GB2588665A

GB2588665A - Throttle lever unit

Info

Publication number: GB2588665A
Application number: GB1915895.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: A Beecroft Peter; Wallance Andrew; J Southernwood Clive; Hargreaves Dominic; Trewern Michael
Original assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
Current assignee: Rolls Royce PLC
Priority date: 2019-11-01
Filing date: 2019-11-01
Publication date: 2021-05-05
Also published as: GB201915895D0

Abstract

A throttle lever unit 26 has a first lever 102 provided partially within, and moveable within and relative to, a housing 100. An element 116 protrudes from the lever, biased towards, and in contact with a removeable member 106 positioned in the housing which defines a path along which the biased member moves when the lever moves. The biased member may be a sprung wedge provided on a lateral side of the lever. The removeable member may be removed from the housing without removal of the lever or housing. A kit may include a removeable member presenting an obstruction free path along which the biased element can move and/or a path with a number of detent recesses, together with the biased wedge this forms a detent mechanism to arrest or resist movement of the lever relative to the housing when the wedge is received a recess. Movement of the detent mechanism may be transverse to the lever movement direction. A second lever 104 may be provided, moveable with, or independently of, the first lever, the removeable member between the levers.

Description

THROTTLE LEVER UNIT

Technical Field

The present disclosure concerns a throttle lever unit, for example a throttle lever 5 unit for a vehicle simulator, e.g. a flight simulator.

Background

Flight simulators are used to simulate the operation of an aircraft, for example operation in flight. Flight simulators are used for pilot training, or to develop and 10 test interfaces between pilots and aircrafts and/or for developing new aircraft concepts.

Flight simulators are designed to be representative of a particular type of aircraft. For example, flight simulators are limited to simulating either a wide body or a 15 narrow body aircraft and are limited to simulating the type of aircraft from a single airframer.

Conventionally, a pilot controls the power of an aircraft using a throttle. Different aircrafts have different throttle lever units. Depending on the type of aircraft, the 20 throttle lever unit may be arranged to be either a continuously variable throttle or a throttle with fixed positions/detents. The detents are provided, for example, at a thrust rating for climb or maximum take-off. Flight simulators are representative of a particular aircraft and as such flight simulators include either a detent-type throttle lever unit or a continuously variable throttle lever unit.

Summary

The present disclosure seeks to provide a throttle lever unit that can be easily changed between a continuously variable and a detent-type throttle to meet the required vehicle (e.g. aircraft) simulation requirements.

The present disclosure also seeks to provide a throttle lever unit that can provide flexible feedback to a user, for example indicate to a user levels of power that shouldn't be used during specific flight conditions.

In an aspect there is provided a throttle lever unit comprising a housing and a first lever provided partially within the housing and moveable within and relative to the housing. A removable member is positioned in the housing. A biased element protrudes from the first lever and is biased towards and contacts the removable member. The removable member defines a path along which the biased element moves when the first lever moves within the housing.

The biased element may slide or may roll along the path defined by the removable member.

The removable member may present an obstruction free path along which the biased element can move (e.g. along which the biased element can slide or roll). For example, the removable member may be detent free.

The removable member may be a detent member. The biased member may form a first component of a detent mechanism and the detent member may comprise a second component of the detent mechanism. The first and second components of the detent mechanism may interact to arrest or resist movement of the lever relative to the housing.

In an aspect there is provided a throttle lever unit comprising a housing and a first lever provided partially within the housing and moveable within and relative to the housing. A detent member is positioned in the housing. A detent mechanism comprises a first component provided on the detent member and a second component provided on the lever. The first and second components interact to arrest or resist movement of the lever relative to the housing. The detent member and at least the first component of the detent mechanism are removable from the throttle lever unit.

The following features are optional features of the above described aspects.

The removable member may be arranged to be removed from the housing without removal of the levers or the housing. For example, the removable member may be arranged to be pulled out of and pushed in the housing, e.g. in a rotary or a linear direction.

The biased element may be provided on a lateral side of the lever. The biased 5 element may extend in a lateral direction to contact the removable member.

In the present application a forward and rearward direction refer to the direction in which the levers move. A radial or outward direction refers to the direction in which the lever extends. A lateral direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the forward and rearward direction and perpendicular to the radial or outward direction. For example, if the throttle lever unit comprises two levers, the lateral side is the side of the lever that faces the opposite lever or the side of the lever opposite said facing side.

The second component of the detent mechanism may be provided on a lateral side of the lever.

The first and second components may be are moveable relative to each other to engage to resist or arrest movement. The relative movement of the first and second components may be in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the lever. For example, the relative movement of the first and second components may be in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the lever, e.g. in a lateral direction.

The throttle lever unit may comprise a second lever moveable independently or together with the first lever. The removable member may be provided between the first and the second levers.

The second lever may be similar to the first lever. For example, the second lever may comprise a biased element protruding from the lever and contacting the removable member. The biased element may be provided on a lateral side of the lever. The biased element may extend in a lateral direction to contact the removable member.

The first or the second component of the detent mechanism may be one or more recesses and the second or first component of the detent mechanism may be a wedge receivable in the one or more recesses.

The wedge may have angled or curved sides. The recess may have angled or curved sides.

The biased element may be biased towards the removable member using a resiliently deformable member. For example, the biased element may be biased 10 towards the removable member using a spring.

In an aspect there is provided a kit of pads to define a throttle lever unit for use in a vehicle simulator. The throttle unit may be a throttle unit of one of the previous aspects.

In an aspect there is provided a kit of parts to define a throttle lever unit. The kit comprises a housing and a first lever provided partially within the housing and moveable relative to the housing; a biased element protruding from the first lever; and a detent-free member positionable in and removable from the housing, wherein when positioned in the housing the biased element contacts the detent-free member and is moveable there along; and/or a detent member positionable in and removable from the housing, wherein the detent member comprises a detent feature and wherein the detent feature is arranged to interact with the biased element to arrest or resist movement of the lever relative to the housing.

In an aspect there is provided a method of assembly of a throttle lever unit according to any one of the previous aspects using the kit of parts according to one or both of the two proceeding aspects. The method comprising positioning either a detent-free member into the housing or positioning the detent member into the housing.

In an aspect there is provided a flight simulator comprising the throttle lever unit according to any one of the previous aspects.

In an aspect there is provided a throttle lever unit apparatus comprising a throttle lever unit comprising a lever; a motor connected to the lever of the throttle lever 5 unit and arranged to enable rotation of the lever; a position sensor; and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an input from the position sensor to indicate the position of the lever, and in response to a signal indicating the lever is at one or more predetermined positions the controller is configured to send a signal to cause the motor to operate in a reverse direction to a direction 10 of motion of the lever.

The lever may be connected to a drive wheel. The motor may be connected to the drive wheel via a drive belt.

The throttle lever unit apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory comprising computer readable instructions. The at least one processor may be configured to read the computer readable instructions to cause the motor to operate in a reverse direction to the direction of the lever in response to the signal indicating the lever is at a predetermined position.

The controller, processor, and/or memory may be the controller, processor and/or memory of the control system of the flight simulator.

In an aspect there is provided a throttle lever unit apparatus comprising a throttle lever unit comprising a lever; a motor connected to the lever of the throttle lever unit and arranged so as to enable rotation of the lever; a position sensor; and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to receive an input from the position sensor to indicate the position of the lever, and in response to a signal indicating the lever is at one or more predetermined positions the controller is configured to send a signal to cause the motor to operate in a reverse direction to a direction of motion of the lever.

In an aspect there is provided a throttle lever unit apparatus comprising a throttle lever unit comprising a lever; a motor connected to the lever of the throttle lever unit and arranged so as to enable rotation of the lever; a position sensor; and processor circuitry. The processor circuitry is configured to receive an input from the position sensor to indicate the position of the lever, and in response to a signal indicating the lever is at one or more predetermined positions the controller is configured to send a signal to cause the motor to operate in a reverse direction to a direction of motion of the lever.

In an aspect there is provided a method of operating a throttle lever unit apparatus comprising a throttle lever unit comprising a lever; a motor connected to the lever of the throttle lever unit and arranged to enable rotation of the lever; a position sensor; and a controller. The method comprises operating the motor in an opposite direction to a direction of travel of the lever when the lever is at a predetermined position.

In an aspect there is provided a computer implemented method of operating a throttle lever unit apparatus comprising a throttle lever unit comprising a lever; a motor connected to the lever of the throttle lever unit and arranged to enable rotation of the lever; a position sensor; and a controller. The computer implemented method comprises receiving a signal indicative of position from the position sensor; and if the signal from the position sensor indicates that the lever is at one or more predetermined positions, controlling the motor to change direction of rotation such that the motor is running in a reverse direction to the direction of motion applied by a user to the lever.

The method may comprise comparing the signal from the position sensor to one or more parameters indicative of the one or more predetermined positions of the lever.

A computer program that, when read by a computer, causes performance of one 30 or more of the above described methods.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when read by a computer, cause performance of one or more of the above described methods.

A signal comprising computer readable instructions that, when read by a computer, cause performance of one or more of the above described methods.

A vehicle simulator may comprise a base, a plurality of moveable components, and one or more physical and/or power connectors for coupling the components to the base. The components may be positionable on the base with the connectors coupling the components to the base in a first arrangement to simulate a first vehicle type, and the components are moveable to and positionable on the base with the connectors coupling the components to the base in a second arrangement different to the first arrangement to simulate a second vehicle type.

The simulator components may be one or more of a display screen, a 15 touchscreen, a device shaped as a physical controller with an integrated touchscreen, a control stick, a lever, a yoke, a seat, a foot pedal, a throttle lever unit and a console The physical connectors for physically coupling the components to the base may be provided as a multi-part connector, with one part of the connector provided on the base and one part of the connector provided on the component, for example, the part of the connector on the component may physically engage with the part of the connector on the base when the component is coupled to the base.

One or more of the connectors may be a physical power and data connector. One part of the connector may be provided on the base and another part of the connector may be provided on the component.

One or more of the connectors may comprise an inductive device carried by the 30 component and an inductive array carried by the base.

The component may further comprise a wireless transmitter and/or receiver.

The component may comprise a battery.

The one or more connectors may comprise a physical connector and the base may comprise a recess to receive the component.

The base may comprise a fixed display screen. At least one of the components may be a moveable display screen and/or a touch screen. One or more of the connectors may be a physical connector that connects the moveable display screen and/or touchscreen to one side of the fixed display screen.

The connector may comprise a plurality of fasteners for fastening the fixed display screen to the moveable display screen and/or touch screen.

The fixed display screen may be a touch screen.

The base may define a platform and a column extending from the platform. The fixed display may be connected to the column, e.g. the fixed display may be provided in a housing which is connected to the column.

The moveable display screen and/or touchscreen may be provided with 20 electrical and/or data connections via the fixed display screen.

The fixed display screen and the moveable display screen and/or touch screen and one or more of the connectors may be configured such that when connected together the display screen and moveable display screen and/or touch screen 25 form a contiguous screen.

The moveable display screen and/or touch screen may be housed in a housing. The housing may have sufficient rigidity to enable cantilever mounting of the moveable display screen and/or touch screen.

The skilled person would understand that sufficient rigidity to enable cantilever mounting means that the assembly of display and/or touch screens is a stable structure that can be used on a flight deck. In embodiments where components are connected to the display and/or touch screens or housings thereof, the rigidity of the housings is such that movement of the housings and display and/or touch screens is limited to a degree such that any movement is undetected or barely detected by a user.

One or more of the components may be a seat. The base may comprise rails for receiving the seat. The rails may be configured to adjust the seating position of the pilot relative to other components of the flight simulator.

The base may comprise a plurality of rails arranged such that either one seat or 10 two seats can be connected to the base.

For example, the base may comprise 6 rails arranged in pairs so as to define three seat positions. The seat positions may be arranged to simulate an aircraft with one pilot seat or an aircraft with two pilot seats.

Alternatively, the seat may comprise rails arranged such that the seat is adjustable relative to other components of the flight simulator.

The simulator may comprise a window shroud (e.g. fixed or removable) that at 20 least partially encloses the components of a simulator, e.g. to simulate a fuselage of an aircraft.

The simulator may comprise a removable shroud that at least partially encloses the components of the flight simulator.

The base may comprise one or more physical connector ports for receiving a larger shroud and one or more physical connector ports for receiving a smaller shroud.

The simulator may comprise a control system. The control system may comprise a processor, memory and computer readable software. The software may be arranged in modules, each module being separable from the other modules and each module simulating a different feature of flight or an aircraft.

The modules may comprise a functional mock up interface (FMI).

One of the components may be a side console and side stick and the side console may be received in a recess provided on the base.

The flight simulator may comprise one or more display screens and/or touchscreens mounted in a housing and the one of the components may be a yoke, and the yoke may be connected via a physical connector to the housing.

For example the yoke may be connected to the fixed display screen or to one of the moveable display and/or touch screens.

Alternatively, the yoke may be connected via a mounting arrangement to the side console.

The simulator may be a flight simulator.

A vehicle simulator may comprise a base, and a plurality of components detachably connected to the base so as to permit reconfiguration of the vehicle simulator such that the plurality of components can be detached from the base, arranged in an alternative configuration and reattached to the base. One or more of the components may be one or more of a display screen, a touchscreen, a device shaped as a physical controller with an integrated touchscreen, a control stick, a lever, a yoke, a seat, a throttle lever unit and a window screen.

The simulator may be a flight simulator.

The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied mutatis mutandis to any other aspect. Furthermore except where mutually exclusive any feature described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature described herein.

Description of the Drawings

Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a simulator; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a simulator with interfaces provided in the base for receiving components; Figures 3 to 5 are example connections between components and a base of the simulator; Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of a configuration of the simulator of Figure 1; Figure 7 is an alternative schematic plan view of a configuration of the simulator of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a further alternative schematic plan view of a configuration of the simulator of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a yet further alternative schematic plan view of a configuration of the simulator of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a block diagram of the control arrangement of the flight simulator of Figure 1; Figure 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of software 20 modules of the flight simulator of Figure 1; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a throttle lever unit; Figure 13A is a schematic cross section of the throttle lever unit of Figure 12 with a removable member that is a detent member; Figure 13A is a schematic cross section of the throttle lever unit of Figure 25 12 with a removable member that is a detent-free member; Figures 14 is a schematic side view of a lever of the throttle lever unit of Figure 12; Figure 15 is a schematic side view of an alternative lever of the throttle lever unit of Figure 12; Figure 16 is a schematic side view of the lever and detent member of Figure 13A; Figure 17 is a schematic side view of an alternative lever and detent member of Figure 13A Figure 18 is a schematic end view of the throttle lever unit of Figure 12; Figure 19 is a schematic of a throttle lever unit with a motor; and Figure 20 illustrates a control system for controlling the throttle lever unit of Figure 19.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figure 1, a flight simulator 10 simulates the flight deck (also known as cockpit) of an aircraft. The simulator generally includes screens 14, 16, 18, 20 to display information related to a simulated flight and a simulated aircraft, seats 22 for the pilots, and physical or simulated controls 24, 26 used by pilots during flights. A shroud 28 (which may be referred to as a window shroud) curves around the screens, seat and controls to imitate the fuselage of an aircraft. The shroud 28 may include a window or screen to imitate the window of an aircraft.

In the present example, the flight simulator 10 includes a base unit 12 to which components can be connected to simulate a given aircraft. The components can be moved to an alternative position to simulate an alternative aircraft type. In this example, the components include the screens 16, 18, 20, the seats 22, and the controls 24, 26. In addition it is possible to detach the window shroud 28 and replace it with an alternative window shroud to better simulate a given aircraft. The features of the base and components are described in more detail below.

The base 12 of the simulator includes a platform 30 which provides a floor for a user to walk and a surface for components to connect to. The base further includes a column 32 projecting upwardly from the platform. In the present example the column projects upwardly and in a direction towards the seats 22. In the present example, the base further comprises a housing 34 which houses a screen 14. The housing 34 and optionally the screen 14 are permanently mounted to the column 32.

The base includes connectors or part of connectors for attachment of the components to the base. An example connector are rails 36. In the present example, rails 36 are provided in pairs, each pair connecting to a seat. Three pairs of rails are provided so as to define three seat locations one central seat location, and two side seat locations. The seat locations are illustrated at 38 in Figure 2. In the present example, the seats 22 are provided with couplings that locate in the rails of the tracks. The couplings can engage with the tracks at multiple locations so as to adjust the position of the seat. The couplings of the seat may be arranged such that the seat can be adjusted to discrete positions on the rails or may be arranged to permit attachment at any desired position. The couplings of the seat and the rails may together be considered a connector, such that in this example pad of the connector is provided on the seat and another part of the connector is provided on the base.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the base 12 includes interfaces 40 for locating components on the base. In some examples, the interfaces may comprise a recess for receiving components. For example, the interfaces may receive a console 46 which may include control 24. The control 24 may be provided in the form of a control stick. The interface includes one part of power and data connectors 42, 44 and the consoles 46 include the other part of the power and data connectors. The power connector supplies power to the devices provided on the console, for example the control stick, and the data connection permits data to be communicated between the devices and a remainder of a control system of the flight simulator.

Referring to Figure 4, in an alternative embodiment, the base may be provided with an inductive array 48, for example under the platform on which users can walk. In such an example, the consoles include an inductive device 50. The inductive array and inductive device are an example of a power connector because the devices interact to provide power to the devices (or components) provided on the console. In such examples, the consoles may be provided with a wireless transmitter and/or receiver 52, in this way a need for a physical data connection between the component (in this case the console and control) and the base is eliminated. The provision of an inductive array and inductive device provides increased flexibility in relation to where the components are to be positioned. Referring to Figure 5, in a further alternative embodiment the console may comprise a battery 54 and a wireless transmitter and/or receiver 52 so as to also eliminate the need for a physical power connection.

In some examples, it may not be necessary to secure the console 46 to the base 12, but in some examples it may be advantageous to do so and in such examples one or more fasteners may be used to secure the console to the base, for example: bolts, screws, magnets, clips, or any other suitable fastener may be used.

The example has been described with reference to console 46 which carries control 24, but similar arrangements can be used to secure other consoles to the 10 base, for example the console that carries the throttle lever unit lever (often referred to as throttle lever unit).

Referring back to Figures 1 and 2, as mentioned previously, the base includes the column 32 to which a screen 14 is connected. In the present example, the screen is provided in the housing 56. In the present example, the housing 56 is fixedly connected to the column 32 such that the screen 14 is immovably connected to the column (apart from being removable for maintenance). In this way the housing 56 and screen 14 may also be considered to form part of the base, since these components are always provided in the same position regardless of the configuration of the flight simulator (i.e. regardless of the position of the other components of the flight simulator and/or the type of aircraft being simulated). Power and data connections are provided to the screen 14 via the column 32. The column 32 and screen 14 may be provided in a laterally central position on the flight simulator.

Connectors 58, 60 are provided on the side (or edge) of the housing 56 to connect components such as additional screens 16, 18, 20 to the housing 56. The connectors may be for example clips, bolts, screws, brackets and/or any other suitable fastener. The additional screens 16, 18, 20 each may optionally be provided in a housing to ease connection of the screens to the housing 56. The screens 14, 16, 18, 20 and connectors 58, 60 may be arranged such that the screens appear to be a single contiguous display. Additional screens may be connected to the screens 16, 18, 20 or the housing of said screens so that the size of the display area can be adapted to simulate a specific type of aircraft, for example to simulate a wide body or a narrow body aircraft. In a similar way to that described for the housing 56, connectors may be provided to connect one screen or housing of one screen to an adjacent screen or an adjacent housing of a screen. The housing may be rigid and the housings and connectors may be 5 arranged so that the screens are cantilevered from the column 32. The rigid construction of the housings is such that the screens do not flex or only flex by a degree that does not impede the operation of the flight simulator, for example the housings and connectors may have a construction and arrangement such that when a user applies a load to one or more of the housings during normal 10 operation of the flight simulator the user does not perceive movement of the display.

Power and data connections for the screens 16, 18, 20 are provided via the screen 14.

Additional components of the flight simulator may be connected to the screens 14, 16, 18 and/or 20. For example, a yoke (also known as control wheel) may be mounted via a bracket to a connector or to the housing of one of the screens.

The screens 14, 16, 18, 20 may be display screens and/or touch screens, e.g. they may display information to a user and the screen may also be a user input device. Physical devices may also be provided to provide an input to the flight simulator, in such examples the physical devices may carry touch screen interfaces, but in alternative embodiments, replicas of the physical devices of an aircraft may be provided. The physical devices may be connected to the screens or housings of the screens. Providing replica physical devices or physical devices with touch screen interfaces may in some examples better represent the controls of a given aircraft.

As mentioned previously, a shroud 28 is provided to simulate the fuselage of an aircraft. The base 12 includes connectors to secure the shroud in position. In the present example, the base includes a recess 62 at both lateral sides of the flight simulator. The shroud includes a portion that is received in the recess 62.

The shroud is then secured in position using a suitable fastener, e.g. bolt, screws, clips, magnets, etc. Various optional configurations of the flight simulator will now be described with 5 reference to Figures 6 to 9.

Referring to Figure 6, an example arrangement with two pilots is shown. This may be for example simulating a wide body aircraft. As in all examples, the base 12 includes a column 32 to which the screen 14 is mounted (the screen 14 is often mounted in a housing). Two seats 22 are connected to the rails of the base and a console 66, with the throttle lever unit 26, is provided between the seats 22. As described previously the console may be received at an interface of the base 12. Side consoles 46 are provided either side of the seats 22, and carry controls 24 in the form of side sticks. A screen 20 may be mounted to an underside of a central screen 14, and screens 16 and 18 may be mounted to the lateral sides of the screen 14. In addition, additional screens or tablets 64 may be mounted to the sides (e.g. the lateral sides) of the screens 16 and 18. The screens 14, 16, 18 and 20 create a contiguous display. In the present example the screens 64 do not form part of the contiguous display but in alternative embodiments the screens 64 may also form part of the contiguous display. The shroud 28 extends around the sides of the seats and the rear of the screens 14, 16, 18 and 64.

Referring to Figure 7, an example arrangement with only a single pilot is shown.

The example of Figure 7 may be simulating a single seat aircraft such as a military fast jet. As in all examples, the base 12 includes a column 32 to which the screen 14 is mounted (the screen 14 is often mounted in a housing). A single seat 22 is provided and is connected to the rails of the base that are provided central to the base. A side console 46 with a side stick 24 is provided at one side of the seat 22 and a throttle lever unit console 66 with a throttle lever unit 26 is provided at the other side of the seat. In this example, only one screen or tablet 64 is connected to either side of the screen 14. A shroud 28 is provided on each side of the seat and around the back of the screens 14, 64. As can be seen by comparing Figures 6 and 7, the shroud of the present example is smaller than the shroud of the previous example so as to better simulate a narrow bodied aircraft.

Referring to Figure 8, an example arrangement with three users is shown, such 5 as might be present in an autonomous air taxi. As in all examples, the base 12 includes a column 32 to which the screen 14 is mounted (the screen 14 is often mounted in a housing). In this example three seats 22 are provided, each seat engaging with one of the pairs of rails provided on the base 12. Two screens 16, 18 are provided and connected to the lateral sides of screen 14. One or more of 10 the screens 14, 16, 18 may be touch screens to provide user inputs to the flight simulator, or alternatively devices may be attached to the screens and the devices may have touchscreen interfaces. A window shroud 28 is connected to the base and extends around the sides of the seats and the back of the screens 14, 16, 18.

Referring to Figure 9, an example of an arrangement with a remote pilot and user station is shown. In this case no window shroud is provided because the pilot is remote. As in all examples, the base 12 includes a column 32 to which the screen 14 is mounted (the screen 14 is often mounted in a housing). Two seats are provided and connected to the rails of the base. To the side of one of the seats a side console 46 with a side stick 24 is provided and to the other side of the same seat a throttle lever unit console 66 and throttle lever unit 26 is provided. No controls are provided at the sides of the other seat. Screens 16 and 18 are connected to the screen 14 to create a contiguous display and additional screens 64 (which may be screens of tablet computers) are connected to the screens 16 and 18.

Fig. 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of a control arrangement of the flight simulator according to various examples. The control arrangement includes a controller 68, a user input device 76, and an output device 78. In some examples, the control arrangement may be modular. For example, different elements of the control arrangement can be removed and added by a user.

The user input device 76 may comprise any suitable device for enabling an operator to at least partially control the apparatus. In addition to the previously described input devices of touchscreens (e.g. touchscreens of screens 14, 16, 18, 20 and/or 64), control stick 24, throttle lever unit lever 26 and optionally the yoke, the user input device may also comprise one or more of a keyboard, a keypad, a touchpad, a computer mouse, an additional control stick, throttle lever unit lever, and/or a device shaped as a physical controller but mounted to a touchscreen to act as an interface. The controller is configured to receive signals from the user input device.

The output device 78 will most commonly be one or more of screens 14, 16, 18, 20, 64 but may be any suitable device for conveying information to a user. For example, the output device may be a display (such as a liquid crystal display, or a light emitting diode display, or an active matrix organic light emitting diode display, or a thin film transistor display, or a cathode ray tube display), and/or a loudspeaker, and/or a printer (such as an inkjet printer or a laser printer) and/or physical stimulus generator such as vibration device. The controller is arranged to provide a signal to the output device to cause the output device to convey information to the user.

The controller 68, the user input device 76, and the output device 78 may be coupled to one another via a wireless link and may consequently comprise transceiver circuitry and one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the controller, the user input device and the output device may be coupled to one another via a wired link and may consequently comprise interface circuitry (such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) socket). It should be appreciated that the controller, the user input device, and the output device may be coupled to one another via any combination of wired and wireless links.

The controller 68 may comprise: control circuitry; and/or processor circuitry; and/or at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); and/or at least one field programmable gate array (FPGA); and/or single or multi-processor architectures; and/or sequential/parallel architectures; and/or at least one programmable logic controllers (PLCs); and/or at least one microprocessor; and/or at least one microcontroller; and/or a central processing unit (CPU); and/or a graphics processing unit (GPU), to perform the methods.

In various examples, the controller may comprise at least one processor 70 and 5 at least one memory 72. The memory stores a computer program 74. The computer program may be software or firmware, or may be a combination of software and firmware.

The processor 70 may include at least one microprocessor and may comprise a 10 single core processor, may comprise multiple processor cores (such as a dual core processor or a quad core processor), or may comprise a plurality of processors (at least one of which may comprise multiple processor cores).

The memory 72 may be any suitable non-transitory computer readable storage medium, data storage device or devices, and may comprise a hard disk and/or solid state memory (such as flash memory). The memory may be permanent non-removable memory, or may be removable memory (such as a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive or a secure digital card). The memory may include: local memory employed during actual execution of the computer program; bulk storage; and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some computer readable or computer usable program code to reduce the number of times code may be retrieved from bulk storage during execution of the code.

The computer program 74 may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program may be transferred from the non-transitory computer readable storage medium to the memory. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be, for example, a USB flash drive, a secure digital (SD) card, an optical disc (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) or a Blu-ray disc). In some examples, the computer program may be transferred to the memory via a wireless signal or via a wired signal.

Input/output devices 76, 78 may be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening input/output controllers. Various communication adaptors may also be coupled to the controller to enable the apparatus to become coupled to other apparatus or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Non-limiting examples include modems and network adaptors of such communication adaptors.

The computer program 74 is modular in nature. For example, the computer program may be provided as modules with functional mock-up interfaces (FMI). Figure 10 illustrates an example of the modules that may be provided as part of the computer program. These modules include: environment 80, aircraft flight dynamics 82, aircraft systems 84, powerplant dynamics 86, powerplant systems 88, engine OEM ground support systems 90, flight deck 92, and airspace control 94. It is possible with the modular arrangement of the computer program to swap one of the computer program modules with hardware 96 whilst maintaining the same interfaces between the modules of the computer program.

The described flight simulator means that different aircraft can be easily simulated without the cost of building multiple simulators. This is particularly useful for simulators used for the development of aerospace technology.

In the described embodiments, touchscreens (e.g. on displays and/or on physical devices) permit a wide range of controls to be easily represented. The provision of removable components such as seats, screens, consoles, controls and the shroud, and data and power connections where necessary to said components permits ease of configuration to a desired aircraft type. Modular software with generic interfaces between modules, e.g. using a formal interface standard, eases the configuration of a desired aircraft and ensures compatibility between models implementing various different software tools.

The simulator has been described in relation to a flight simulator, but in 30 alternative embodiments the simulator could be used for non-aerospace applications, for example ground or marine vehicles.

In some examples virtual and/or augmented reality may be used with the described simulator to enhance visual stimulus to the pilots.

Referring now to Figure 12, the throttle lever unit 26 is described in more detail. The throttle lever unit includes a housing 100, levers 102, 104 and a removable member 106. The levers 102, 104 are provided in the housing and arranged such that they protrude from the housing. In the present example, a handle 103, 105 is provided at the end of each of the levers 102, 104 to improve comfort for a user. The levers 102, 104 are moveable relative to the housing. The levers 102, 104 may be moved independently or together. In the present example, the levers move along an arc (i.e. move circumferentially) in a direction A, but in alternative examples the levers may be arranged to move linearly. The levers along the arc in the direction A to position the lever handles in a more forward direction F or a more rearward direction R so as to adjust the simulated power setting. As can be seen in Figure 12, part of the levers move within the housing and part of the levers (the portion that protrudes from the housing in a radial direction R) moves outside of the housing. The levers 102, 104 are connected to discs 126 and 128 (shown in Figures 13A and 138). The discs rotate about an axis and thus permit the levers to move along the arcuate path A. In the present disclosure, a lateral direction L is a direction that is perpendicular 20 to the forward-rearward directions F, R and perpendicular to the radial direction R. In the present example, the removable member 106 is provided laterally between the levers 102, 104, e.g. centrally between the levers. However, in alternative embodiments the removable member may be provided at an alternative position. For example, two removable members may be provided; one may be provided on a laterally outer side of one lever and the other may be provided on a laterally outer side of the other lever.

The removable member in the present example is arranged to be positioned between the levers. In the present example, the removable member is arcuate to define an arcuate path, which as will be described later, a component of the levers 102, 104 can move along. In the present example, the removable member is removed from the housing and from between the levers by rotating the removable member away from the housing. However, in alternative embodiments the removable member may be arranged to slide out from between the levers in any direction (e.g. pulled out of the housing or pushed in to the housing in a radial direction). The removable member is removed from the throttle lever unit without removing the levers or housing. In the present example, no other components are required to be removed to remove the removable member. However, in alternative embodiments a latching mechanism may be provided and in such examples a component of the latching mechanism may be removed to remove the removable member from the 10 housing.

The removable member 106 may be a detent member 106a (shown in Figure 13A) or a detent-free member 106b (shown in Figure 13B). Referring to Figure 13A, when the removable member is a detent member a detent mechanism may be provided. In the present example, the detent mechanism includes a first component provided in the detent member and a second component connected to each of the levers 102, 104. In the present example, the first component is a recess 112, 114 provided in the detent member. The second component is a biased element, in this example a biased wedge 116, 118 connected to the respective lever. The wedge is provided on a lateral side of the lever and is biased in a direction B towards the detent member. As illustrated in Figure 13A (where the direction of movement A of the levers is into and out of the page), the wedges 116 and 118 are biased to move in a direction towards the detent member which is transverse, and in this example perpendicular, to the direction of movement of the levers. In this way, the wedges 116, 118 can move in the direction A when the levers are moved between detents (whilst pressing against the detent member) and the wedges can move in the direction B when the wedges encounter a recess provided in the detent member to arrest and/or resist movement of the levers in the direction A. In the present example, the direction B is the lateral direction L (shown in Figure 12).

In the present example the biased wedges 116, 118 are spring-loaded wedges. The spring is biased to press the wedge against the detent member. In alternative examples, any other suitable resiliently deformable member may be used to bias the wedge towards the detent member. The wedge may have angled or curved sides to ease movement into and out of the recesses of the detent member. In some examples the wedges may be spherical or hemispherical.

The recesses may have curved or angled sides to ease movement of the wedges into and out of the recesses. The depth and shape of the recess provided in the detent member is selected such that the throttle lever unit lever is arrested under a typical level of user input force and with increased user input force, the wedge is able to move out of the recess. In some examples, the level of force required to move the lever can be adjusted by adjusting the spring loading of the wedge. The spring loading may be adjusted using pins 120, as illustrated in Figure 14 or a threaded adjustment mechanism 122 as illustrated in Figure 15.

The detent member can be configured to suit a given aircraft. For example, as shown in Figure 16, only one recess may be provided in the detent member to represent a detent 124a at engine idle. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 17, multiple recesses may be provided to represent multiple detents 124a to 124d.

Referring to Figure 18, the throttle lever unit 26 may include a removable guide 130 to indicate the various detent positions. For example, a recess may be provided along the side of the levers 102, 104 and labels or lights (e.g. LEDs) may be removably provided in the recess.

Referring again to Figure 138, in the example where the throttle lever unit type desired is a continuous throttle lever unit, the removable member may be detentfree. In this example, the removable member does not include any component of a detent mechanism, e.g. no recesses into which the biased protrusion of the lever can be received in. Instead, the removable member presents an obstruction free path along which the protrusion from the lever can move. The levers 102, 104, however, still have the biased wedge 116, 118 connected to a lateral side of the levers. The biased wedge presses against the removable member and moves along the removable member as the lever is moved. Since there are no recesses, notches, pads or any other sort of motion arresting or resisting elements on the removable member the biased wedges move freely within the housing without encountering any resistance.

The described throttle lever unit 26 advantageously permits different throttle lever units to be easily simulated. In general, the only component part of the throttle lever unit that needs changing to represent a different throttle lever unit is the removeable member 106, 106a, 106b. This means that a different throttle lever unit can be easily represented at lower cost and much easier and more simply than replacing the entire throttle lever unit unit. Changing only the removable member instead of the entire throttle lever unit also reduces the risk of damage to components during the change in throttle lever unit type.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. For example, a different number of seats or screens and associated connectors may be provided to the number described.

In the above described embodiments, the detent mechanism included a biased wedge and recesses, but alternative detent mechanisms may be provided. Alternative mechanisms may, by way of example only, include a roller connected to the lever of the throttle lever unit that interacts with grooves provided in the detent member; a gear mechanism with a rachet mechanism at positions along the detent member; the detent mechanism may include bumps or protrusions instead of or in addition to recesses; a roller and cam may be provided on the lever member with the cam arranged to interact with protrusions or recesses provided on the detent member; and/or the detent member may include brake pad features to restrict movement of the lever.

In the described example, the detent member included recesses and the lever included a biased element, but in alternative embodiments the lever may include the recesses and the detent member may include the biased element.

The above described example relates to a mechanical method of representing two different types of throttle lever units. The following example describes an electro-mechanical arrangement for simulating two different types of throttle lever units.

For example, referring to Figure 19, a motor 132 may be provided to adjust the position of the levers to simulate an auto-throttle lever unit. The motor may also be configured to back-drive (i.e. rotate in a direction opposite to the direction of motion of the levers so as to resist movement of the levers) when the levers (only lever 102 is shown in Figure 19) are moved to certain positions so as to resist or arrest movement of the levers and therefore provide the feel of a detenttype throttle lever unit. The motor may be configured to provide a specific level of resistance based on a power input to the motor or a measurement from a force measurement device. Once the level of resistance/force is overcome the motor can be released and run in a conventional manner to permit continued motion of the levers.

In the present example, the motor 132 is connected to the disc 126 (or drive wheel) of the throttle lever unit via a drive belt 134. The drive belt 134 transmits rotatory motion from the motor to the disc. The motor is shown in Figure 19 in a configuration where motion of the lever is resisted, i.e. at a detent position. In this example it can be seen that the lever has been moving in a direction RL under the force applied by a user. The lever then reaches a position of a detent and the motor resists motion of the lever in the direction RL by rotating in a reverse direction Rm to that of the lever.

The use of a motor that back-drives may be beneficial in defining keep-out zones indicated to a pilot during flight. The keep out zones could be adjusted along the duration of the flight depending on the flight conditions. LEDs or a display screen may also be provided to indicate the keep out zones. Such a throttle lever unit may also be beneficial for aircraft, not just flight or vehicle simulators.

The motor may be controlled using a control system. The control system may include on or more components of the control system of the flight simulator.

Referring to Figure 20, the control system includes a controller 136 having a processor 138 and memory 140. The memory 144 may store a computer program 144. The controller receives an input from a position sensor 146 indicative of the position of the lever. By way of example only, the position sensor may be a resolver, potentiometer, or rotary encoder (e.g. optical encoder). In response to the input the controller determines whether the lever is at a detent position. For example, the controller may compare the position information from the sensor with stored indicators of predetermined positions. In the event of use with keep out zones the predetermined positions may be dependent upon the flight conditions. If the controller determines the lever is at one of the detent positions the controller sends a signal to the motor to control the rotational direction of the motor so as to resist movement of the lever.

The controller 136 may also control the power of the motor to control the level of resistance to movement of the lever. The control system may include a sensor 148 that indicates once the resistance has been overcome. In response to this the reverse drive of the motor may be released. The sensor 148 indicating when the resistance has been overcome may be the same sensor as the position sensor.

In an alternative example, the controller may receive an input from a sensor 150, e.g. a force meter, indicative of the force applied by a user. The controller 136 may operate the motor to reach a predetermined force, and once the force has been reached, as indicated by the sensor 150, the controller may cause the level of back-drive of the motor to be reduced and/or cause the back drive of the motor to stop so as to enable the lever to continue in the previous direction under user input.

It will be understood that the detents can operate in the direction shown in Figure 30 19 and/or in the reverse of the direction shown in Figure 19.

Further features of the controller, processor, memory and computer program are not recited here in the interest of conciseness. The controller, processor, memory and computer program may have one or more features of the controller, processor, memory and/or computer program of the flight simulator control system.

Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed 5 separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Claims

Claims 1. A throttle lever unit comprising: a housing; a first lever provided partially within the housing and moveable within and relative to the housing; a removable member positioned in the housing; and a biased element protruding from the first lever and biased towards and contacting the removable member, and wherein the removable member defines 10 a path along which the biased element moves when the first lever moves within the housing.
2. The throttle lever unit according to claim 1, wherein the removable member presents an obstruction free path along which the biased element can 15 move.
3. The throttle lever unit according to claim 1, wherein the removable member is a detent member, and wherein the biased member defines a first component of a detent mechanism and wherein the detent member comprises a second component of the detent mechanism, wherein the first and second components interact to arrest or resist movement of the lever relative to the housing.
4. The throttle lever unit according to any one of the previous claims, 25 wherein the removable member is arranged to be removed from the housing without removal of the levers or the housing.
5. The throttle lever unit according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the biased element is provided on a lateral side of the lever.
6. The throttle lever unit according to claim 5 as dependent on claim 3, wherein the second component of the detent mechanism is provided on a lateral side of the lever.
7. The throttle lever unit according to any one of the previous claims as dependent on claim 3, wherein the first and second components are moveable relative to each other to engage so as to resist and/or arrest movement, and wherein the relative movement of the first and second components is in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the lever.
8. The throttle lever unit according to any one of the previous claims, comprising a second lever moveable independently or together with the first lever, and wherein the removable member is provided between the first and the 10 second levers.
9. The throttle lever unit according to any one of the previous claims as dependent on claim 3, wherein the first or the second component of the detent mechanism is on e or more recesses and the second or first component of the 15 detent mechanism is a wedge receivable in the one or more recesses.
10. The throttle lever unit according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the biased element is biased towards the removable member using a spring.
11. A kit of parts to define a throttle lever unit for use in a vehicle simulator, the kit comprising: a housing; a first lever provided partially within the housing and moveable relative to 25 the housing; a biased element protruding from the first lever; and a detent-free member positionable in and removable from the housing, wherein when positioned in the housing the biased element contacts the detentfree member and is moveable there along; and/or a detent member positionable in and removable from the housing, wherein the detent member comprises a detent feature and wherein the detent feature is arranged to interact with the biased element to arrest or resist movement of the lever relative to the housing.
12. A method of assembly of a throttle lever unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10 using the kit of parts according to claim 11, the method comprising: positioning either a detent-free member into the housing or positioning the 5 detent member into the housing.
13. A flight simulator comprising the throttle lever unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.