft instrument panel or eliminate critical instruments.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  provides a schematic view of another alternative embodiment of an instrument constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the instrument being indicated generally by the numeral  310 . Instrument  310  includes generally a display portion  312 , a flange  314 , openings  316 , annunciator lamps  318 , and protective covering  320 . These components of instrument  310  are substantially the same as the corresponding components described with respect to instrument  10 , above. Although no dog-leg portion is shown in  FIG. 4 , it is contemplated that the embodiment of the present invention shown in the figure may include such a dog-leg portion. As shown in  FIG. 4 , display  312  is oriented in a horizontal or “landscape” orientation. Area  322  of instrument  310  provides a forward looking, synthetic vision of rising terrain profiles. Area  324  may provide additional information such as, for example, a compass or other directional indicator. Likewise, any suitable information or data may be provided in areas  326  or  328 , and these areas may be sized, shaped, and located along display portion  312  as necessary or desirable.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  provides a schematic view of another alternative embodiment of an instrument constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the instrument being indicated generally by the numeral  410 . Instrument  410  includes generally a display portion  412 , a flange  414 , openings  416 , protective covering  420 , and housing portion  434 . Display  412  of instrument  410  is provided in a horizontal or “landscape” position. Areas of display  412  are adapted to provide a variety of information to a pilot. For example, area  414  provides a vertical speed indicator scale, area  416  provides a rising terrain bar, and area  418  provides additional navigation data. Also provided is photo cell  436 , allowing instrument  410  to automatically dim or brighten display  412  depending on the ambient light levels.  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of an aircraft instrument panel showing an embodiment of instrument  10  positioned therein. As can be seen from the figure, critical instruments are not sacrificed in order to provide the added functionality provided by the present invention. This alleviates problems associated in the art stemming from the need to modify the instrument panel or replace or relocate existing equipment in order to provide additional functionality. When using the present instrument, the space constraints associated with aircraft instrument panels do not pose a problem.  
         [0037]     The detailed description set forth above is provided to aid those skilled in the art in practicing the present invention. The invention described and claimed herein, however, is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments disclosed because these embodiments are intended to be illustrative of several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. Various modifications of the invention which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention, in addition to those shown and described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description.  
         [0038]     For example, an embodiment of the present device may be provided having an instantaneous vertical speed instrument, thereby providing an enhancement of vertical speed response time with respect to traditional pneumatic-type instruments. Likewise, it is contemplated that while the present instrument is preferably located in place of a traditional VSI instrument, the present instrument may be located in other positions on the aircraft instrument panel. Further, the VSI bar of the present instrument may be located on the left side of the instrument to mimic the point location of a traditional VSI, thereby providing information in the location at which a pilot is accustomed to looking for it.  
         [0039]     It is also contemplated that any of the various features or information provided by the present invention may be moved to different locations on display  12  without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, in  FIG. 3  the rising terrain bar may be provided on top of the VSI bar.  
         [0040]     The present instrument may also be provided with an integral pressure sensor used to determine both vertical speed and pressure altitude directly within the unit, thereby eliminating the need for an external air data computer connection.  
         [0041]     Such modifications as those above are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Various other modifications will be apparent to those in skill of the art upon reading this disclosure. The examples and embodiments described above are exemplary and are not intended to limit to scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.