초록 ▼

The towed glider flight control system of the invention has a towing frame interconnecting and pivotally connected at each end to the towed glider and the towing aircraft. Sensors measuring the angular relationships between the towing frame and the towed glider and the rage of change in these relati

The towed glider flight control system of the invention has a towing frame interconnecting and pivotally connected at each end to the towed glider and the towing aircraft. Sensors measuring the angular relationships between the towing frame and the towed glider and the rage of change in these relationships and sensors measuring flight conditions of the glider and towing aircraft are connected to the input of a computer of which the output connects to the glider aerodynamic control surface. The computer determines differences between sensor sensed parameter values existing when a selected spatial geometric relationship exists between the glider and towing aircraft and sensor parameter values received by the computer from the sensors and from these differences the computer calculates motions required of the glider aerodynamic flight path control surfaces to establish a glider flight which establish and maintain the selected spatial geometric relationship of the glider and towing aircraft.

대표청구항 ▼

In a glider towing system for controlling the spatial relationship of a glider aircraft having aerodynamic control surfaces and a powered towing aircraft interconnected by a rigid tow frame having a first pivotal connection to the towing aircraft at one end and another pivotal connection to the glid

In a glider towing system for controlling the spatial relationship of a glider aircraft having aerodynamic control surfaces and a powered towing aircraft interconnected by a rigid tow frame having a first pivotal connection to the towing aircraft at one end and another pivotal connection to the glider at the other end, sensor means associated with said tow frame and aircraft sensing parameter values indicative of the spatial relationship existing between said glider and towing aircraft and glider flight path control means operable by changes in parameter values sensed by said sensor means from corresponding parameter values indicative of a selected spatial relationship between said aircraft for positioning said glider control surfaces as reestablishes said aircraft selected spatial relationship, the improvement wherein: said sensor means includes a first unit sensing a first parameter value of the vertical elevation angle defined between the longitudinal axes of said tow frame and towing aircraft at said first connection, said glider control surfaces including downwardly extendible wing flaps and upwardly extended wing spoilers and said glider control means includes comparator means determinative of a change in said elevation angle first parameter value from said corresponding first parameter value indicative of said selected aircraft spatial relationship and operable in (1) establishing an extension of said flaps when said determined first parameter elevation angle change is in the direction of an angular decrease of a positive elevation angle and an angular increase of a negative elevation angle and (2) establishing an upward extension of said spoilers when said determined first parameter elevation angle change is in the direction of an angular increase of a positive elevation angle and an angular decrease of a negative elevation angle.