Active control column with manually activated reversion to passive control column

摘要

An active control column transitionable to a fully passive state for an aircraft and methods of use are provided. The control column includes a passive feedback arrangement, a stick and a ground lock mechanism is provided. The passive feedback arrangement is moveable relative to a mechanical ground to adjust a feedback profile provided to the stick. The stick is movable relative to the mechanical ground and the passive feedback arrangement. The ground lock mechanism has a locked state in which the passive feedback arrangement is maintained in a fixed position relative to the mechanical ground. This places the control column in a fully passive state. The ground lock mechanism also has a normal state in which the passive feedback arrangement is permitted to move relative to the mechanical ground such that active feedback can be provided to the stick.

主权项

1. A control column for an aircraft comprising:
a passive feedback arrangement moveable relative to a mechanical ground; a stick movable relative to the mechanical ground; and a ground lock mechanism having a locked state in which the passive feedback arrangement is maintained in a fixed position relative to the mechanical ground and a normal state in which the passive feedback arrangement is permitted to move relative to the mechanical ground; an actuator operably coupled to the passive feedback arrangement when the ground lock mechanism is in the normal state to move the passive feedback arrangement relative to the mechanical ground; and wherein the ground lock mechanism further includes an intermediate transition state in which the passive feedback arrangement is permitted to move relative to the mechanical ground and the actuator is operably de-coupled from the passive feedback arrangement such that the passive feedback arrangement can be moved relative to the mechanical ground independent of the actuator.