초록 ▼

A throttle controller includes a manual mode where engine output is a function of throttle lever angle, and an alternatively selectable Speed Hold/Thrust Hold mode which is initiated when the throttle is placed in a center Hold position. Throttle operation during the Speed Hold mode is governed by (

A throttle controller includes a manual mode where engine output is a function of throttle lever angle, and an alternatively selectable Speed Hold/Thrust Hold mode which is initiated when the throttle is placed in a center Hold position. Throttle operation during the Speed Hold mode is governed by (i) a selected speed entered at a mode control panel, or (ii) a speed existing when the lever was placed in the Hold detent, given that no speed is entered and selected at that mode control panel or (iii) a selected speed/thrust designated in a flight plan entered into the aircraft\s flight management computer. During the Thrust Hold mode, the throttle controller maintains the level of thrust which existed when the throttle lever was placed in the Hold detent. When out of the Hold detent, the controller operates to control output thrust as a function of Throttle Lever Angle (TLA). Failure of the Speed Hold mode or Flight Plan mode, causes autothrottle operation to default through a priority scheme, which generally results in a mode where the airspeed existing at the time of failure is maintained. In order to allow the pilot to make very small changes in engine thrust without increasing the total range of throttle movement, every time the throttle is placed in the center Hold position a new thrust versus throttle lever angle function is calculated to afford increased throttle movement sensitivity.

대표청구항 ▼

An engine throttle control system comprising: a. throttle control means including (i) means for sensing a position of a throttle lever which is movable between a first position and a second position in a manner that there are a plurality of throttle lever positions between the first position and the

An engine throttle control system comprising: a. throttle control means including (i) means for sensing a position of a throttle lever which is movable between a first position and a second position in a manner that there are a plurality of throttle lever positions between the first position and the second position, and (ii) means for generating a signal of the sensed throttle lever position; and b. means, responsive to the sensed position signal, for generating a control signal for controlling an output level of the engine as a function of the throttle lever position, the control signal generating means including 1) means for generating the control signal in a manner such that a plurality of intermediate positions of the throttle lever between the first position and the second position selects a first range of engine output levels, and such that a reference position of the throttle located between the first throttle position and the second throttle position selects a mode of engine operation in which the engine output level is maintained at a selected level when the throttle lever is moved from the intermediate throttle lever position to the reference position, and 2) means, responsive to the sensed position signal of the throttle lever in the reference position, for generating control signals for selecting a second range of engine output levels which corresponds to the intermediate throttle lever positions and which replaces the first range of selected engine output levels, in a manner that when the throttle lever is moved from the reference throttle lever position to the intermediate throttle lever positions, the second range of engine output levels is selected.