Importance

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Abstract

A vertical speed indicator uses a substantially rigid hollow closed air chamber; a capillary tube having a reduced inside diameter connected to the chamber for routing atmospheric air from an aircraft static system at a reduced flow rate into the chamber; a differential pressure transducer having two inlet ports; a pneumatic conduit connecting the chamber and one of the ports of the transducer for exposing that port to internal chamber air pressure; a pneumatic conduit connected to the other port for exposing that port to atmospheric pressure occurring within the static system; and electronic processing circuitry connected to the transducer for providing an indication of the vertical speed of the aircraft. The processing circuit first compensates the signal by varying its phase in a leading direction to at least offset any pneumatic induced lag occurring in the inventive VSI, and then amplifies and displays the result on a zero center analog meter or digitizes it for subsequent use by other airborne avionic systems. Alternatively, the compensated signal can be digitally averaged over a pre-defined time period to remove random noise and similar effects. The period of time over which a digital average is produced can be lengthened to eliminate adverse effects of unstable air or thermals occurring during climb out.

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First Claim