US2352101A - Pilot trainer - Google Patents

Description

June 20, 1944. w. H. HUTTER 2,352,101

PILOT TRAINER y Filed Aug, 7, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 2 i jtd, 3.

Patented June 20,l 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICIIE.l

PILOT TRAINER William` III. Hutter, Chicago, Ill. Application August '1, 1942, serialize. 453,945

Claims.

when the airplane controls are manipulated, and 5 further in which the pilot appears to approach the earth while diving and in which it can be made to appear that the pilot is iiying at difierent distances above the ground.

1n the Lucien J. Beindorf Patent N o. assenso 1o dated December 7, 1943, a pilot trainer is shown and described in which a scene shifts aboutwhen the airplane controls are manipulated so that the relative movement between vthe scene and the pilot is substantially the same as the similar rell5 ative movement in a conventional airplane while in iiight. The apparatus as disclosed in this prior patent, therefore, simulates changes in attitude of the aircraft.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improvement in the device described in the before-mentioned patent so that inthe device of the present invention the pilot obtains the 'impression of movement toward and away from the ground, as well as changes in attitude. Y

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel training apparatus in which an operator can, simulate approaches to landings.

Yet another object of the .present invention is to provide an improved pilot trainerin which simulated dives and climbs appear more realistic.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pilot trainer inwhich a scene is projected upon a screen and in which objects in the` scene increase in size when the airplane controls are manipulated in a manner that would place a conventional airplane in a diving or gliding attitude.

Still another object of the present invention is 4o to provide a device accomplishing the above mentioned objectives at comparatively low cost- Yet another'object of the present invention is to provide a novel training device in which a scene is projected upon the screen and in which the scene has a third dimensional or relief eifect.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings in which' similar 50 characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views'.

Fig. l. is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective View of operating mechanism embodying the. present invention;

Fig. 2 is an electrical diagram yillustrating the V electrical mechanism embodied in the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is aside elevation of an alternative arrangement comprising the present invention with parts of the structure broken away to illustrate portions in transverse section.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings,'the trainer will be seen to comprise a seat Ill before which is. located an airplane type control stick I2 and rudder pedals I4. Fore and aft movement of the control stick moves a control cable I6 which passes around pulleys I8 and into a box-like housing 20 located some distance forwardly of the controls I2 and I4. Side to side movement of the control stick I2 rotates a shaft 22, thus causing ro- 'tation of a crank arm 24 secured thereto to which is attached ,a second control cable 26 lead- .ing into the box-like housing 2li. The rudder pedals I4 are secured to a rudder bar 28 pivoted about a vertically extendingpin 30. This rudder bar is connected at one side of its pivot point to` a third control cable 32 which also leads into the box-like housing 20.

From the above it will be seen that movement of the controls I2 and I4 moves the three cables I6; 26 and 32, and that these three cables leadl ythis sphere is illuminated by several incandescent lamps 36 located within a ring type reflector 3a, and this ring of lamps surrounds'a lens 4i! bymeans of which the upper illuminated portion of the sphere 34 is projected upon a screen 42 after being reflected by a mirror 44. The screen 42 is of the translucent type and is located in front of the operator in such a position that it appears to the operator that he is viewing the scene through the wind screen of an airplane.

The housing 2li,` as is fully explained in th previously mentioned patent, No. 2,336,436, contains mechanism for rotating the sphere 34 in any direction at any speed under the influence of the movement of the control cables I6, 216 and 32. Thus the portion of the sphere located immediatelyv beneath the lens 4U is constantly changing unless the airplane controls are in neutral position and the operator therefore obtains the impression that the attitude of the airplane is constantly changing.

As an example, moving the stick I2 rearwardly will cause the sphere 34 to rotate about a transverse axis so as to `cause the earth portion to recede downwardly from the view upon the screen 42, and a greater portion of the sky area of the sphere to appear upon the screen 42. Similarly, movement of the stick I2 from side to side will cause the sphere 34 to rotate about a vertical axis, thus causing the view upon the screen 42 to be tilted from side to side, while movement of the rudde'r pedals I4 causes the sphere 34 to rotate about a longitudinal axis, thus causing the view to move across the screen 42 from side to side. The above described mechanism in general comprises the subject matter of the previousf ly mentioned patent and needs no further description here, inasmuch as description in greater detail would not serve to illuminate the present invention.

In the present invention the box-like housing 20 is mounted upon the upper end of an internally threaded tube 46 and is guided for vertical movement by members 41. The threaded tube 46 is fitted to a threaded shaft 4B which is driven through a slip type clutch 50 from a gear reduction box 60. The housing 20 therefore rests upon the gear box 60 and will be raised or lowered, depending upon the direction ot rotation of the shaft 48. The gear box receives its power from a small reversing motor 42. Thus the 'direction of rotation of the shaft of the motor 42 and the speed of rotation of this shaft will determine the direction of vertical movement of the housing and the speed at which this movement takes place.

The vertical movement of the housing 20 is limited between upper and lower stops 64 and 68, respectively, which are mounted upon a stationary frame member 6l. Between these limit stops, the movement of the housing is free and isdirectly under the influence of the motor 62. When the housing impinges against either the upper stop 64 or the lower stop 46, the clutch i0 will slip, thus permitting the motor to run without moving the housing 20.

Inasmuch as the sphere I4 is supported within and moves with the housing 24, vertical movement of the housing will shorten and lengthen the optical distance between the upper surface of the sphere 34 and the screen 42. Downward movement of the sphere 34 will therefore decrease the size of the image upon the screen 42, while upward movement of the sphere 34 will increase the size of this image.

'I'he range of movement of the sphere I4 upwardly and downwardly normally would cause the sphere to move in and out of focus. For this reason the lens 42 is mounted in a slidable lens tube 10 having a socket 12 in one side which embraces a ball I4 secured at the end of a bell crank I6 pivoted at its mid point to a bracket 18 attached to the stationary member DI. 'Ihis bell crank extends radially outwardly from the socket 62 to its pivot point and thence downwardly and at its lower end is provided with a roller I0 which rides upon the surface of a cam 'Ihe cam is formed upon the edge of a member which extends vertically and is secured to the movable housing 2l. 'Ihe lower portion of this cam extends outwardly agreater distance away from a line drawn vertically through the sphere 1l drum 84 and shaft 8S.

34, than does the upper portion of this cam. Between its upper and lower portions the cam track sweeps downwardly and outwardly as may best be seen in Fig. 1. Thus, upward movement of the sphere 34 and housing 20 will cause the cam track I2 to push the roller 80 outwardly. This causes the opposite end of the bell crank 'Ii to be moved downwardly, thereby moving the lens tube downwardly. It will be seen, therefore, that upward movement of the sphere 34 causes the lens 40, to be moved a greater optical distance from the screen 42, while downward movement of the sphere 34 causes the lens 40 to approach the screen 42. The particular cam proille should be shaped for the particular lens 40 used. It should be such, however, that the lens 4U is always kept in focus.

The control cable I6 from the lower end of the stick I2 passes around a drum 84 attached to a control shaft B6 leading into a control box 84, so that movement of the control stick I2 backwardly and forwardly will cause rotation of the 'I'he mechanism within the control box 88 is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 2 in which the shaft BS is shown as carrying a rheostat arm 90 and a forked toggle switch tripping arm 92. The rheostat arm 90 when in the straight-up position shown in Fig. 2 does not make contact with any electrical member. When the shaft is rotated in either direction, however, the outer end of the rheostat arm is brought into contact with a series of rheostat buttons 94 which are arranged in opposite pairs, the two buttons in each pair being connected together and arranged on` alternate sides of the vertical position. 'I'he uppermost pair of these buttons is connected to the high resistance end of a resistance element 98, while progressively downwardly arranged pairs of buttons are connected to progressively lower resistance taps, the opposite end of the resistance element being connected to the lowermost buttons and to one side of an electrical energy source circuit, indicated by the binding Post I8.

It will be seen, therefore, that rotation of the rheostat arm in either direction away from the vertical will rst complete an electrical circuit :between the binding post 98 and a line I00 connected to the rheostat arm 90. At the time this contact is made the resistance in the circuit will be at a maximum. As the arm 90 moves progressively downwardly in either direction, resistance will be progressively removed from the circuit until when the lowermost buttons are reached, the resistance unit 96 will be entirely cut out of the circuit established through the rheostat. Further, it will be seen that since movement of the shaft 86 is brought about by movement of the stick I2, slight forward movement of the stick I2 will pull on the cable IGjthus causing the drum 84 and the shaft 88 to rotate in a clockwise direction, thus making contact with the first button to the right of the arm 90, thereby completing a high resistance circuit through the rheostat. Likewise, backward movement of the stick I2 will cause rotation of the shaft 86 in the opposite direction, thereby establishing high or low resistance connections with the buttons to the left of the arm Il, depending upon the degree of movement of the stick. i

The rheostat comprised of the arm 90, buttons 94 and resistance element I6 is connected in series with the reversing motor 62. 'I'he motor is theground.

3l is rotated about its transverse axis in such,

climbing attitude,

shown ascomprised of a ileld elanent il! and anarmature "Landisconnectedhymeans of' toggle trip arm 92 where it will be seen that the toggle lever indicated by the numeral lll extends upwardly into a position within the yoke H2 of the toggle trip arm 92. Initial rotational movement of the shaft 8S in one direction therefore will trip. the double pole, double throw toggle switch HIB in one direction, while initial movement of the shaft 86 in the oppositedirection will trip the toggle switch IBG in the opposite direction. Since the reversing motor 82 is connected through this reversing toggle switch, it will be seen that the direction of initial movement of the shaft I6 will determine' which direction the motor 62 will run. That is, slight backward movement of the stick i2 will trip the toggle switch lili in one direction and this switch is so connected to the motnr 62 that initial rotation of the motorwillbeinsuch adirection as tocause the sphere 3l and housing 20 to be lowered. Movement of the stick in a forwardly direction likewise will trip the toggle switch |06 in the opposite dlrection, thus establishing a circuit for rotating the motor $2 in the proper to raise the -sphere Il.

aAssumingthatthe contmlstlckisintheneuhal position, the device opemtes in the following manner: The neutral location of the stick causes the arm Sl to take the verticalposition shown in Fig. 2. Thus the -motor isnot energized and no vertical movement of the sphere 34 takes place The view seen'upon the screen l2 therefore remains constant as to size. Now if under these conditions the operator wishes to simulate a dive, the stick l2 is moved forwardly. This trips the toggle switch N8 and moves the rheostat arm I0, thus establishing a circuit through the motor 62. The circuit as thus established is initially of high resistance. The motor 62 therefore runs slowly, thus causing the sphere 34 slowly to ap- -proach the screen 42, thereby giving the impression that the operator is gradually approaching Simultaneously, of course, the sphere direction that the horizon line is raised toward the top of the screen, thus giving the illusion that the'plane is in a gliding attitude. Further forward movement of the stick increases the speed at which the sphere lis raised, thus giving the impression that the ground is being more rapidly approached, while simultaneously the horizon line is more rapidly moved upwardly.

ment oi the image such as would be' caused by moving the nose o! an airplane downwardly.

l If at any time by maneuvering the controls.4

the housing .2l is brought against either of the stops Il, it will remain'in'this position until the controls are moved in the opposite direction whereupon reversal of the position of the toggle switch l will causemovement of the housing 20 Y away from the stop against which it was im- B-, InFig.3ofthedrawings,lhaveshowna somewhat simpliedexpedient-for giving much the same illusion provided by the device above described. 'Ehe illusion is not so extensive, howy.

ever, but the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 3 is much more economical to construct and therefore is recommended in those instances in which the expenditure necessaryto provide the mechanism illustrated in Egal and 2 is not instilled.

The device illustrated in F153 is comprised of a spherical envelope III of transparent material. This envelope may be formed of glass or a transparent plastic material constructed in any desired manner. such as by molding in halves, the halves being later cemented together. This envelope is located/within the sphere rotating mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 20. It may be rotated and controlled through operation of half I2. simulates the Sky. The Sphere lli is If the stick is moved rearwardly somewhat to check the speed of the dive, the velocity 'of upward movement of the sphere 34 decreases, while if the stick is moved rearwardly past the neutral posltion so as to simulate placing the trainer in the the toggle switch IM will be tripped in the other direction, thus causing the sphere to recede from the screen 42, all of these movements being correlated with proper changes in the view upon the screen. For instance, placing the airplane controls in a diving attitude not only increases the size of the image, thus giving the impression that the operator is moving toward the earth, but it also causes a displace- Av"located within the envelope III in an oli center position with the earth simulating portion il! much-closer to the envelope than the skysimulating portion In. It is sewred in place by means of a plurality of posts |22 extending from the inner sphere to the envelope. If the inner sphere lli is of v'sumcient weight to noticeably aect the balance of the assembled sphere. the device can be balanced by means of counterweights located within the inner sphere.

The operation of this device is as follows: Whenever the controls are operated so as to place the aircraft in a diving or gliding attitude. the spheres will rotate so as to cause the horizon line to move upwardly upon the screen l2, thus bringing a larger portion of the earth simulating area of the sphere lli into view. The longer the controls are held in Ithis position, the straighter downwardly the airplane will appear to be pointed toward the earth, .and since the sphere H6 is mounted oi center. the effect will be to Acause a noticeable approach of the sphere toward the scree'n 42, that is, a shortening of the optical distance between these two elements. Therefore, whenever the operator places the aircraft in a diving attitude, the earth will appear to approach the operator. Conversely, when the nose of the airplane is elevated, the earth portion will appear to recede both from the operator and also downwardly on the screen I2.

Another feature of the device shown in Fig. 3 is of the sphere iii is formed in relief. That is, trees, bulldings, mountains and other earth formations are displayed in relief upon the globe rather than being merely painted thereo This gives the operator a third dimensional eiect which enhances the naturalness of the simulated view. It win be appreciated that when desired. the apparatus shown in Figs. l and 2 may be used together with a sphere comprisedof antransparent envelope lil enclosing an earth and sky simulating sphere with the earth portion shown in relief, and in which the circumscribed sphere is centrally located within the envelope. In this case the outer envelope provides merely a smooth surface better'adapted for operation with the mechanlsm located within the'housing 20, since as will be readily appreciated. the illustration of landmarks in relief upon the sphere H6 will necessarily produce a rough surfaced sphere, which is not well adapted to be driven by the mechanism in the housing 2l unless enclosed within a smooth envelope of the type shown.

While I have shown and described a' particular embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modi ncations and variations may be made therein without departing from the underlying principles of the invention.4

I claim:

l. In a pilot training device of the type in which movement of airplane controls produces movement of a scene projected. upon a screen in such a manner that changes in the projected stone simulate changes ln attitude o f the sirplane, means to produce relative approaching and receding movement between the scene and the screen so as to shorten and lengthen the optical and to lengthen said optical distance when saidairplane controls are moved in an opposite manner.

2. In a pilottraining device of the type in which movement of airplane controls produces movement of a scene projected upon a screen in such a manner that changes in the projected scene simulate changes in -attitude of the airplane. means to produce relative approaching and receding movement between the scene and the screen so as to shorten and lengthen the optical distance between these members, power driven means to produce said movement, means operated by the airplane controls to cause said power driven means to shorten the optical distance between the scene and the screen when the airplane controls are moved as though to place the simulated aircraft in a diving attitude and to lengthen said optical distance when said airplane controls are moved in an opposite manner, a movable projection lens arranged between the scene and the screen to project an image of the former upon the latter, and means to change the position of said lens simultaneously with changes in the optical distancebetween the scene and the screen so that said scene is always kept in substantial focus upon said screen.

3. In a pilot training device, a rotatable sphere having earth and sky simulated portions thereon. means to rotate said sphere, means to control the rotation of said sphere, the last said means including a set of airplane controls, a projection screen, optical means to project an image of a.

controls for causing said power driven means to move said sphere-toward saidscreen when the l airplane controls are moved as though to place the simulated aircraitin a diving attitude.

4..' In a pilot training device. o rotatable sphere having earth and slw simulated portions thereon.' means to rotate said sphere. means to control tuo rotation of said sphere the last said 5 means including a set of airplane controls. a projection-screemopticalmeans to project an image of a portion of the suriaceof said sphere on said screen, means mounting said sphere for movement toward and vaway from said screen so asto shorten and 'lengthen' the optical distance 4between these members.' power driven means for moving said sphere toward and away rom said screen, control means operated by said airplane controls for causing said power driven means to move said sphere toward said screen when the airplane controls are moved as though to place the simulated aircraft in a divingattitude, and

control means operated by said airplane controls tween the scene and the screen so as to shorten and lengthen the optical distance between these members. Power driven means to produce said movement. means operated by the airplane controls to cause said power driven means to shorten the optical distance between the scene and the screen when the airplane controls are moved as though to place the simulated aircraft in a diving attitude and to length said optical distance when said airplane controls are moved in an opposite manner, and means operated by said power driven means for moving said optical means so as to keep said view upon the screen in substantial iocus as said sphere from said scene.

6. In an airplanetrainer, a set of airplane controls, a rotatable sphere, said sphere having sky and earth simulating portions thereon, means to A-rotate said sphere, means operated by said airshorten and lengthen the optical distance between these members, power driven means for moving said sphere toward and away from said plane controls for determining the direction and velocity of rotation of said sphere, a projection screen, optical means for projecting a portion of the surface of said sphere upon said projection screen. and means for causing the view upon said screen to become enlarged when said airplane controls are moved as though to pui-the simulated aircraft into a diving attitude. the last said means comprising a substantially transparent sphere circumscribing the first said sphere, said spheres being arranged in eccentric relation to each other with the earth simulating portion of the inner sphere arranged closer to the surface of the outer sphere than the sky simulating portion thereof, and means to support said inner sphere in substantially iixed relation sphere.

'7. In an airplane trainer, a set of airplaneoontrols, a rotatable sphere, said sphere having sky and earth simulating portions thereon* means to rotate said sphere. means operated by said airplane controls for determining the direction and to said outer moves toward and away velocity of rotation of said sphere, a projectionscreen1 optical means for projecting a portion of the surface of said sphere upon said projection screen, and means for causingthe view upon said A' screen to become enlarged when said airplane controls are moved so as to put the simulated aircraft into a diving attitude. the last said means comprising a suixitantially transparent sphere circumscribing the iirst said sphere, said spheres being arranged in eccentric relation to each other with the earth simulating portion of the inner sphere arranged closer to the surface of the outer sphere than the sky simulating portion thereof. means to support said inner sphere in substantially iixed relation to said outer sphere, and at least'the earth simulating portion of said inner sphere being formed in relief.

8. In a training device, a spherical scene element adapted to be rotated about any axis in a. cradle comprising a smooth transparent sphere for engagement with the supporting and rotating mechanism. an opaque sphere located within said transparent sphere, said opaque sphere having sb and earth simulating portions formed thereon,andmeansxingtheinnersphereinsub stantially immovable relation to the outer sphere.

9. The combination called for in claim 8 in which the earth simulating portion of said inner Sphereis locatedclosertothesurfaceoftheouter sphere than the skysimulating portion of said inner sphere.

l0. The combination called for in olaim-8 in which the earth simulating portion ol' said inner `sphereislocatedclosertothesurfaceofifheouter sphere than the sky simulating portion ofsaid '1a. In a. puoi mining devise-of the type in which movement of airplane controls produces -movementofasceneproiectednponascreenin such a manner that changes in the proiected scene simulate-a view seen during similar changes in attitude of an airplane, reversing motor means to produce relative approaching and receding movement between the scene and the screen so as to shorten and lengthen the optical distance betweenthesemembers,arevexsingswitchcir' cuit toidetermine the direction of said movement, means operated by the airplane controlstoshiit said reversing switch circuit sons to shortenthe which at least the earth simulating portion of 4 0 4 said inner sphere is formed in relief.

12.1napilottrainlngdeviceofthetypein which movement of airplane controls produces movement of a scene 'projected upon a screen in such a manner that changes in the projected scene simulate the view seen during similar changes in attitude of an airplane, reversing motor means to produce relative approaching and receding movement between the scene and the screen so as to shorten and lengthen the distance between these members, a reversing scene and the screen when the airplane controls are moved as thoughto place the aircraft in a diving attitude and to lengthen said optical dis tance when said airplane controls are moved in an opposltemanneropticaldistancebetweenthesceneandthescreen when the airplane controls aremovedasthough toplacetheaircraftinadivmgattitudeandto lengthen said-optical distance when said airplane controlsaremovedinanoppositemannenmotor speed control means, and means to achiate the last said means to increase the motor speed as the controls are moved-as though to'place the simulated airplane in a more steeply climbing or divingattihlde.

14.1n a pilot training devlce.. a rotatable spherehaving earthandskysimulated portions thexeongmeansmrotatesaidspherameansto ccntroltlierotationotsaidspherathelastsaid meansincludlngasetotairplanecontrolaaxnojectionscxmoptioalmeanstopmiectanime ofaportignofthesurfaceotsaidsphereonsaid smemmeansmnuntingsaidsmeretormovenienttowardaud'zwrayfromsaidscreensoasto movementofascene Proiecteduponascreenin suchamannerthatchangesinthe projected scene simulate a view seen during similar changes in attitude cian airplane, meanstoproducerelative approaching and receding movement between the scene and the screen so as to shorten and lengthen the optical distance between these members, means to produce said movement, and means operated by the airplane controls to cause the last said means to shorten the optical distance between the scene and the screen when the airplane controls are moved as though toplace the .simulated aircraft in a diving attitude, and to lengthen said optical distance when said airplane controls are moved in an opposite manner.

cnmncmn' oF bol-inlichten. A

l* ,WILLIAM H. Emmen."

:mi- 1g reby'ertifid that 4ai-mn?l appears in the printed specification bf-thafb'vemunhered patent'requiring correctionas follows: Pag' A5 first 6,1 "I, fqr the wodafspis tp" read-#as thmxgh toe-; l @mumugq sgianettgrs Pian-.erm ahquldbe Ninth -this" correction there? that 'sme may' conformot tha 4:"eaooi'c lofthe calseir; the Patent 0f- .18e-a1) l' l Acting 'Commissioner' of Patents.

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