Trim reference for helicopter feel augmentation system

Claim 2

In a control system for generating a variable output signal, first and second cooperating members comprising respectively the rotor and housing of a potentiometer producing an output signal variable as a function of the relative positions of said two members, and first and second independently and continuously rotatable input elements, said first input element being connected with said first member and said second input element being connected with said second member, rotation of either of said input elements producing a change in the position of the member to which it is connected relative to the other said member irrespective of the position of the other said input element.

Claim 3

A control system as in claim 1 and including first and second stepping motors respectively responsive to the position of said first and second input elements for independently controlling the position of said first and second members.

Claim 4

Apparatus for producing a variable output signal which is independently controllable by either of two continuously variable input elements comprising a potentiomEter having a movable rotor and a movable housing member, said rotor being contained within said housing member, said rotor and said housing member interacting to produce an output signal determined by the relative positions therebetween, first and second independently and continuously rotatable input elements, a first stepping motor responsive to the position of said first input element for positioning said movable rotor relative to said housing member independently of the position of said housing member and of the position of said second input element, and a second stepping motor responsive to the position of said second input element for positioning said housing member relative to said rotor independently of the position of said rotor and of the position of the said first input element.

Claim 5

Apparatus for producing a variable output signal which is independently controllable by either of two continuously variable input elements comprising a potentiomEter having a movable rotor and a movable housing member, said rotor being contained within said housing member, said rotor and said housing member interacting to produce an output signal determined by the relative positions therebetween, first and second independently and continuously rotatable input elements, a first stepping motor responsive to the position of said first input element for positioning said movable rotor relative to said housing member independently of the position of said housing member and of the position of said second input element, and a second stepping motor responsive to the position of said second input element for positioning said housing member relative to said rotor independently of the position of said rotor and of the position of the said first input element.

Claim 6

Apparatus as in claim 3 in which said rotatable input elements comprise a stationary outer member, an inner member rotatable within said outer member, an input brush mounted on said outer member, a source of voltage connected with said input brush, a plurality of conductive elements mounted peripherally about said inner member, said input brush contacting said conductive elements serially upon rotation of said inner member within said outer member, a plurality of output brushes mounted on said outer member and in contact with selected ones of said conductive elements, and means for connecting selected ones of said output brushes with the input windings of said stepping motor to cause said stepping motor to rotate when said inner means is rotated within said outer member.

Claim 7

Apparatus for adjusting the trim position of an aircraft control stick from two independent locations comprising first and second thumbwheels, each of said thumbwheels being continuously rotatable and producing a control signal in response to rotation thereof, first and second stepping motors responsive respectively to the said control signals generated by movement of said thumbwheels, a potentiometer having a movable housing and a movable rotor, said housing being connected to one of said stepping motors and said rotor being connected to the other of said stepping motors, the relative position between said rotor and said housing producing an output signal, and means responsive to said output signal for generating a force on said aircraft control stick tending to vary the trim position thereof.

Claim 8

Apparatus for adjusting the trim position of an aircraft control stick from two independent locations comprising first and second thumbwheels, each of said thumbwheels being continuously rotatable and producing a control signal in response to rotation thereof, first and second stepping motors responsive respectively to the said control signals generated by movement of said thumbwheels, a potentiometer having a movable housing and a movable rotor, said housing being connected to one of said stepping motors and said rotor being connected to the other of said stepping motors, the relative position between said rotor and said housing producing an output signal, and means responsive to said output signal for generating a force on said aircraft control stick tending to vary the trim position thereof.